Labor & Employment
USA Guide 2024 : Washington
Band 1
About
Provided by Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie's Labor & Employment practice, one of the largest in the West with more than four dozen lawyers, represents employers in all facets and at all stages of labor and employment relations. With sweeping geographic reach and substantive depth, our lawyers routinely confront some of the most challenging issues facing employers in the modern workplace.
We represent clients in a wide range of industries, from industrial manufacturing, transportation, forest products and construction, to retail, healthcare and high technology. Serving as trusted counselors and advisor to in-house law departments or human resource professionals is a role we deeply value. In addition, our range of experience in a variety of industries allows us to provide relevant, efficient, and practical advice to accomplish business objectives expeditiously. Our lawyers understand that, as counselors and advisors, their role is to help our clients achieve their business goals, not to prolong disputes or complicate issues.
While our lawyers offer a full range of services, we are first and foremost trial lawyers with formidable experience trying cases, small and large, in federal and state courts throughout the country. Our lawyers are among the handful of lawyers anywhere in the nation who have taken employment class actions to trial – and prevailed. We have a unique depth of experience with negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements for some of the largest union employers in America.
Chambers Review
Perkins Coie has a first-class team lauded for its expert handling of matters such as employment discrimination, noncompete and trade secret disputes. Its lawyers frequently defend against large-scale class actions and provide in-depth advice to employers concerning employee benefits matters. The firm is further noted for its strong traditional labor practice, which includes advising employers hailing from a range of sectors on collective bargaining agreements.
Work Highlights
- Perkins Coie represented Olympia School District in a lawsuit alleging it violated the Public Records Act when it withheld documents on the basis of attorney-client privilege and the attorney work product doctrine.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Perkins provides a fresh and innovative approach, and focuses on the results without any unnecessary fluff."
"The team is extremely responsive and thorough."
"Perkins provides a fresh and innovative approach, and focuses on the results without any unnecessary fluff."
"The team is extremely responsive and thorough."
Notable Practitioners
Bruce Cross is a seasoned practitioner with deep knowledge of labor and employment law. He has experience handling labor relations matters, employment class actions and wage and hour disputes.
"Bruce is a talented lawyer."
Kevin Hamilton regularly handles complex employment disputes, including those involving allegations of trade secret misappropriation. His clients include both domestic and international corporations.
"Kevin is a great strategic thinker and excellent at concisely articulating the most salient points of the matter."
"Kevin is the consummate lawyer - a gifted and fearless trial lawyer with unparalleled client service."
James Sanders has considerable experience handling significant class actions on behalf of employers. He has expertise in handling issues arising from whistle-blower and wage and hour disputes.
"James is a talented trial lawyer."
Julie Lucht is noted for her expertise in handling employment litigation. She has notable experience advising clients on matters concerning employment discrimination and sexual harassment claims.
"Julie is consistently responsive, pragmatic and reasoned in her legal advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Perkins Coie LLP
Washington