Jim represents clients with employment matters in a range of industries. These matters include:
- Employment Discrimination and Harassment
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other Administrative Complaints
- Religious Accommodation
In addition to his employment practice, Jim handles complex litigation including the following:
- Security matters - representing broker-dealers, investment advisors and public customers in various claims, including class actions, regulatory proceedings and customer claims.
- Trusts and estate controversies - negotiating and litigating disputes, including will contests, and complaints against Trustees and Personal Representatives.
Before joining Ryan Swanson, Jim worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and has been named in Washington Law & Politics’ Super Lawyers® list.
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Protection of Trade Secrets, Impact of Technology and IP Law on Employment Law Seminar (2012)
- Speaker, Ryan Swanson's Annual Employment Law Seminar
- Speaker, Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Speaker, Washington Society of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Speaker, Society of Financial Professionals
- Speaker, EEOC Annual Seminar
- Speaker, Society for Human Resource Management
Articles
Representative Experience
- Represents various technology and biotechnology companies, as well as healthcare, manufacturing, boat building, insurance and other industries with respect to employment issues relating to discrimination, retaliation, trade secret information and temporary/leased employees.
- Represents clients in disputes before Federal and State Administrative agencies, including the EEOC.
- Represents professionals including financial planners, lawyers, physicians and other executives with respect to unique issues relating to employment and other contracts.
- Represented a Washington county in sex discrimination lawsuit, as well as a major public utility in a discrimination, harassment and whistleblower case.
- Represented large, international nonprofit in dispute over trust proceeds resulting in significant multi-million dollar settlement.
- Represented employer in theft of trade secrets, breach of employment agreement and trade dress violation.
- Represented partner in partnership dissolution involving fraudulent transfer of assets and monies of the business.
- Represented business in litigation where issues included theft of corporate opportunity.
Professional and Community Activities
- Board Member, Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (2010-2012)
- Trustee, King County Labor and Employment Law Section (2007-present)
- Federal Bar Trustee (1999-2001)
- Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Conference Planning Committee (1991-present)
Honors and Awards
Background
Jim was born and raised in Connecticut and was with the United States Department of Justice, Tax Division, in Washington, D.C., before joining Ryan Swanson in 1983.
Jim says that being exposed to the family grocery and real estate business at a young age made him a better lawyer. “My parents’ business provided a real-life education on how a business operates. Today, when a business comes with an employment law or other legal problem, I don’t look at it only as an employment law or legal issue. Instead, I look at the big picture to see how the problem relates to the overall organization. This perspective helps develop more effective, creative options and practical solutions that clients are seeking."