Honorable Willie Gregory
Elected Term of Office: Jan. 2023 - Jan. 2027
Judge Willie J. Gregory received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Seattle University School of Law in 1989. He was elected to the Seattle Municipal Court and began his first term in January 2011. Judge Gregory currently presides over Veterans Treatment Court and a General Trial court; previously he presided over Community and Mental Health Courts and served as Presiding Judge April 2020 - July 2022.
Judge Gregory developed an interest in law when serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Police Officer. He joined the U. S. Air Force as an airman basic and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant at which time he pursued his bachelor's degree and then a Juris Doctorate. He started his legal career as a public defender with Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA). During his 14 years at ACA, he developed experience as both a staff attorney and as a supervising attorney. As a supervisor, he trained and managed the attorneys and staff in the Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Court, the Misdemeanor Appeals and the Juvenile Court units. Judge Gregory left ACA to start his own firm, where he worked until 2010.
Judge Gregory is a member of a number of community legal organizations including the Washington State Bar Association, the King County Bar Association, the Loren Miller Bar Association, and the District and Municipal Court Judges Association, serving on the Bylaws and Long-range Planning committees, and is the chair of the Diversity Committee. He is one of several judges who participates in the Crime Solvers program held at the Pacific Science Center.
Judge Gregory has also volunteered as a Judge for Mock Trial & Moot Court competitions at Seattle University School of Law and University of Washington School of Law as well as served as a volunteer Attorney Rater for YMCA High School Mock Trials. Judge Gregory has served on a number of Boards for organizations such as SouthEast Effective Development, Rainier Scholars Parent Advisory Council, Compass Housing Alliance, and the Seattle University's Law Alumni Board.
COURTROOM CONDUCT
GENERAL RULES FOR COUNSEL & PARTICIPANTS
- Be on time. Ideally, court begins at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Attorneys should be ready and prepared to begin at that time.
- Respect people's time. Have your witnesses present and ready to testify at the appropriate time.
- Remember that "brevity is the soul of wit." Everyone appreciates a concise well-constructed presentation.
- Turn off all sound, including ringers, on electronic devices such as smart phones, pagers, watch alarms, etc.
- Stand to address the court unless it is difficult for you to do so.
- Treat everyone in the courtroom with civility and respect.
- Do not interrupt or talk at the same time as someone else who is speaking to the court.
- Do not use demeaning or offensive language in the courtroom unless eliciting or quoting factual material.
- Do not bring food, beverages (except water), or chewing gum into the courtroom.
- Individuals on the benches must remain silent unless asked to address the court.
- Contact the bailiff before interrupting the clerks while court is in session.
- Clean up before you leave. Do not leave paper clips, water cups, writing utensils, papers, etc. at counsel's table.
Thank you for your cooperation.