Washington Courts Report

In this episode of the Washington Courts Report, host Patric Haerle speaks with Marie Docter, Attorney at Briggs and Briggs and President of the Thurston County Bar Association, about the Lawyers in the Classroom program.

On Law Day on May 1, the Washington State Bar Association partnered with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Washington Supreme Court to launch a statewide classroom pledge. The initiative encourages lawyers across Washington to teach a civics lesson on or around Constitution Day to help strengthen civic understanding and bridge divides.

Marie shares her experiences participating in the program, including how it benefits students and practical advice for attorneys preparing to visit a classroom.

A great listen for anyone interested in civics education, public service, or supporting Washington’s future learners.

April is Second Chance Month. A month dedicated to informing and highlighting the many opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for people returning from incarceration.

To mark the occasion, host Patric Haerle sat down with the AOC’s own Yvonne Jones, a Senior Court Program Analyst, to discuss reentry programs, including: the kind of services they provide, why they’re needed and highlighting just a few of the many reentry programs in Washington.

It’s Civic Learning Week — a national effort to highlight the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening our democracy.

To mark the occasion, host Patric Haerle sits down with Supreme Court Justice Sal Mungia for a conversation on all things civics: why civics education matters, the role of Mock Trials and the Traveling Court program, his recent experience serving jury duty and what it taught him, his work with a local school district, and his recommendations for accessible civic resources.

Listen now and join the Civic Learning Week conversation.

Want to catch up on some of the biggest developments from the past year in Washington Courts? Tune in to the latest episode of Washington Courts Report!

In this episode, host Patric Haerle walks through key takeaways from the 2026 State of the Judiciary Report, released this week to inform lawmakers and the public about the challenges, innovations, leadership updates, and major court news from the past year.

Highlights include:
• Updates from the Supreme Court’s Minority and Justice Commission
• Newly adopted scoring changes for Washington’s Universal Bar Exam
• Progress in the Hope Card program and Blake relief efforts
• A historic transition underway at the Washington Supreme Court

New episodes are released monthly. Be sure to subscribe the Washington Courts YouTube page or follow Washington Courts Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to stay up to date.

We’d love to hear from you. Share what’s happening in your court or suggest future topics by emailing Patric.Haerle@courts.wa.gov.

What makes a great court administrator? Find out in the newest episode of Washington Courts Report!

In our January edition, host Patric Haerle talks with Marlynn Markley, the 2025 Court Manager of the Year, about her 43 years of service with Whitman County District Court and what it takes to be an effective court administrator.

In the second half, Patric is joined by Dawn Marie Rubio, State Court Administrator, and Linnea Anderson, San Juan County Juvenile Court Administrator — co-chairs of the Court Management Council. They share insights on the Council’s role, the award selection process, and the leadership qualities that make a court administrator stand out.

The Court Management Council presents this award annually to individuals whose leadership has transformed their courts and inspired others to take action for the greater good.

Keep an eye out for new podcast episodes releasing monthly by subscribing to the Washington Courts YouTube page or by following Washington Courts Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

We’d love to hear from you! Share what’s happening in your court or suggest topics you’d like us to explore. Send your ideas, news, or feedback to host Patric.Haerle@courts.wa.gov for consideration in future episodes.