Paul E. Smith
- Seattle
- Phoenix
Paul has extensive experience working on labor law issues, major restructurings, and wage-and-hour, disability, discrimination, and harassment matters.
Paul E. Smith serves as a trusted advisor to his clients, counseling and litigating a full range of labor and employment issues. He has handled a variety of matters, including leading a cross-border investigation of workplace misconduct, advising numerous organizations on union organizing campaigns, defending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and responding to whistleblower claims under Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX). Paul has defended clients against discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims in federal and state courts, emphasizing early resolution through dispositive motions. He has also frequently served as lead counsel in both private and public sector labor arbitrations and in unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board and state agencies.
In addition to Paul's robust employment law practice, he is a seasoned litigator. He has served as lead attorney on lawsuits in both state and federal courts, including four defense-verdict trials.
Prior to his work at Perkins Coie, Paul served as the chief employment lawyer at a global, publicly traded manufacturing company and later as vice president of human resources for the company's largest business segment. During his time as in-house counsel, Paul managed employment, immigration, health, safety, and environmental law matters and oversaw the employment law aspects of numerous acquisitions and divestitures of complex global businesses. He also led investigations into highly sensitive and critical matters, including allegations of misconduct against senior executives and fatal workplace accidents. Paul has extensive experience developing and delivering training to human resources professionals and senior management across a range of employment law topics.
Paul also served as one of three in-chambers clerks for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before attending law school, Paul was a management consultant for Bain & Co. in Boston.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D.
- The University of Chicago, B.A., Political Science
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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Arizona
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Related Employment
- Terex Corporation, Redmond, WA, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Employment, 2019-2021; Vice President, Human Resources, Aerial Work Platforms, 2016-2019; Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Employment, 2008-2016
- Perkins Coie LLP, Bellevue, WA, Partner, Labor & Employment, 1998-2008; Associate, 1992-1998
Clerkships
- Hon. Diarmuid O'Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
