Skip to main content
close

KingCounty.gov is an official government website. Here's how you knowexpand_moreexpand_less

account_balance

Official government websites use .gov

Website addresses ending in .gov belong to official government organizations in the United States.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites.

King County Logo

Photo of Judge Sandra Widlan

  • Courtroom Number: 4J
  • Bailiff: Kathryn Evans
  • Department: 53
  • Assignment: General Trials

 

Biography

Judge Widlan was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench on April 2, 2018, by Governor Jay Inslee. She assumed the position previously occupied by Hon. Mariane Spearman, who retired from the bench in March of that year.

Judge Widlan began her legal career as a law clerk to Chief Justice Barbara Durham of the Washington Supreme Court. She subsequently worked as a public defender for The Defender Association in Seattle. Thereafter, Judge Widlan was a partner at the law firm of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender.

Judge Widlan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from Northwestern University and her law degree from New York University, where she was the recipient of the Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Fellowship. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I am waiting for an order on pending motion. When can I expect to receive it?

Please email the bailiff at widlan.court@kingcounty.gov if you have not received a decision within two weeks of your hearing date.

How do I get a hearing date for my Summary Judgment motion? 

Email the bailiff at widlan.court@kingcounty.gov. Please include all counsel and pro se litigants on your email. When possible, request a hearing date for your summary judgment motion two to three months in advance of the dispositive motion's deadline in the case schedule. 
 

How do I request oral argument on a motion other than a Summary Judgment Motion?

Only summary judgment motions are entitled to oral argument. If you want oral argument on a motion other than a summary judgment motion, please note the motion without oral argument. State "ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED" on the first page of your motion or opposition. If the Court decides to allow oral argument, the bailiff will contact all parties to schedule a date and time for oral argument on the motion. If the Court declines to set oral argument, you will receive a courtesy copy of any order that is entered. 
 

How do I obtain a recording of the proceedings? 

Generally, there is no court reporter in the courtroom. Instead, there is an audio recording of all hearings. You may obtain a copy of your hearing from the Clerk's Office.
 

Do I have to comply with King County Local Civil Rule (LCR) 7(b)(5)(B)(iv)?

When submitting pleadings, please comply with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv) which provides: “Parties should highlight those parts [of the exhibits] upon which they place substantial reliance.” 
 

What are the scheduling requirements for Motions to Dismiss?

Motions to Dismiss have the same scheduling requirements as Motions for Summary Judgment but should be noted without oral argument. LCR 12(d).
 

Does Judge Widlan have judicial externs?

Judge Widlan provides judicial externship opportunities to law students if they can receive academic credit. If you would like to apply, please send your application materials to widlan.court@kingcounty.gov. These should include cover letter (indicating which semester you are interested in applying for), resume, transcript, writing sample, and list of references.

How should I submit working copies of the pleadings?

Judge Widlan prefers to receive electronic working copies submitted to the Clerk using the Clerk’s eFiling Application pursuant to LGR 30(b)(4)(A)(iii). If a party’s submission exceeds the 500-page limit, the party may request prior permission from Judge Widlan’s bailiff to deliver the working copies on a thumb drive or in hard copy. Please do not email any working copies without prior permission. Working copies should have the judge’s name and the date and time of the hearing in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the motion. 

Services

Requests for oral argument on Non-Dispositive Motions

If you wish to have oral argument on a non-dispositive motion, please note the motion without oral argument and note "ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED" on the first page of your motion or opposition. Judge Widlan will consider the request when she reviews the motion on the date noted for hearing without oral argument. If the Court decides to allow oral argument, the bailiff will contact all parties to schedule a date and time for oral argument on the motion. If the Court declines to set oral argument, you will receive a courtesy copy of any order that is entered. Digitally Recorded Courtroom Judge Widlan operates in an FTR courtroom, where proceedings are digitally recorded. There is no court reporter. You may obtain a copy of your hearing from the Clerk's Office copy center. You will need to submit a completed Request Form.

Hearings without Oral Argument

If your hearing is noted without oral argument, please email the bailiff at widlan.court@kingcounty.gov if you have not received a decision within two weeks of your hearing date.

Compliance with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv)

Please comply with LCR 7(b)(5)(B)(iv) which provides: “Parties should highlight those parts [of the exhibits] upon which they place substantial reliance.” 

Motions to Dismiss

Motions to Dismiss have the same scheduling requirements as Motions for Summary Judgment but should be noted without oral argument. LCR 12(d)

Judicial externships

Judge Widlan provides judicial externship opportunities to law students throughout the year. Applicants must be able to receive academic credit for the experience. If you would like to apply, please send your application materials directly to the judge's mailing address. These should include cover letter (indicating which semester you are interested in applying for), resume, transcript, writing sample, and list of references.

Electronic working copies

Judge Widlan prefers to receive electronic working copies submitted to the Clerk using the Clerk’s eFiling Application pursuant to LGR 30(b)(4)(A)(iii). If a party’s submission exceeds the 500-page limit, it may request prior permission from Judge Widlan’s bailiff to deliver the working copies in PDF format, either on disk or thumb drive (and delivered to the Judge’s Mailroom). Prior permission should be requested by sending an email to widlan.court@kingcounty.gov. Please do not email any working copies directly to the Court or to her law clerk/bailiff without prior permission. Working copies should have the judge’s name and the date and time of the hearing in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the motion. Please provide only copies of the cases that you are substantially relying on.

expand_less