On Friday, May 30, 2025, Bremerton Municipal Court Judge Tracy S. Flood asked the Washington State Supreme Court for a two-week extension to file her opening brief in her ongoing disciplinary case, moving the deadline from June 2, 2025, to June 16, 2025.
The request was submitted through her attorney, Anne Bremner, and is the second such extension sought in the proceedings. The Commission on Judicial Conduct, the respondent in the case, has no objection to the extension, and both parties have agreed to accommodate necessary scheduling adjustments.
The Supreme Court had previously set a briefing schedule on April 3, 2025, after receiving the case record from the Commission on Judicial Conduct on April 2, 2025. According to the schedule, Judge Flood was initially required to submit her opening brief by May 2, 2025. The Commission on Judicial Conduct was then given 30 days to file its response, with Judge Flood allotted an additional 30 days to submit a reply brief. The court is expected to set a date for oral arguments, likely during its fall term, depending on the submission timeline.
The case stems from allegations of unprofessional conduct by Judge Flood, who was suspended from her judicial role on January 17, 2025, following findings by the Commission on Judicial Conduct. The commission’s investigation, prompted by complaints dating back to 2023, found that Judge Flood fostered a hostile work environment through disrespectful and condescending behavior toward court staff. The investigation also identified issues of mismanagement, including delays in court operations and improper handling of court funds, which contributed to significant staff turnover and operational disruptions.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct has recommended Judge Flood’s removal from the bench, citing multiple violations of judicial conduct codes.
The Supreme Court’s review of the case is intended to ensure a thorough and transparent examination of these allegations, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct and public trust in the judicial system.
Judge Flood’s legal team has argued that the complaints against her may be influenced by racial bias, noting her historic election in 2021 as the first Black woman to serve as a judge in Kitsap County. However, the Commission on Judicial Conduct found no substantial evidence to support claims that her race was a factor in the complaints about her conduct.
The motion for the extension cites challenges faced by Judge Flood’s legal team, including the departure of prior counsel, Nick Gross, on April 25, 2025. Gross, who had been co-counsel during the initial fact-finding hearing and managed much of the case, left the Frey Buck firm, taking significant institutional knowledge with him. The volume of case materials and other professional obligations has further delayed the preparation of the opening brief, prompting the request for additional time.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
