Judge Jessica Murphy Manca

Biographies

Judge Jessica Manca

Judge Manca was appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson. She was appointed to Department 22, the position previously occupied by Judge Karen Matson Donohue.

Judge Manca graduated from Harvard University and University of Washington School of Law. After clerking for a federal judge, she gained over 15 years of trial experience as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. She served as a Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) Attorney for the Western District of Washington, handling complex cybercrimes, financial crimes, violent crimes, and criminal civil rights violations.

Motions to Continue Trial in Civil Cases

The parties should review and comply with LCR 40(e). If a trial continuance is granted, Judge Manca will direct the parties to confer and propose a new case schedule. The proposed case schedule must be submitted no later than 20 days after the order changing the trial date is signed.

Working Copies for Civil Motions

Department 22 reviews most submissions in paper copy. Working copies may be submitted via e-Working Copies or to the Judge’s mailroom. The Court does not accept working copies via email unless specifically requested. 

All motions, including stipulated motions, must be noted pursuant to LCR 7(b) and filed with the clerk. Working copies should have the judge’s name and the date and time of the hearing in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the motion. 

For contested motions, the Court will accept proposed order(s) via e-Working Copies or in Word format via email with all parties copied on that email. The Court appreciates updated versions of the proposed order that take into account all documentation filed regarding the pending motion.

Stipulations and agreed orders may be submitted to the court via e-Working copies or to the Judge’s mailroom.

Dispositive Motions and Hearing Requests in Civil Cases

If you are setting a dispositive motion and need a hearing date and time, you must e-mail the Bailiff at manca.court@kingcounty.gov to schedule time on her calendar. If you do not have access to e-mail, please call the above number. Dispositive motions are generally set on Friday mornings (at 9 am, 10 am, or 11 am). Please call or email to schedule your hearing at least 2 months prior to the hearing date you would like to request.

Most other motions do not require oral argument under the Civil Rules or Local Rules. If a party requests oral argument, the motion should be noted as "Oral Argument Requested." After the Court has reviewed all briefing (moving papers, responses, and replies), and if the Court determines oral argument or evidentiary hearing is appropriate, the Bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for the hearing.

Trial Procedures for Civil Cases

The Court will schedule a pretrial conference with the parties a few weeks before your trial date. At a pretrial conference, the parties should be prepared to address: 

(1) the parties’ readiness for trial;

(2) the anticipated length of trial; 

(3) whether Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has been completed; 

(4) special scheduling needs, such as the need for interpreters and/or experts;

The pretrial order will provide instructions for submitting electronic exhibits to the court, and you can also find those instructions on the Clerk’s website.