Yesterday, I told you that a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former Northampton County Custody Master Lisa Tresslar had been put on hold by District Court Judge John Gallagher. I saw that as a sign that the parties were working on a settlement of Tresslar's claim of first amendment retaliation. I was wrong. Judge Gallagher apparently stayed the matter because he had heard enough. Yesterday, he granted a motion of summary judgment in favor of President Judge Craig Dally and Court Administrator Jermaine Greene and against Tresslar. Her claim has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning it's over for her.
Tresslar served as NorCo's first ever full-time Custody Master between 2014 and 2023. She had been Judge Michael Koury's Clerk and was lured into the role by then President Judge Steve Baratta. During her time as Custody Master, Tresslar became deeply concerned about proposed changes in custody guidelines. She believed they would force families to agree to settle custody disputes without vital evidence being heard by the courts that could endanger children. She voiced these concerns to President Judge Dally. She spoke in opposition to these changes at a meeting of the NorCo Bar association family law committee, although she claims she did that in her capacity as a citizen and not as Custody Master. She also spoke to investigators who were reviewing claims of judicial misconduct filed against two jurists.
Notwithstanding Tresslar's opposition to these changes, new custody guidelines were eventually imposed. In addition, Tresslar's role was reduced. She lost her supervisory power, and she was placed under a part-time custody master. Her workload was changed, and she resigned.
Without even reaching the question whether she suffered retaliatory behavior, Judge Gallagher concluded that her lawsuit must fail because her speech would only be protected if it was in her capacity as a private citizen, and not as a custody master. Moreover, even assuming that she could establish that her complaints about revised custody guidelines were made in her capacity as a private citizen, she never established that anyone on Northampton County's bench knew of them.
So ends a case with many twists and turns and the discovery that Tresslar may have played favorites with at least one attorney, Stan Margle. He was once her own attorney in her own custody battle, and discovery revealed several inappropriate text messages from Tresslar in which she appears to advise him on strategy and demeans another attorney opposing him.
You can read Judge Gallagher's opinion below.
Summary Judgment Against Tresslar in Federal Case by BernieOHare
What do you mean when you say she was "lured" into the position by then Judge Stephen Baratta.
ReplyDeleteShe is highly qualified with an excellent background, and that is what I meant. It was a poor word choice on my part.
DeleteThe court system reminds me of tRUMP - crooked as the Snake River.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment about her emails to Margle, why would you say it's inappropriate for a knowledgeable attorney (she was the court's child custody master) to advise her lawyer, Margle, about her own child custody case? And demeaning comments? All divorce or custody litigants usually despise opposing attorneys. Bernie, could you quote the emails so the reader can decide?
ReplyDelete6:35, She was not advising Stanley about her own case, which had been long over. She was advising him about cases that were before her and then before the judges. https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2025/10/former-custody-masters-federal-lawsuit.html
Delete""Seriously, the day you cross-examined Dr. B----, and the day you cross-examined U-----, I got weak in the knees. I, like, wanted to have your baby. ... When other lawyers complain I have a special relationship with you because you were once my lawyer, I always scoff at them, but privately I'm thinking, 'If you only knew ... ."
""He is none too bright. You will be splendid tomorrow. I wish I could be there to see it. Please delete these text messages!"
Margle also said he had help from a "little birdie who works at the courthouse."
Now how, if you were one of the cases she improperly informed or conspired with margle about, do you hold BOTH of them accountable? Is that even possible?
DeleteWell maybe that answers some questions about the company she keeps. When I was in front of as was another family I know she was horrible. Had judgments before people even spoke. I'm glad they dismissed her case. But I'm sure Tara just paided her off. He'll she still works for the county. How the hell does that work??????
ReplyDeleteShe does not work for Tara. She works for the DA, an independently elected office. She is paid by the county but Tara has zero control over hiring or firing decisions concerning her or anyone in the DA's office. That is his territory.
DeleteShe appears to be her own worst enemy
DeleteAnyone with an ounce of common sense saw this diva’s performance ending this way. How long until her Act II - filing her appeal to waste more taxpayer money for the courts and government litigants to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with Judge Gallagher's opinion here. Doesn't seem like there was ever much to this case.
ReplyDeleteI know you are impressed with her academic credentials although lots of very smart people simply don't have access to elite institutions and lots of wackos do. On the ground, Tressler ( for Barratta?) tried to remake the custody system in her image, used a private army of therapists to supplant judicial consideration, violated the confidentiality of her position, blatantly and maniputively. She had her own self aggrandizing agenda that was never best interests of the child. Her inappropriate relationship with Attorney Margle says it all.
ReplyDeleteLOL the "Greene" snake slithers away again.
ReplyDeleteDon’t you mean “rolls” away
DeleteYet another case of a court engaging in legal gymnastics to protect other members of their little club. Judges are not in the habit of supporting such challenges because it emboldens the citizens and gives us hope that such challenges stand a snowball's chance in hell of being successful. Keep throwing snowballs Lisa, no matter how high they turn up the heat.
ReplyDelete