| Merisa Heu-Weller's practice largely consists of employment litigation, labor arbitration, and defending employers in connection with charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state civil rights agencies, and the National Labor Relations Board. Merisa is a contributing author to a national human resources blog, Compensation Today. She also writes articles and speaks on issues involving social media in the workplace. Selected Experience Won motion for summary judgment on all claims in wrongful termination case involving foreign-national plaintiff seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief related to residency in the U.S. and Canada. Our team secured a number of early case victories for Microsoft including 12(c) dismissal of three claims, blocking the deposition of a Microsoft executive and winning several discovery motions. The nine remaining claims for wrongful withholding of wages, race and national origin disparate treatment, disparate impact, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, misrepresentation, and four different federal immigration statute violations were dismissed on summary judgment. (W. D. Wash. 2011) Conducted interviews and reported findings to management regarding staff and manager attitudes and concerns, and recommended steps to take to improve employee relations. (2010) Represented national retailer in National Labor Relations Board investigation into allegations of discrimination in scheduling of hours. (2010) Represented Kyocera Mita America, Inc., in contract dispute over delivery of copiers. (2010) Representation of JPMorgan Chase in wrongful termination case alleging a hostile work environment and ERISA-related claims. Successfully settled case for nominal amount after prevailing in significant pre-trial motions. (2009) Additional Qualifications
- Judicial Clerk, Hon. Justice Mary Fairhurst, Washington Supreme Court, Olympia, Wash., 2007-2008
- Legal Extern, Hon. Robert Lasnik, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Seattle, 2006
- Government Relations Office Coordinator, Pfizer Inc., Olympia, Wash., 2002-2004
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Professional and Community Activities
- Board Member, Friends of Youth, 2011-present
- Founding Member, The Learning Seed Foundation, 2002-present
- Benefit Luncheon Planning Committee, New Beginnings, 2011
- Stanford Club of Washington
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Education J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2007
- President, Minority Law Students Association
- Davis Wright Tremaine Diversity Scholar, 2005
- Stokes Lawrence Diversity Scholar, 2005
B.A., Political Science, Stanford University, 2002
- Honors Thesis, “Politics on the Edge: How Race Impacts Presidential Elections”
- Dr. Condoleezza Rice Award for Political Science, 2001
- Dean’s List, Black Community Services Center, 1998-2002
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