Valerie L. Hughes
In addition to her representation of private employers, Val provides general counsel representation to Washington school districts, including state and federal court litigation and administrative hearings.
Valerie Hughes, of counsel with the firm's Labor and Employment practice, has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of employment litigation, discrimination and harassment litigation, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and administrative proceedings.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Washington University School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif, Senior Editor, Washington University Law Review, 1980
- Saint Louis University, Clinical Psychology, 1977
- Bradley University, B.A., summa cum laude, , 1975
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Recognition
Named Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year" for Education Law, 2020, 2024
Named Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Law - Management, 2016-2018
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Education Law; Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2007-2025
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, “Washington’s Super Lawyers,” 2007-2021
*Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington, Immediate Past President 2006; President 2005; Vice President 2004; Chair, Pro Bono Committee, 1999-2003
- Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, 2005-2007
- Washington State Bar Association, Labor Law Section
- King County Bar Association, Labor Law Section
- Washington Council of School Attorneys
- Pacific Northwest Ballet, Employment Counsel
News
Professional Experience
Labor & Employment
George v. United Parcel Service Inc.
Defense of class action state law wage-and-hour claim regarding exempt status of on-car supervisors under FLSA.
Doe v. The Boeing Company
Bench trial concerning employee's claim that company failed to reasonably accommodate his disability; defense verdict; affirmed by Washington Supreme Court. 121 Wn. 2d 8, 846 P.2d 531 (Wash. 1993)
Dator v. The Boeing Company
Two-week jury trial on sex and race discrimination and retaliation claims; defense verdict.
Moldt v. Tacoma School District Number 10
Affirmance of summary judgment that substitute teachers were excluded from continuing contract rights under state statute. 103 Wn. App. 472, 12 P.3d 1042 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000)
Mehlhaff v. Tacoma School District Number 10
Affirmance of summary judgment that substitute teachers were not statutorily entitled to same rate of pay as full-time teachers. 92 Wn. App. 982, 966 P.2d 419 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998)
City of Federal Way v. Public Employment Relations Comm'n
Obtained ruling overturning Commission's findings that city's layoff of employee was retaliation for union activity. 93 Wn. App. 509, 970 P.2d 752 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999)
Wright v. Mead School District
Successful defense of school district against allegations of wrongful discharge. 87 Wn. App. 624, 944 P.2d 1 (Wash. Cir. App. 1997)
Lawson v. The Boeing Company
Former supervisor filed action for damages against Boeing and several employees after his demotion for sexual harassment. 58 Wn. App. 261, 792 P.2d 545 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990)
Sauter v. Mount Vernon School District
Successful defense of school district following allegations by teacher of wrongful termination. 58 Wn. App. 121, 791 P.2d 549 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990)