Julie S. Lucht
An experienced trial lawyer, Julie advocates for clients both inside and outside the courtroom.
Julie Lucht defends clients in employment discrimination and other employment-related litigation. This includes matters involving the Washington Law Against Discrimination, Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Fair Labor Standard Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right Act, and other statutory and common law employment claims. Julie defends clients in class-action litigation and in lawsuits involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Complementing her work as a litigator, Julie provides strategic counsel to clients, including drafting employee handbooks, separation and termination agreements, equal employment opportunity policies, sexual harassment policies, employee leave policies, reasonable accommodation policies, and employment contracts. She has particular experience with disability and leave law issues and frequently presents on those topics. Julie also served as temporary in-house counsel for a Fortune 100 company, handling a range of employment matters.
An approved Rule 39.1 neutral for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program and a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution Services Arbitrator, Julie represents clients in arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings. She also handles special remedies litigation initiated to protect clients from trade secret misappropriation, corporate raiding, breach of contract and fiduciary duties, and other employment-related offenses.
Julie regularly advises public and private companies on labor and employment issues in negotiation, diligence, and transition planning during mergers and acquisitions.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 1996
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., Political Science, French, 1992
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
- 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 Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Related Employment
- Baker & McKenzie, Chicago, IL, Associate, 1996-2000
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Extern for Judge Harry D. Leinenweber, 1996
Professional Recognition
Listed in Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyers" for Labor & Employment, 2022-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Employment Law - Management, 2024
Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Rising Stars of Washington Law,” 2011
Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Washington's Super Lawyers", 2012-2013
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Bar Association, Section of Labor & Employment Law
- Washington State Bar Association
- King County Bar Association, Section of Labor & Employment Law
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Labor & Employment
Williams v. Boeing
Defended The Boeing Company against disability discrimination, retaliation, and violation of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claims by former employee in federal court and arbitration under the collective bargaining agreement with the union.
Dicomitis v. United Parcel Service (UPS)
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Defense counsel in a disability discrimination and failure to accommodate case dismissed on summary judgment. Summary judgment for UPS affirmed by the Ninth Circuit. 743 F. App’x 144 (9th Cir. 2018)
Smith v. Armtec Countermeasures Co.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Lead defense counsel in race discrimination case dismissed on summary judgment. 2016 WL 6661172 (W.D. Ark. Nov. 10, 2016)
Peeler v. Boeing, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Lead trial counsel for Boeing in WLAD suit where the plaintiff alleged failure to accommodate, disability discrimination, and gender based hostile work environment claims. Complete defense judgment after a six-day bench trial.
Huge v. Boeing
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Lead trial counsel for Boeing in ADA and WLAD suit where the plaintiff alleged failure to accommodate, retaliation, and disability discrimination claims. Complete defense judgment after a five-day bench trial. Ninth Circuit affirmed. 728 F. App'x 770, 772 (9th Cir. 2018).
Freeman v. U.S. Bank
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Lead trial counsel in promissory estoppel claim suit. Complete defense judgment after bench trial. 2014 WL 3767443. Negligent misrepresentation claim and promissory estoppel claim dismissed on summary judgment, 2012 WL 833033; Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of negligent misrepresentation claim and remanded promissory estoppel claim. 527 Fed. Appx. 619 (9th Cir. 2013).
Buffelen v. Haggen Inc.
Superior Court of Washington, King County
First chair for two-week jury trial on disability discrimination and retaliation claims; complete defense verdict.
Sorey v. U.S. Bank
Superior Court of Washington, Spokane County
Lead trial counsel in bench trial on wage claims; defense judgment.
Jones v. U.S. Bank
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Lead counsel in age discrimination case dismissed on summary judgment. Summary judgment for U.S. Bank affirmed by the Ninth Circuit. 294 F. App'x 281, 282 (9th Cir. 2008)
Jones, et al. v. The Boeing Company
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Defense of race discrimination and retaliation claims brought by current and former Boeing employees.
Messinger v. U.S. Bank
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Lead trial counsel in bench trial on age discrimination and handbook claims; defense judgment on discrimination claim.
Calender v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Defense of class race discrimination claims brought in Chicago federal court by a purported nationwide class comprised of employees of Boeing's merger partners, McDonnell Douglas and Rockwell Corporation.
Ag Grower Sales v. Atkins, et al.
Represented employer in action against former employees and competitor for misappropriation of trade secrets.
O'Regan v. Arbitration Forums Inc.
Successfully briefed and presented oral argument in consolidated appeals in age and sex discrimination case. 246 F.3d 975 (7th Cir. 2001)
Camacho v. Smart & Final Inc.
Represented Smart & Final Inc. in a wage-and-hour case where a class of retail managers and assistant managers in California brought claims for overtime based on alleged misclassification of exempt and nonexempt employees.
Holmly v. Haggen Inc.
Sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims.
Swanson v. Life Care Centers of America
Disability discrimination and wrongful discharge claims.