Employment Law
Terrell Marshall Daudt & Willie has a strong reputation for excellence in the area of employment law. The firm primarily represents employees but also advises small businesses and non-profit organizations. TMDW's attorneys have extensive experience in all areas of employment law, including matters involving wage and hour violations, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, family and medical leave, paid time off benefits, and noncompetition agreements.
TMDW is particularly well known for its work representing employees in wage and hour class actions. A wage and hour class action is a lawsuit brought against an employer on behalf of a large group of workers who have been or continue to be subject to the employer's unlawful policies and practices. TMDW's lawyers have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits alleging violations of laws relating to minimum wage and overtime pay, rest and meal breaks, tool and uniform expenses, paycheck deductions, vacation benefits, and misclassification of employees as "exempt" or "independent contractors."
TMDW has a strong record of representing clients who are the victims of discrimination. TMDW will fight for employees who are discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. The firm brings extensive experience and tenacious advocacy to discrimination cases.
In addition, TMDW represents clients in matters involving the drafting and negotiation of employment contracts. The firm also has significant experience negotiating severance agreements with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. TMDW's lawyers strategically and vigorously pursue the interests of their clients by negotiating for the best possible terms.
TMDW's attorneys also have extensive experience litigating the enforceability of employee non-competes, non-solicitation clauses, and restrictive covenants, including resisting temporary restraining orders and injunctions.
Sample TMDW Employment Law Successes:
Barnett et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. – Negotiated a $35 million settlement for a class of 80,000 current and former Wal-Mart employees in Washington State alleging violations of Washington's wage and hour laws and the Washington State Consumer Protection Act.
Ramirez v. Precision Drywall, Inc. , – Obtained jury verdict on behalf of 325 drywall workers whose employer deprived them of overtime pay and made unlawful deductions from their pay. Class members were awarded double their actual damages plus interest. Precision Drywall and its owners and officers were also ordered to pay attorneys' fees (with a multiplier) and costs separately. The total judgment is currently valued at more than $4.2 million.
McGinnity v. AutoNation, Inc. – Obtained arbitration award in excess of $2.6 million in a class action brought on behalf of 500 employees who were deprived of their earned paid vacation benefits while working at various AutoNation dealerships in Washington.
Janitorial Company Lawsuit – Negotiated six-figure settlement on behalf of 175 employees working for janitorial company in Washington. Employees alleged violations of state laws regarding minimum wage, overtime, rest and meal breaks, and deductions for uniforms.
Lindsey & Hayes v. CF Sales, Inc. – Negotiated settlement of $155,000 for two carpet cleaners who were misclassified as exempt from Washington overtime and rest and meal break laws.
Labor Services Company Lawsuit – Negotiated seven-figure settlement on behalf of 1,300 employees working for labor services company in Washington. The employees had alleged they were not paid for all hours worked, did not receive proper rest and meal breaks, and had unlawful deductions taken from their wages.
Telecommunications Company Lawsuit I – Negotiated settlement on behalf of a certified class of 300 employees who alleged wage and hour violations. The case settled in 2007, and the settlement was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Telecommunications Company Lawsuit II – Negotiated settlement on behalf of 2,400 hourly paid employees working for a major telecommunications company in Washington and Oregon. The employees alleged that their employer failed to provide them with meal and rest breaks, did not pay them for all hours worked, and improperly deducted uniform and tool expenses.
Discrimination Case Against Fortune 500 Company – Negotiated favorable settlement for African-American manager who had been terminated after 26 years of employment based on false allegations of sexual harassment.
Olson v. Fred Meyer Stores − Obtained a $200,000 jury verdict for a part-time employee whose termination violated the disability protections of the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
Godfrey v. Chelan County PUD – Negotiated settlement on behalf of 81 employees who claimed they had to work off the clock and without pay in order to complete shift turnovers.