Snohomish County pays former court worker to settle lawsuit

Snohomish County has paid a former court worker $85,000 after she agreed not to file a civil lawsuit alleging that her demotion was retaliation for cooperation with a 2005 state investigation of a judge.

Sherree Marler, 52, had been the top supervisor in Snoho­mish County District Court’s South Division in Lynnwood before she was demoted and subsequently left the job in September 2006.

A 26-year worker for that court, Marler filed a claim March 27 against the county alleging that her employment was “terminated” without notice in retaliation for her testimony before the state Judicial Conduct Commission.

Her lawyer, Jean Huffington of Seattle, said a lawsuit was prepared, but she continued to negotiate with the county and didn’t file it.

Marler and the county came to an agreement in November, and the county paid Marler the money last month, Huffington said.

“It was a resolution that ­enabled both of them to proceed satisfactorily,” Huffington said.

Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Steven Bladek said that any claim can be a risk to an employer.

“It was determined, as a business decision, this is the best course of action for the county,” Bladek said.

The settlement resolves all of Marler’s claims.

The county didn’t admit any wrongdoing, according to the settlement papers. The payment means that the two “are finally, fully and fairly settling” the issues between them.

“They both reached a decision this was a better outcome than a protracted fight,” Huffington said.

Marler’s claim in 2007 alleged that there was nothing about her job performance that warranted ending her employment as supervisor, and she had been given continuous positive feedback on her performance.

Her last performance review, in January 2006, was the only one that was not entirely positive, the claim said. The review set goals for her, “which she successfully and demonstrably completed by June 2006,” it said.

Marler alleged that she was punished because she cooperated with the commission’s investigation of Judge Timothy Ryan.

Ryan was given a reprimand in 2005 by the commission, a judicial watchdog organization that investigates complaints and questionable conduct of judges.

A reprimand is a mild form of punishment. Ryan was punished because he had agreed to officiate at weddings during work hours and accepted cash for his services.

Ryan could not be reached Tuesday. Earlier, he told The Herald that Marler was demoted due to her job performance.

Marler has found a new job, working for the municipal court in Kirkland. She said she wants to put the dispute with the county behind her.

“It’s a relief,” she said, “but there are parts of me that will always miss South District (Court). It was an enjoyable place to work.”

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or jhaley@heraldnet.com.