Nancy Williams
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 on 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. As Nancy winds down her practice, she continues to advise private sector clients as well as 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
-
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
News
Professional Experience
Employment Class Actions
Beck, et al. v. The Boeing Company, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defense of Title VII sex discrimination class action with 30,000 class members. Settled on eve of trial.
EEOC v. Alaska Airlines
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Age discrimination class action, involving hiring age for pilots.
EEOC v. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Race and national origin discrimination class action.
EEOC v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Age discrimination class action case, involving retirement age for pilots.
Fields v. Beech Aircraft
U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
Defense of race discrimination class action.
Solomon Williams, et al. v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Race discrimination class action, 4,000 class members. Summary judgment before trial dismissed compensation claims. Obtained victory in a jury trial and obtained a positive ruling from the bench on the disparate impact claim.
Employment Litigation
Abston v. Alaska Airlines
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Gender discrimination case, defense judgment.
Erickson v. Fisher Communications Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington), Washington State Court of Appeals
Disability discrimination and wrongful discharge claims, summary judgment affirmed on appeal. (Unpublished decision 2009)
Gaglidari v. Denny’s Restaurants Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington), Washington State Supreme Court
Wrongful discharge claim; plaintiff's verdict reversed on appeal and standards established for definition of "just cause" and limitation on emotional distress damages. 815 P.2d 1362 (Wash. 1991)
Huff v. The Boeing Company
King County Superior Court (Washington), Washington State Supreme Court
Gender and national origin discrimination, defense judgment.
Jeppe, et al. v. Alaska Airlines
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Age discrimination; wrongful discharge; various tort claims; defense verdict.
Klontz v. Puget Sound Power & Light Company
Superior Court of Washington, Kitsap County, Washington State Court of Appeals
Defamation and breach of implied contract claim by discharged employee, summary judgment affirmed on appeal. 951 P.2d 280 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998)
Mace v. Alaska Airlines
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Disability/AIDS discrimination, defense judgment.
McIntyre v. VICI Gig Harbor Group
Superior Court of Washington, Pierce County
Age discrimination; wrongful discharge; various tort claims; partial summary judgment followed by defense verdict.
Nguyen v. Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation
King County Superior Court (Washington), Washington State Court of Appeals
Pregnancy discrimination and various tort claims; summary judgment affirmed on appeal. 131 Wash. App. 1064 (2006)
Ray v. Univar
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Age discrimination claim, defense verdict.