Tenaya Scheinman Appointed to King County Superior Court

Governor Ferguson appoints Tenaya Scheinman to King County Superior Court

April 15, 2026

Story Body OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of attorney Tenaya Scheinman to the King County Superior Court. Scheinman’s appointment, effective May 1, fills the position that Judge Jim Rogers’ retirement will vacate.

Scheinman is a career litigator with more than 20 years of experience. Since 2024, she has been an attorney at the King County Inquest Program in Seattle, where she presents evidence to juries investigating the facts and circumstances of deaths involving law enforcement. She also serves as a judge pro tempore in King County District Court, Snohomish County District Court and Edmonds Municipal Court.

“Tenaya Scheinman will be an excellent addition to the King County bench,” Governor Ferguson said. “Her commitment to our justice system combined with her broad legal experience will serve Washingtonians well.”

“I am deeply honored by the trust the Governor has shown in me with this appointment,” Scheinman said. “I believe that I will be able to make an important contribution to the judiciary with my decades of trial experience and my understanding of the challenges accessing justice faced by many in our community.”

Before joining the King County Inquest Program, Scheinman served for 16 years as a public defender in King County, where she was named a Senior Attorney in 2017. As a public defender, she represented hundreds of clients in a variety of criminal proceedings, trying over 35 cases to juries and dozens of bench trials. She started her career litigating complex securities fraud cases at the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Seattle.

Along the way, she survived vocal cord cancer, mentored young attorneys, volunteered as an attorney with the Northwest Immigration Rights Project and was a fellow at the Judicial Institute.

Scheinman is an avid bicycle commuter who enjoys exploring and connecting with King County’s neighborhoods as she rides through. She volunteers with the Cascade Bicycle Club, including delivering groceries by bicycle to neighbors in need.

Scheinman earned her bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and her law degree from the University of Virginia.

Media Contacts

Brionna Aho, Governor's Communications Director
Brionna.aho@gov.wa.gov
360-628-3843