| Lawton Humphrey focuses on employment counseling, training and litigation. She works with employers to address employment disputes, maximizing employer interests and goals. Lawton represents employers at all stages of dispute resolution, through trial and appeal, and helps them manage difficult employment issues in ways that minimize the risks of litigation. Selected Experience Achieved successful settlement on behalf of employer in related wage and hour class actions. (N.D. Cal. 2008) Defended claims of gender and age discrimination. (2008) We represented this publicly traded technology company defending a Sarbanes-Oxley retaliation claim brought by its former general counsel, both before the Department of Labor and in U.S. District Court. (W.D. Wash. 2008) Supervised investigation by a publicly traded technology company into sexual harassment allegations involving extensive electronic evidence, computer forensics, and complicated issues relating to maintaining privileged nature of investigation and communicating results. (2008) Defended claims of failure to accommodate and retaliation. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2008) Defended, and negotiated successful resolution of FMLA interference claim asserted against, aviation manufacturing company. (W.D. Wash. 2007) Supervised investigation by a public entity into sexual harassment allegations involving extensive electronic evidence. (2007) Successfully resolved class action lawsuit by female jail guards by working with clients and class counsel to establish new intake protocols for inmates and procedures for corrections officers. 97-2-23951-6SEA (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2001) Obtained summary judgment for defendant in case involving claims of defamation arising out of employment reference. Judgment affirmed by 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (1996) Five-day jury trial representing defendant. Obtained defense verdict in case involving claims of age discrimination arising out of a layoff. Negotiated favorable resolution of two other related claims after trial. (W.D. Wash. 1995) Defended major medical institution in audit by Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of their affirmative action programs. Assisted clients with development of affirmative action plans and defending audits by OFCCP. Defended audit by Washington Employment Security Department seeking unpaid taxes for workers classified as independent contractors. Conducted attorney-client privileged internal audit of organization's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable accommodation process. Advised multiple employers on situations involving employees with performance problems compounded by complicated disability accommodation issues, including terminal illness, to help the employers achieve goals with minimal disruption to the work environment and no legal exposure. Additional Qualifications
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Barbara J. Rothstein, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
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Professional and Community Activities
- Board of Trustees, ACT Foundation, 2004-present
- Board of Trustees, A Contemporary Theatre, 1995-2003
- American Bar Association
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Professional Recognition
- Named as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Labor & Employment (Washington) by Chambers USA, 2003-2011
- Named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Labor & Employment Law by Woodward/White, 2003-present
- Named as one of the Puget Sound’s “Forty under 40” by Puget Sound Business Journal, 2005
- Selected to "Washington Rising Stars," Law & Politics, 2004-2006
- Selected to "Super Lawyers," Washington Law & Politics, 2008-2011
- Named as one of "155 Top Lawyers" by Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Monthly, 2007
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Education J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1991 B.A., Economics, Stanford University, 1988, with distinction | |