Affair with lawyer linked to judge's resignation

An "inappropriate relationship" with a Federal Way public defender likely played a role in a local judge's decision to step down.

With more details of the abrupt resignation of Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Colleen Hartl coming to light, the Associated Press reported January 10 that Hartl may have admitted to colleagues at an office holiday party that she had slept with attorney Sean Cecil, one of three public defenders trying cases in the city court.

The City of Federal Way issued a press release December 19 indicating that Hartl made the decision to step down "immediately, citing personal and health reasons."

The document made no mention of Hartl's personal affairs, but offered an amicable farewell from Federal Way City Manager Neal Beets, thanking her "for her dedication, service and commitment."

Until the AP story broke, however, no details regarding those personal and health reasons surfaced.

According to colleague and fellow Municipal Judge Michael Morgan, Hartl resigned just five days after a December 14 holiday party she hosted in which she told her guests, including five court employees, that she had engaged a sexual relationship with Cecil.

The story also indicates that Hartl showed her guests a text message from Cecil, describing how the judge looked in tight jeans.

Morgan, who attended the party but left before Hartl's confession, told the Associated Press that he obtained this information from a court employee who witnessed the admission.

When Hartl returned to work on Monday, Morgan requested she not preside over any cases. Hartl resigned that Wednesday.

According to Morgan, the 46-year-old Hartl claims to have misspoke during the party. The judge told Morgan that she was drunk and denied having sex with Cecil. However, Hartl admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship, stating she had flirted with Cecil and the two had been out on a date.

Morgan then issued a complaint with the state bar association and put into action an order that would prevent Cecil from representing indigent clients in Municipal Court.

City Attorney Pat Richardson said that she did not believe there were any cases that would be appealed because of Cecil and Hartl's relationship. As a public defender, Cecil appeared in front of Hartl three times a week on average. King 5 News reported that as many as eight cases might have to be retried because of Cecil and Hartl's relationship.

Hartl took her position on the Federal Way bench in May 2007. Before her seven-month post in Municipal Court, Hartl held similar positions in Des Moines and Normandy Park.

Cecil is an attorney for Federal Way firm Geiersbach and Kraft. He is a 2005 graduate of Lewis and Clark Law School and passed the Washington State Bar in 2006.

Subject to City Council approval, in January Beets will begin the process of seeking an appointed successor to fill out the rest of Hartl's term. The seat will be open for election in 2009.