Seattle employment lawyer for Washington employees

Freiman Legal represents Washington employees in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage cases from its Seattle office at 9030 35th Avenue SW, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98126. Lawrence Freiman was admitted in Washington in 2025 and has represented employees since 2008. Call (310) 917-1004 or email lawrence@freimanlegal.com for a free consultation.

Washington employment law, in brief

Discrimination. The Washington Law Against Discrimination makes it an unfair practice for an employer to refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate in pay or conditions because of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or disability. An injured employee can sue directly for actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees, without first filing with an agency.

Retaliation. It is an unfair practice to discharge or discriminate against anyone who opposed a forbidden practice or filed a charge, testified, or assisted in a proceeding.

Agency deadlines. A complaint to the Washington State Human Rights Commission must be filed within six months of the act, one year for pregnancy discrimination, and two years for whistleblower retaliation. An EEOC charge must be filed within 300 days.

Overtime and wages. Washington requires one and one-half times the regular rate for work over 40 hours in a week. An employer that willfully withholds wages is liable for double the amount withheld, plus costs and attorney's fees, and an employee who recovers a judgment for wages is entitled to attorney's fees.

Leave. Washington's family leave law prohibits interference with leave rights and retaliation for using them, with damages, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees. The state's paid family and medical leave program provides wage replacement during qualifying leave.

Federal law applies alongside: Title VII at 15 employees, the age discrimination act at 20, and FMLA at 50 employees within 75 miles.

What is different about Washington

Washington lets an employee go straight to court under the state discrimination law. That changes the strategy: there is less reason to wait on an agency and more reason to build the case early. Washington's wage statutes are also unusually favorable to employees, with double damages for willful withholding and mandatory fee shifting.

How a Washington case works with Freiman Legal

Free consultation, by phone, video, or at the Seattle office by appointment.
Documents. We collect your personnel and pay records and the employer's written explanation.
Demand, mediation, or suit. Many cases resolve before filing. Those that do not are filed in King County Superior Court, the county where you worked, or federal court, and prepared for trial.

Mediation in Washington

Lawrence Freiman mediates Washington employment disputes by video and in person. Counsel can schedule through the mediation page.

Lawyers: refer a Washington case

Washington lawyers refer employment matters to us. Washington's Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(e) allows a fee division only in proportion to the work each lawyer does or with joint responsibility, with the client's written agreement to each lawyer's share. We do not enter joint responsibility arrangements, so a Washington referral pays a share only where the referring lawyer shares the work. Details on the Refer a case page.

Questions Washington employees ask

Do I need to file with the Human Rights Commission first? No. You can, and it is sometimes useful, but Washington law allows a direct lawsuit.

My employer is based in California. The law that applies depends on where you worked and what you agreed to. We are licensed in both states and handle that question routinely.

How long do I have to sue? Shorter than you think for some claims. Call before you assume you have time.

Call (310) 917-1004 or email lawrence@freimanlegal.com. We reply within one business day. Please do not send confidential information until we have agreed in writing to represent you.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Lawrence W. Freiman is licensed in Washington, California, and Nevada.