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Sheehan Sullivan is an experienced employment litigator with a successful track record defending companies through all stages of complex class action, multi-plaintiff, and single-plaintiff litigation. She is creative and strategic in how she approaches litigation, always keeping her clients' goals top of mind. In addition to handling all aspects of prelitigation and litigation, Sheehan is a trusted counselor, advising her clients on risk mitigation and litigation avoidance, particularly in the areas of wage-and-hour law and complex disability accommodation issues. Sheehan invests time to understand her clients' businesses and leverages her deep substantive knowledge and subject matter expertise to develop effective solutions to her clients' toughest problems.
Class Action Litigation
Seattle Children's Hospital
Defending multiple rest and meal period class actions. 2022-ongoing
Bolding v. Banner Bank
Defended a hybrid off the clock case involving mortgage lenders through all stages of class certification and pretrial litigation. Reached settlement after seven years of hard-fought litigation. (2017-2024)
Sampson et al. v. JELD-WEN Inc.
The 9th Circuit affirmed pre-certification summary judgment in favor of employer in class action by former managers alleging employer breached contract obligation to pay bonuses. Sampson et al. v. JELD-WEN Inc., No. 16-35015, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (2018)
National equipment rental chain
Defending nationwide hybrid class action alleging off-the-clock and rest and meal break violations. Successful in limiting claims through early motion to dismiss. (Ongoing)
Cobalt Mortgage
Reached favorable settlements in four separate class actions after protracted litigation in multiple jurisdictions. Cases alleged off-the-clock work violations for mortgage loan officers and supporting employees. (2016-2018)
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Trials
Danielson v. Seattle Children's Hospital
Defended Seattle Children's Hospital in a five-week race harassment and retaliation trial. (King County Superior Court, 2024)
Anderson, et al. v. Boeing Company
Defended The Boeing Company in a case in which a longtime engineer accused the company of failing to accommodate his bipolar disorder, despite the fact that during a three-year period, Boeing provided at least three leaves of absence and the accommodations that the employee requested. After an eight-day trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict in favor of Boeing on all claims. Case No. 2:15-cv-01860-TSZ (W.D. Wash. 2016)
Williams v. BOSE Corporation, et al.
A former employee claimed his supervisor made racially offensive comments and jokes. He sued both the supervisor and the company claiming, among other things, discrimination, retaliation and a racially hostile work environment. He claimed he suffered severe and permanent physical and mental injuries as a result of the allegedly improper behavior in the range of $1.5 million to $3 million. After a seven-day jury trial, defense counsel obtained a complete defense verdict. Case No. 08-2-17049-7 (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2010)
Dent and Strathmann v. CombiMatrix
Represented biotech company in defense of claims brought by former vice president of research and development and vice president of marketing seeking multimillion-dollar damages for bonuses and commissions and also asserting patent and intellectual property claims. Claims dismissed following two-week trial. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2008)
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Multi-Plaintiff and Single-Plaintiff Litigation
Granziol v. Amazon.com
Obtained summary judgment in breach of contract and wage claim case. (2024)
Tracey Allen v. Group Health Cooperative
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large healthcare provider in case alleging discrimination based on race, age, and religion. (2016)
Burrer v. The Boeing Company
Obtained complete summary judgment from federal district court on claims of wrongful termination in violation of the Family Medical Leave Act. (2016)
McDaniels v. Group Health Cooperative
Secured summary judgment in wrongful termination case asserting state and federal claims including race, age, and disability discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate, FMLA interference, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, and negligent supervision. (2014)
Shelley v. Bank of America, N.A.
Won summary judgment on federal court action for age discrimination and retaliation. (2011)
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Employment Counseling
ADA committee for Fortune 100 company
Served as coordinating counsel representative on the ADA committee, advising on accommodation compliance matters nationwide for a company with over 400,000 employees. (2016-2017)
Wage-and-hour audit for Fortune 100 company
Conducted large-scale exempt status review for Fortune 100 company involving more than 150 positions nationwide. (2017)
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Admitted to Practice
- Washington, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2005
Education
- J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 2002, magna cum laude
- Editor, Seattle University Law Review
- Conference Chair, National Conference of Law Reviews
- Board Member, National Women Law Students' Association
- B.A., History, University of Oregon, 1996
Memberships & Affiliations
- Member, Board of Editors, The Fair Labor Standards Act, Bloomberg BNA, 2022-present
- Member, Wage and Hour Defense Institute, 2002-present
- King County Bar Association, 2003-present
- Executive Committee, 2016-2021; Board of Directors, 2013-2021 – Special Olympics of Washington
- Board of Directors, Seattle Arts and Lectures, 2021-present
- Board of Directors, 2006-2008; Board Chair, 2007-present — Seattle Works
- Homeless Project Committee, King County Bar Association, 2007-2013
Professional Recognition
- Named a BTI "Client Service All-Star," 2024
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Employment Law - Management, 2021-present
- Selected to "Washington Rising Stars," Thomson Reuters, 2012
- Selected to "BTI Client Service All-Stars," BTI Consulting Group, 2024
- Received a "Flex Success Award" from the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, 2022
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03.06.25
Presentations
Moderator, "Lessons Learned From Wins And Losses in Recent Jury Trials—How An Employer Can Get a Fair Shake in This Climate," Washington Employment Law Seminar 2025
timecard and pen
01.16.25
Insights
Unanimous Supreme Court Ruling Establishes Lower Bar for Proving Overtime Exemptions Under FLSA Read More Rising steps made of American one dollar bills
12.18.24
Insights
Washington's Minimum Wage Set To Rise in 2025 – Here's What Employers Need To Know Read More signing a digital contract
11.14.24
Insights
2025 Salary Thresholds for FLSA Exemptions: Takeaways for Employers Read More 09.12.24
Presentations
Speaker, "Labor & Employment Issues in the Healthcare Industry," PNW Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Seminar, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle
Rising steps made of American one dollar bills
04.26.24
Insights
Wage & Hour Law
Labor Department Finalizes Rule Increasing Salary Thresholds for FLSA Exemptions Read More Signing a contract
01.24.24
Insights
California
Employee or Independent Contractor? New DOL Rule Aims to Clarify Worker Classifications Read More State of Washington
10.12.23
Insights
Counseling
Employers Beware – Slew of Class Actions Filed Alleging Violations of Washington's Pay Transparency Requirements in Job Postings Read More Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More Publications
04.25.23
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Elects New Members of Executive Committee and Names New Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary Read More dictionary and money
10.04.22
Insights
Counseling
Washington State Employers to Face Significant Minimum Wage and Salary Threshold Increases Read More containers at shipping port
10.20.21
Insights
Counseling
Washington Employees Must Be Paid for All Time Associated With Out-of-Town Travel Read More
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