Trial Magazine

Sheila LaRose, a 50-year-old attorney for the Public Defender Association, represented Roe, a client accused of stalking a young woman who worked at a local mall. Roe allegedly became obsessed with LaRose, calling her 10 to 20 times a day to express his love for her. Nevertheless, LaRose’s supervisors did not remove her from Roe’s case.

When Roe was released from jail, he showed up at LaRose’s office; left things on her car, including thong underwear and a negligee; and went to her home on multiple occasions. Roe also threatened to kill LaRose’s friend, who had been staying with her overnight when Roe came to LaRose’s home. LaRose’s supervisors again allegedly did nothing to stop Roe’s escalating behavior.

Roe was found guilty of felony stalking and went to prison. He was later released and classified as a level-three sex offender. He subsequently returned to prison after being convicted for failing to register as a sex offender.

LaRose was diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, which led to her medical termination from her job. She has been unable to return to work.

LaRose sued King County, Wash., and the Public Defender Association, alleging a gender-based hostile work environment under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant allowed a convicted stalker to repeatedly call, harass, and stalk her and did not reassign her or inform the police. The plaintiff’s lawsuit was dismissed on summary judgment; however, an intermediate appellate court reversed, holding that an employer may be liable for employee harassment by a nonemployee.

The jury awarded $7 million plus attorney fees and costs.

Citation: LaRose v. King Cty., No. 15-2-13418-9 (Wash. Super. Ct. Pierce Cty. Oct. 21, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member James W. Kytle, Mary R. Mann, and Susan Mindenbergs, all of Seattle.