Judge William L. Downing: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

King County Superior Court, Department retired

Appointed By: Gov. Booth Gardner

Biography

The Hon. William L. Downing (Ret.) served as a judge for the King County Superior Court in Washington. Downing was appointed to the bench by former Governor Booth Gardner in 1989. He retired on January 6, 2017 and joined JAMS as a private mediator and arbitrator.

Over the course of his judicial career, Downing received national attention for his ruling that same-sex marriages are legal in Washington.

Prior to his appointment, Downing worked for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1978 to 1989). During his tenure there, he started as a deputy prosecuting attorney, rising through the ranks to become a senior deputy prosecuting attorney.

Downing earned a B.A. from Vassar College in 1971. He spent the next several years working as a deckhand for the American Commercial Barge Line (New Orleans), the Federal Barge Line (New Orleans), and the F/V Patti Lu (Blaine) before completing a J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law in 1978.

His memberships have included the Public Disclosure Commission, the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court, the Washington State Center for Court Research Advisory Board, and the Superior Court Judges Association. He also sat on the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee, the Bench-Bar-Press Liaison Committee, and the YMCA Youth & Government Board of Directors.

He is a recipient of the James Madison Award from the Washington Coalition for Open Government (2019), the Flame of Democracy Award from the Counsel on Public Legal Education (2018), the Outstanding Judge Award from the King County Bar Association (2006), and the Judge of the Year Award from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (2005).

Recent Cases by Hon. William L. Downing

AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS CO VS HARRIS

On January 5, 2017 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Jan 05, 2017

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KHUH VS LY

On January 4, 2017 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2017

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

JIMENEZ VS PEREZ VALGAS

On December 30, 2016 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 30, 2016

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CAPITAL ONE BANK VS OCSAN

On December 30, 2016 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 30, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

APARICIO-SANTIAGO VS BROWN

On December 29, 2016 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 29, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

HOWARD S WRIGHT CONSTRUCTORS VS DOLL ET ANO

On December 28, 2016 an administrative law review case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 28, 2016

Status

Relief Denied

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Administrative Law Review

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

BREED VS BREED

On December 28, 2016 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 28, 2016

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

DOUVIER DBA VS MICKELSON ET AL

On December 27, 2016 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 27, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KEILIN VS COOK

On December 27, 2016 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 27, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ABDON NKA VS ABDON

On December 22, 2016 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2016

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

JONES ET ANO VS DRAHOSZ ET ANO

On December 22, 2016 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

YISHMAEL VS AMERICAN BROKERS CONDUIT ET AL

On December 22, 2016 a miscellaneous, civil (2) case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Miscellaneous, Civil (2)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

SIMONDS VS STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS CO

On December 21, 2016 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 21, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

PEREDA VS IMAN ET AL

On December 21, 2016 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 21, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CALIBER HOME LOANS INC VS BROUILETTE ET ANO

On December 20, 2016 a foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 20, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Foreclosure

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 17, 2022

CALIBER HOME LOANS INC VS BROUILETTE ET ANO

On December 20, 2016 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 20, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 07, 2025

FINDAHL VS POOL BROTHERS CONST ET ANO

On December 16, 2016 a quiet title case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 16, 2016

Status

Relief Denied

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Quiet Title

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

FINDAHL VS POOL BROTHERS CONST ET ANO

On December 16, 2016 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 16, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 26, 2023

TAPASA NKA VS TAPASA

On December 15, 2016 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2016

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ACTIVE EXCAVATOR RENTALS INC VS TIRUPATI INC ET ANO

On December 15, 2016 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

MCCELLAN VS DIEZ

On December 14, 2016 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 14, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

DINI VS HUSSEIN

On December 13, 2016 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 13, 2016

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

COPPER HORSE FARM VS PHILLIPS DBA

On December 9, 2016 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 09, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

DEUTSCHE BANK NATL TRUST CO VS SENGVILAY ET AL

On December 8, 2016 a foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge William L. Downing presiding.

Filed

Dec 08, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. William L. Downing 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for William L. Downing

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Foreclosure

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

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About

William L. Downing
Current Appointment King County Superior Court, Retired	King County Superior Court, Retired
Education J.D., University of Washington School of Law - 1978 B.A., Vassar College - 1971	J.D., University of Washington School of Law - 1978 B.A., Vassar College - 1971

Documents related to William L. Downing

FNFCL - Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - King County Superior Court

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Mediator and Arbitrator	JAMS	King County, Washington
Judge	Superior Court of Washington	King County, Washington
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Office of the Prosecuting Attorney	King County, Washington

Articles About William L. Downing:

Ballotpedia: William Downing

The Seattle Clemency Project: Hon. William Downing

Wikipedia: William L. Downing

Bar Bulletin: Outstanding Judge: William L. Downing

JAMS: Judge William L. Downing (Ret.)

Law Firms

Judge William L. Downing: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Recent Cases by Hon. William L. Downing

About

Documents related to William L. Downing

Court Info

Career History

Articles About William L. Downing: