Labor & Employment: Washington

THE FIRM With 49 lawyers divided between the firm’s Bellevue and Seattle offices, Davis Wright Tremaine’s labor and employment practice is the largest in Washington. The group handles counseling and litigation for clients and also has a significant traditional labor practice which covers the full range of union-related matters.

Sources say: “The level and professionalism of its service is outstanding; this highly responsive team provides professional and detailed work. We regard this team as the finest in its market.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Hutcheson is widely respected by peers and assists employers with strategic labor relations planning. Clients remark that Michael Reiss is “a great strategist and litigator. He understands the big picture and is able to develop a sensible, cost-effective strategy that reflects the client’s interests.” Robert Blackstone impresses with his skill in defending employers in arbitration and litigation. Lawton Humphrey has a strong practice in employment counseling, training and litigation. Mark Berry maintains a broad practice and advises on all aspects of employment law. Henry Farber heads the group and has a strong practice in traditional labor law, representing many of the group’s major healthcare clients. Thomas Lemly earns praise from clients and peers for his skill and experience in trial before both state and federal courts.

THE FIRM Perkins Coie is consistently rated among the region’s best labor and employment practices and offers a strong team of 23 Washington-based lawyers. The group handles the full spectrum of employment matters, including employment litigation, traditional labor work, preventive law and workplace investigations.

Sources say: “One of the top firms in the Pacific Northwest. They're available whenever we need them and are always able and willing to assist.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Chair of the firm's employee benefits and executive compensation practice, Kurt Linsenmayer focuses on ERISA and federal tax issues regarding pension plans, executive benefits and health and welfare programs. Nancy Williams is managing partner of the firm’s Seattle office and represents various employers in litigation concerning equal employment opportunity, discipline and discharge. Bruce Michael Cross has over 35 years' experience working in labor law and counts Puget Sound Energy and Boise Cascade among his clients. Jeff Hollingsworth litigates complex class employment cases for public employers and large commercial businesses. John Aslin is unanimously considered by peers to be “one of the leading labor and employment lawyers in the Northwest.”

THE FIRM Located in Bellevue, this leading employment firm handles litigation, HR issues, labor relations and preventive counseling. The group consistently ranks among the best in Washington for the sheer breadth of its practice and stands out for its highly sophisticated and experienced team. Clients include Alaska Airlines, Getty Images and the State of Washington.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Busto has a wealth of expertise counseling and litigating on behalf of management in labor disputes. Robert Sebris has over 30 years' experience working in human resource management. Shareholder, Jeffrey James, advises employers on state, federal and local employment laws and defends employers when litigation arises.

THE FIRM This established firm has a full-service labor and employment practice, and prides itself on its business-oriented approach to employment matters. With 11 lawyers operating from the firm’s Seattle office, the team counsels and litigates on behalf of clients regarding a range of issues, particularly wage and hour and labor-management relations.

Sources say: “People at Stoel are fantastic to work with. The team is practical, forward-thinking, and gives good, commercial legal advice.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Melanie Curtice is a partner in the benefits, tax and wealth management group and focuses on health and welfare benefit plans, and related tax, ERISA and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) matters. Mimi Warner also focuses on health and welfare benefit plans, as well as compensation arrangements. Clients note that Jerome Rubin “offers practical legal advice but also can help us with the ups and downs of tough labor negotiations.” James Shore is respected for his strong practice in traditional labor law, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, trade secrets and restrictive covenants. Timothy O'Connell provides clients with litigation and counseling services relating to labour relations and general employment issues. 

THE FIRM This growing boutique employment and labor firm comprises seven lawyers who focus on counseling management and litigating on behalf of clients. In the past year the team handled issues for a range of clients, from startup businesses to large Fortune 500 companies, including Costco and Expedia.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kenneth Diamond has experience in a range of employment and labor matters. Steven Winterbauer is praised by clients as “a very capable, experienced and effective litigator who strives to understand his clients’ business goals and culture.”

THE FIRM This established global firm maintains a strong labor and employment practice in Washington. Eight attorneys operate from the Seattle office on a range of issues, including employment litigation, traditional labor law, management issues and HR. According to sources, the team offers clients high-quality, business-friendly advice. 

Sources say: “This is a very successful firm which inspires a high level of comfort and confidence.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Droke is co-head of the firm's labor and employment practice nationwide and offers both preventive counseling and litigation services to clients in a number of industries.

THE FIRM This boutique firm has a national reach and offers clients expertise in the full spectrum of labor and employment matters. The Seattle office boasts 17 lawyers with experience in litigation, labor relations and general employment counsel. The team acts for clients such as Target and Cascade Natural Gas. 

Sources say: “The lawyers are top notch; very good at communicating and highly responsive.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike Griffin acts as lead counsel on all aspects of employment litigation, including defending discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower claims.

THE FIRM This full-service firm has a comprehensive labor and employment practice, and its team of seven attorneys handles employment counseling and litigation, wage and hour issues, labor relations, training and trade secrets. Clients include Boeing, Group Health Permanente, Microsoft, Seattle Children’s Hospital, T-Mobile USA and the University of Washington. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients describe Robert Howie as a “very good communicator who understands the importance of cost management.” He takes on a greater role in the practice following the departure of Karen Jones, who recently moved in-house at Microsoft.