Labor & Employment Law
MPBA provides a full range of labor and employment law services. We represent employers in both the public and private sectors, as well as individual employees. In addition to litigating, mediating, and arbitrating employment-related claims, we provide drafting and advisory services, with an eye toward avoiding litigation. The services we provide include:
- Advising businesses on employee discipline, discharge, and other personnel matters
- Drafting employment contracts, independent contractor and consulting agreements, and noncompete and confidentiality clauses
- Litigating all types of employment-related lawsuits (wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, etc.)
- Representing employers and employees in administrative charges before federal, state, and local agencies, such as the EEOC, the Washington Human Rights Commission, the Department of Labor and Industries, and the Employment Security Department
- Providing wage and hour compliance analysis and litigating minimum wage, overtime, and employee benefit claims
- Litigating noncompetition contracts and trademark, trade name, contractual interference, and unfair competition claims
- Drafting, reviewing, and revising employee policy manuals and handbooks
- Representing individuals and businesses on such matters as disability accommodation, sexual harassment, family and medical leave, unemployment benefits, worker's compensation, and workplace safety
- Conducting sexual harassment and other workplace misconduct investigations
- Negotiating severance packages and preparing separation/resignation agreements and releases
- Reviewing and advising businesses regarding employee practices liability insurance and obtaining coverage for employment-related lawsuits
- Representing employers and employees with respect to union grievances, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board