Auburn seeks two judges for its own municipal court

Published 12:04 pm Thursday, April 16, 2026

When the city of Auburn ended its 13-year-old contract with King County District Court on the last day of 2025, it had already decided to stand up its own municipal court.

Before the court opens it doors for business in January 2027, the city needs to pick two judges. No decisions have been made, and the city has not yet disclosed how many candidates have applied.

The first candidate to interview, Matthew Leyba, came to a special council work session at 5:30 p.m. April 13 to introduce himself to city leaders and the public, and explain just what sort of judge he would be.

“Auburn is creating its own court,” said Leyba. “That’s so cool to think about, and it is something that truly excites me, and it was the leading reason I decided to apply for this job and this opportunity.”

Leyba has practiced law in Western Washington for more than 20 years, and recently began serving as a judge pro-tem in Renton Muncipal Court.

Leyba, a Salt Lake City, Utah, native, moved to Washington state in 2003 after graduation from the University of Idaho to attend law school at Gonzaga University in Spokane. Following graduation he went to work for the King County Public Defender’s office in Seattle, practicing Seattle Municipal Court and other courts throughout the county.

In 2010, Leyba opened a law practice focusing on criminal cases throughout Western Washington. He still maintains practice, though he has scaled it back a bit back because in 2022, he said, he began serving as a judge pro-tem in King County District Court and a presiding judge in various locales, including in Auburn.

About a year and a half ago, Leyba started serving as a judge pro-tem in Renton Municipal Court to pick up, he said, more experience as a judge.

Councilmembers had questions.

“In light of this opportunity being different in that we are moving away from King County courts and moving to stand up our own,” asked Kate Baldwin, “what would you want to do differently than what you see in the courts that you operate in today?”

“One of the things that a lot of courts are implementing since COVID is Zoom appearances,” Leyba answered. “I think that’s a really, really good thing for all parties. As someone whose job is to go into court, sometimes I forget that other people have jobs, other people have other responsibilities or can’t get a ride to court, or don’t have a vehicle, and so it is huge for the community that they can still participate in their case.”

Councilmember Lisa Stirgus asked Lebya how he would gauge a year or two down the line that the court is a success.

“If the court can be something that the city of Auburn is proud of, that they have trust in, if the court can be clear, and fair, and efficient, and transparent and hold people accountable, then that’s a success in my book,” Lebya answered.