Philip A. Thompson
Philip has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of public and private sector employment and labor relations, employment litigation and school law.
Philip Thompson counsels clients on labor and employment law, administrative proceedings, arbitrations, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour litigation, wrongful discharge litigation, strike planning and litigation, collective bargaining and administrative hearings on student discipline, special education and employment.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 1982
- University of Washington, M.B.A., 1982
- University of Washington, B.A., Finance, 1977
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Office of the King County Prosecuting Attorney, Seattle, WA, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Supervisor, Labor and Employment Section, 1995-1997; Civil Division Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 1994
- Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (“Metro”), Seattle, WA, Staff Attorney for Human Resources, 1989-1993
- Seattle School District, Seattle, WA, Assistant General Counsel, 1984-1989; Staff Attorney, 1982-1984; Legal Intern, 1980-1982
Professional Recognition
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Education Law; Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2018-2024
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 Pro Bono Screening Panel
- Greenwood Neighborhood Legal Clinic
- Loren Miller Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee
- University of Washington Business and Economic Development Program
- Washington Council of School Attorneys
Community Involvement
- Council House, Inc., Board Member, 2021-present
News
Professional Experience
Labor & Employment
Fred Andersen, et al. v. City of Everett
Defense of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime claims by 90 police officers. Three-week bench trial; defense judgment; affirmed.
Archer v. Boeing
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), emotional distress, breach of contract, and various discrimination claims.
Asfaw v. Alaska Airlines Inc.
Race discrimination and retaliation claims.
Athearn v. Alaska Airlines Inc.
Defended Alaska Airlines against employment claims by 14 plaintiffs. Won summary judgment dismissing all claims and affirmance of that judgment on appeal. 118 Fed. Appx. 172 (9th Cir. 2004)
Clark, et al. v. King County
Contract worker class action for employee benefits.
Elias v. The Boeing Company
Defamation claim.
Wanda Haynes v. Seattle School District No. 1, et al.
Defended successfully a breach of contract claim by teacher. 111 Wn.2d 250, 758 P.2d 7
Jones, et al. v. The Boeing Company
Defense of race discrimination and retaliation claims brought by current and former Boeing employees.
Reginald Kees, et al. v. Arthur Wallenstein
Disability discrimination claims. Summary judgment affirmed. 973 F. Supp. 1191 (W.D. Wash. 1997) aff’d, 161 F.3d 1196 (9th Cir. 1998)
Knox, et al. v. King County, Logan, et al. v. King County, Clark, et al. v. King County
Defense of temporary, part-time and contract worker class actions for employee benefits.
Edward Lew v. Seattle School District No. 1
Breach of contract claim by school counselor. 47 Wn. App. 575, 736 P.2d 690 (1987)
Tolmasoff v. Boeing
Sexual harassment claim.