Washington Courts: News and Information

Public welcome to attend, ask questions as Court of Appeals, Div. I hears cases May 28 at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon

A panel of judges from Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in three cases and then take questions from the audience during a visit to the Mount Vernon campus of Skagit Valley College on May 28, 2025.

The hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Tarro Theater, located at 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, WA. The public is welcome to attend the court proceedings and to learn more about the role and operations of the Court of Appeals (COA) during a Q&A session directly following oral arguments.

The hearings will also be livestreamed and recorded by TVW.

COA Division I Chief Judge Cecily C. Hazelrigg has taken the lead on behalf of the court in coordinating and supporting a number of community outreach events in the northwest part of the state. This is the third consecutive year of collaboration with Skagit Valley College on traveling court.

“Division I is deeply grateful for opportunities to partner with educational institutions like Skagit Valley College in in order to promote both civics education and transparency in government,” Chief Judge Hazelrigg said. “It is exciting to step off the bench and into our communities, to be able to speak with our neighbors about the work that we do at the Court of Appeals. We are so very lucky to have like-minded partners in the administration and on the faculty of SVC.”

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Judge David S. Mann (King County), Chief Judge Cecily C. Hazelrigg (Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island Counties), and Judge J. Michael Díaz (King County) will hear arguments in the following cases:

• 864025 – State of Washington v. Christopher A. Nielsen 
• 870122 – Scheffer Holdings, LLC v. Robert Sternhagen 
• 867458 – Scotsman Guide, Inc. v. Brian Simmons 

Each argument will last approximately 20 minutes. Documents filed in these and all cases being heard by the Court of Appeals can be found in the Appellate Court Public Document Portal.

Chief Judge Hazelrigg will also participate in a panel discussion on the separation of powers doctrine on Tuesday, May 27 from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. in Tarro Theater. 

This panel will bring together individuals who are serving in important roles in the three branches of our state government to discuss how law is developed, the interactions between the three branches of government, and how individuals working in the judicial, legislative, and executive branches navigate competing demands in the work that they do for our communities.

While all three divisions of the Court of Appeals may hear cases from trial courts throughout the state, Division I, located in Seattle, covers the northwest region of King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island Counties.

Further information on the history, members and operations of the three divisions of the Washington Court of Appeals is available at Washington State Courts - Appellate and Trial Courts.

Contact: Court of Appeals, Div. I Clerk Lea Ennis, (206) 464-7750, Lea.Ennis@courts.wa.gov.