We counsel and advocate for employers and employees. Our experience working on both sides sharpens our instincts for the best possible outcomes. Employment problems raise economic, privacy and morale issues that are minimized with early evaluation and resolution. We have found that conducting a prompt and thorough initial investigation of the issues allows us to work with you to measure risk and benefit and decide on the best approach.
We are committed to excellence and are well-respected for our work. Whether you are looking for advice on a limited issue, a partner for effective negotiating or attorneys who will aggressively litigate an individual or a class-based dispute, we have the skill for the job.
FOR EMPLOYERS
Advice and Counseling
We provide practical, cost-effective guidance. We will help you craft the policies and practices that will allow your business to thrive.
Agreements and Policy Documents
We draft and review contracts, handbooks, and policy documents to maximize your legal rights and minimize litigation risks.
Protection of Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property
Your business likely possesses information that can be protected as a trade secret, confidential business information, or intellectual property. We help clients protect these assets and maximize their value.
Non-Competes: Drafting and Litigation
When properly drafted and intelligently enforced, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements are an asset to your organization. Our attorneys have significant experience in this area.
Training
Effective training is your first line of defense to employment litigation. Our attorneys will educate managers and lower-level employees on critical subjects; including:
Preventing workplace discrimination and harassment (English and Spanish)
IRCA-compliant and discrimination-free hiring and recruiting practices
Management tools for improving morale and limiting legal exposure
Appropriate conduct during a labor organizing campaign
Employee health and family obligation issues: disability accommodation, family leave and sick leave
Investigations
We investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and other types of employee misconduct.
Litigation, Arbitration and Trial
We are experienced, driven advocates in state and federal court, and in private arbitration.
Class Action Defense
We are skilled in litigation of collective actions and class-based claims.
Labor Disputes
We can help you deal with traditional labor (union) issues. Our experience includes:
Strikes and Replacement Workers and Injunctions in Labor Disputes
NLRB Cases, including unfair labor practice matters, union organizing, labor contract negotiation
Planning Ahead
Buy or Sell Land or a Business (Business Practice) (Real Estate Practice)
Transactions (Business Practice)
Financing (Business Practice)
Trademarks and Intellectual Property (Intellectual Property Practice)
Succession Planning (Estate Planning Practice)
Estate Planning (Estate Planning Practice)
Creditor Representation, including bankruptcy (Litigation Practice)
FOR EMPLOYEES
Advice and Counseling
We approach your employment transitions with full awareness of the potential legal and practical issues at stake.
Contract Review
We recognize real world impact before you sign proposed employment agreements, partnership and shareholder agreements, compensation agreements, non-competition agreements, intellectual property agreements, and severance/termination agreements.
Negotiation
We achieve desired compensation, terms, and benefits. We negotiate more favorable severance terms and revision of post-employment restrictions (e.g., non-compete agreements).
Litigation
We provide thoughtful cost-benefit analysis of potential claims and tenaciously advocate in lawsuits for wrongful termination, discrimination/harassment, wage and hour claims, executive compensation, and defense of noncompetition/trade secret claims.
Non-Compete Litigation
Our employment attorneys have successfully defended and resolved countless non-competition disputes on behalf of transitioning executives.
Class Action Litigation
We have the experience and resources to litigate collective actions and class-based claims.
MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
Our lawyers are frequently selected by other members of the employment bar to serve as neutrals in mediation and arbitration.
EMPLOYER'S PRACTICAL ADVICE
We know employment lawyers dispense a lot of advice about how to run the people side of your business—maybe too much. At her blog Employer's Practical Advice, Beth Joffe shares practical, easy-to-implement tips which we hope will help the people side of your business run just a bit more smoothly.
God bless you, you called me while you are out of town. Now that is client service.
TERRI SIEGEL, Human Resources Director, Clothier & Head
EMPLOYER'S PRACTICAL ADVICE
EMPLOYMENT NEWS
Evans Fruit Wins Summary Judgment Dismissing Retaliation Claims Brought by the EEOC
Stokes Lawrence Wins Complete Defense Verdict Against EEOC for Evans Fruit
Alert: FMLA Forms and Poster Requirement,
Effective March 8, 2013 Top Ten Mistakes Employers Make in Responding to Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment Spliff Shifts? The Effects of Washington’s Decriminalization of Marijuana Beware! Salaried Does Not Equal Exempt September 2012 - Seattle Passes Mandatory Sick Leave/Safe Time Ordinance
Effective March 8, 2013 Top Ten Mistakes Employers Make in Responding to Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment Spliff Shifts? The Effects of Washington’s Decriminalization of Marijuana Beware! Salaried Does Not Equal Exempt September 2012 - Seattle Passes Mandatory Sick Leave/Safe Time Ordinance
PUBLICATIONS
"Observations and Recent Appellate Developments in Washington State Employment Law©," 12th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference, presented by WSBA
Kelby Fletcher
November 30, 2012 "Introduction to Employment Law Claims," 12th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference,
presented by WSBA
Justo Gonzalez and Aviva Kamm
November 30, 2012 "Why Should Privately Held Companies and Nonprofit Entities Care About SOX?" Bloomberg BNA Daily Labor Report®, 198 DLR I-1,
October 17, 2012
Beth Golub Joffe "How a Mediator Can Help," The 7th Annual WSBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, presented by WSBA
Carolyn Cairns
July 19-21, 2012 "Employment Law Issues for Non-Employment Lawyers," The 7th Annual WSBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, presented by WSBA
Kelby Fletcher
July 19-21, 2012 More
Kelby Fletcher
November 30, 2012 "Introduction to Employment Law Claims," 12th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference,
presented by WSBA
Justo Gonzalez and Aviva Kamm
November 30, 2012 "Why Should Privately Held Companies and Nonprofit Entities Care About SOX?" Bloomberg BNA Daily Labor Report®, 198 DLR I-1,
October 17, 2012
Beth Golub Joffe "How a Mediator Can Help," The 7th Annual WSBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, presented by WSBA
Carolyn Cairns
July 19-21, 2012 "Employment Law Issues for Non-Employment Lawyers," The 7th Annual WSBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, presented by WSBA
Kelby Fletcher
July 19-21, 2012 More
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
RECENT RESULTS
Our Employment attorneys include:
Client List
We represent individuals, entrepreneurs and their families, small businesses, non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Click here to see a list of representative clients.