Judge Thomas J. Felnagle: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Pierce County Superior Court, Department retired

Appointed By: Gov. William Booth Gardner

Biography

The Hon. Thomas J. Felnagle (Ret.) was a judge for the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Booth Gardner in 1992. Felnagle retired in 2014.


Over the course of his judicial career, he served as presiding judge of the Juvenile Court and served two terms as presiding judge of the Superior Court.


He received a B.A. in history from the University of Puget Sound in 1970. Felnagle then completed a J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law in 1973.


After completing the Oregon bar exam, he later relocated to Washington, where he worked as an intern with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office until passing the state's bar exam.


In 1974, Felnagle began his legal career as a partner at Estes, Damis & Felnagle.


After some time in private practice, he and his wife Debra Mumm undertook a two-year volunteer program to teach English to farmworkers as part of a Polish agricultural institute in 1982. The two later moved to Poland, where they taught briefly until the country was forced into martial law by the Soviet Union. They continued their teaching pursuits in Austria and later in Egypt, where they taught English to Eastern Orthodox Christian Monks. The couple eventually returned to their volunteer assignment in Poland after the political unrest there had stabilized.


Felnagle returned to Washington in 1984 at which time he joined the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His first assignment included serving as chief of the Drug Unit, and he served in that position until being promoted to assistant chief criminal deputy prosecutor the following year. He would cap off his career there as chief criminal deputy prosecutor.


In 1990, Felnagle became legal counsel to then-Governor Gardner, a position he held briefly until receiving the Governor’s appointment to the Superior Court in 1992.


After retiring from the bench, Felnagle formed Black Robe Dispute Resolution Services, PLLC alongside two of his former judicial colleagues, Ron Culpepper (Ret.) and Brian Tollefson (Ret.).


He has served as a board member of the Pierce County Homes for Youth and Chrestos Counseling Center. Felnagle also served as vice-chair of the Washington State Sentencing Guideline Commission and as a former president of the Puget Sound Inn of Court and the Pierce County Hilltop Optimists Club.


He was born in Los Angeles, California.

Recent Cases by Hon. Thomas J. Felnagle

On January 25, 2021 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 13, 2022

On January 11, 2021 a dissolution with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Thomas J. Felnagle presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2021

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Thomas J. Felnagle Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas J. Felnagle

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Dissolution with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On January 4, 2021 a domestic violence protection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2021

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Domestic Violence Protection

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

May 06, 2021

On July 6, 2020 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jul 06, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On February 6, 2020 a domestic violence protection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Feb 06, 2020

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Domestic Violence Protection

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2022

On January 21, 2020 a dissolution with no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 21, 2020

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Dissolution with No Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2022

On January 8, 2020 a dissolution with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2020

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Dissolution with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 13, 2022

On April 9, 2019 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Estate

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2021

On March 13, 2019 a transcript of judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Transcript of Judgment

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2021

On January 28, 2019 a legal separation (old code) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 28, 2019

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Legal Separation (OLD CODE)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2022

On January 14, 2019 a transcript of judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Transcript of Judgment

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 20, 2023

On January 8, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2019

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 13, 2022

On January 7, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2019

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On January 4, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2019

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On January 2, 2019 an uresa recip resp in-county (3) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 02, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

URESA Recip Resp In-County (3)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2021

On February 27, 2018 a foreign judgment type 2 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Feb 27, 2018

Status

Foreign,Sister-State Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Foreign Judgment Type 2

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On February 21, 2018 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Feb 21, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On January 31, 2018 a tort motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 31, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Tort Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 06, 2021

On January 25, 2018 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

On January 4, 2018 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2018

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2021

On January 4, 2018 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2018

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2023

On January 3, 2018 a dissolution with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 03, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Dissolution with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 13, 2022

On January 3, 2018 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 03, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 01, 2022

On January 3, 2018 a dissolution with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge THOMAS J. FELNAGLE presiding.

Filed

Jan 03, 2018

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. THOMAS J. FELNAGLE Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for THOMAS J. FELNAGLE

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Category

Dissolution with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2022

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