Donna Erickson v. Pierce County John Ladenburg, Donna Erickson v. Pierce County John Ladenburg

Erickson brought this action against Pierce County and her supervisor, Laden-burg, alleging a claim for wrongful termination of her employment. The action was brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 . Erickson claims a violation of her constitutional rights under the First Amendment, asserting that her discharge was because of her political support for her former supervisor, whom Ladenburg had defeated in the election. She also claims that she was deprived of a liberty interest without due process because of damage to her reputa tion. The district court dismissed the due process claim on summary judgment, but permitted the First Amendment claim to go to the jury. Pierce County and Ladenburg appeal the judgment on the jury’s $75,000 verdict and the award of $110,000 in attorney fees. Erickson cross-appeals the summary judgment on her due process claim. We affirm the district court’s summary judgment on the due process claim but reverse the judgment on the First Amendment claim. The district court jurisdiction is based on 28 U.S.C. § 1343 . Our appellate jurisdiction is based on 28 U.S.C. § 1291 .

The issues on appeal are (1) whether the jury verdict in favor of Erickson was supported by…