Nancy Williams
- Seattle
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For several years, Nancy was ranked by Chambers USA, most recently as a senior statesman, in recognition of her practice transition and long-term dedication to clients.
Nancy Williams has counseled and represented employers in the areas of labor and employment law for more than 40 years. Her areas of experience include litigation, equal employment opportunity, discipline and discharge, and a wide variety of other employment issues. Having "seen it all," the depth of her knowledge enables her to respond efficiently to a multitude of employment-related matters.
Nancy has served as managing partner of the firm's Seattle office, as firmwide personnel partner, and as chair of the Seattle Labor & Employment practice. She has been an active contributor and leader in civic, cultural, and professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association. She served as a trustee for the King County Bar Association and remains an active participant in its Labor and Employment Law Section.
Pro bono work and volunteerism are mainstays of Nancy's career. Her recent pro bono work focuses on employment law advice to nonprofit organizations. She has also represented Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) in child dependency cases and assisted immigrants seeking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other adjustments to immigration status. She is a former board member of the Seattle Repertory Theatre and an alumna of the Peace Corps, in which she served in Colombia. Although Nancy is no longer practicing full-time, she actively continues to advise private sector clients while exploring opportunities to further her pro bono and community volunteer efforts.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1980
- Northwestern University, B.S., Journalism, 1967
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- U.S. Department of Labor, Public Information Officer, 1973-1978
Professional Recognition
Selected by Best Lawyers as "Seattle Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year," 2011-2012
Listed in Chambers USA, "America’s Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers," Ranked Senior Statesman, 2012-2017
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 1995-2021: Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor & Employment
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, "Washington’s Super Lawyers," 2003-2021
Recognized as 2017 Outstanding Lawyer of the Year by King County Bar Association
*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
- American Bar Association, Labor and Litigation Sections
- Washington Employment Law Letter, Co-Editor, 1994-2011
- King County Bar Association, Membership Committee, 2010-2013; KCBA BOLD section, ad hoc Chair, 2010-2013; Central District Trustee, 2007-2010; Labor and Employment Section, Trustee, 2004-2007; Section Chair, 2006-2007; Pacific Coast Labor Law Conference Planning Committee, 2001-2007, 2014-2022, Conference Chair, 2006
Community Involvement
- Peace Corps, Volunteer, 1967-1969