Employment

The Stokes Lawrence Employment team pairs deep subject‑matter expertise with decades of litigation experience, offering practical and professional guidance to employers across Washington. We help organizations navigate the full spectrum of workplace issues and develop strategic, cost‑effective solutions that align with their business goals.

Overview

The Stokes Lawrence Employment Group combines deep subject matter knowledge with decades of litigation experience. We are known for being practical, professional, and fair—qualities that make us trusted partners to employers across Washington State.

We work closely with employers to navigate the full range of workplace issues, from medical leave and reasonable accommodations to wage and hour compliance, workplace culture concerns, and policies that reduce litigation risk while maintaining compliance with evolving laws. Our goal is to help clients assess risk, balance business priorities, and develop strategic, cost-effective solutions that align with their organization’s values and goals.

When disputes arise, employers rely on our seasoned trial attorneys—many with decades of experience in both state and federal courts—to handle complex, high-stakes matters. We are frequently entrusted with cases of first impression, including groundbreaking wage-and-hour litigation, H-2A employment disputes in the Eastern District of Washington, and trade secret and restrictive covenant claims.

We are also recognized as go-to counsel for Washington State executives, negotiating employment agreements, severance packages, equity arrangements, and noncompetition and post-employment restrictions. Executives and senior leaders regularly turn to us because of our reputation for discretion, sophistication, and exceptional client service.

Our balanced experience representing both employers and employees gives us a unique vantage point. We understand what motivates both sides of an employment dispute, which sharpens our instincts and leads to practical, durable resolutions.

Mediation & Arbitration

Members of our team are frequently selected by other employment attorneys to serve as neutral mediators and arbitrators, reflecting our credibility, fairness, and professionalism.

Independent Workplace Investigations

Our attorneys also conduct sensitive, high-profile, objective investigations of workplace complaints for public and private entities. We provide prompt, thorough investigations into employee concerns or alleged misconduct, delivering factual findings to employers or their counsel.

Industry Reach

With deep agricultural roots through our Yakima office, we are uniquely positioned to advise and defend employers in the agriculture sector. Stokes Lawrence has successfully challenged the EEOC in two of its most high-profile national cases and remains at the forefront as the agency renews its focus on agricultural employers. Beyond agriculture, our clients span the technology, aviation, and professional services sectors, reflecting our broad industry reach and practical understanding of diverse workplaces.