Lance A. Pelletier
Associate
Lance Pelletier handles all aspects of complex litigation, specializing in class and representative actions, discrimination, wage and hour, and other employment matters at the trial and appellate levels.
Lance brings a background in commercial disputes and exceptional appellate experience to DWT's employment services group. He leverages that experience in his practice, taking an expansive view of the law in working with clients to address their specific litigation needs. Lance enjoys his work with a range of clients – employers, employees, and contractors – across several industries, partnering with them and providing practical advice and strategies from pre-litigation and risk avoidance planning through disposition, settlement, or appeal.
Lance has broad experience defending Washington employers in state and federal courts. He has litigated various matters regarding wrongful termination, discrimination, breach of contract, noncompetition and trade secret disputes, disabilities accommodation, and even allegations of human trafficking by employers. He has secured favorable outcomes for large and small employers, family farms, nonprofits, and individuals, including cases that pit single plaintiffs against Fortune 500 employers and those with small businesses and family farms against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Lance has also litigated in other areas of law, including consumer protections, trademark infringement, and trusts and estates. He successfully represented a Yakama Nation business in a landmark tribal treaty rights case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2019. Recent pro bono work includes class action representation on behalf of juvenile defendants and their constitutional rights. Before launching his practice, he clerked under recently retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Charlie Wiggins. As an Army officer, Lance worked alongside the Afghan and Pakistani militaries to establish border relations and coordinated operations.
Admitted to Practice
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Washington, 2015
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U.S. Supreme Court
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U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Washington
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U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
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Yakama Nation Tribal Court
Education
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J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2014
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B.A., Honors English, DePaul University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, 2006
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Washington State Bar Association
- ACLU Washington
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Innovators Network Council
- Order of the Barristers
Professional Recognition
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- International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy Graduate, 2022
Background
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- Associate, Stokes Lawrence, Seattle and Yakima, Wash., 2016-2023
- Clerk, Justice Charlie Wiggins, Washington Supreme Court, Olympia, Wash., 2014-2016
- Officer (Captain), U.S. Army, 2006-2011