Seattle employment lawyers for employees
Fired, harassed, retaliated against, or not paid what you earned at a Seattle job? Crosner Legal represents employees and has an office at 1700 7th Ave #2100, Seattle, WA 98101. Free, confidential case review.
Fired or mistreated at work in Seattle? Talk to an employment lawyer free.
Seattle employment claims we handle
- Wrongful termination
- Retaliation and whistleblower claims
- Harassment and sexual harassment
- Discrimination (race, sex, age, disability, pregnancy and more)
- Unpaid wages and overtime
- Misclassification as an independent contractor or “exempt” employee
- Wage-and-hour class actions on behalf of groups of co-workers
Washington and Seattle laws that protect workers
Seattle minimum wage. Seattle sets its own minimum wage, higher than the state rate: $21.30 per hour in 2026 and $22.14 per hour in 2027.
Source: Seattle Office of Labor Standards – Minimum wage
State minimum wage. The Washington minimum wage is $17.13 per hour in 2026 and $17.73 per hour in 2027.
Source: Washington L&I – Minimum wage
Discrimination (WLAD). The Washington Law Against Discrimination makes it an unfair practice for an employer to refuse to hire, fire, or discriminate in pay or terms of employment because of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal, among other protections.
Source: RCW 49.60.180
Who is covered. Under the WLAD, an “employer” generally means one who employs eight or more people (religious non-profits are excluded).
Source: RCW 49.60.040
Right to sue. A person injured by a WLAD violation may bring a civil action for actual damages, plus costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
Source: RCW 49.60.030
Wages withheld willfully. An employer (and responsible officers or agents) who willfully withholds wages in violation of RCW 49.52.050 can be liable for twice the wages withheld, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.
Source: RCW 49.52.070
Key deadlines and agencies
| Claim / agency | Deadline or key rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State Human Rights Commission (discrimination complaint) | File within six months of the alleged act | RCW 49.60.230 |
| Willful wage withholding | Double damages plus fees available in a civil action | RCW 49.52.070 |
| Seattle Office of Labor Standards | Enforces Seattle labor standards such as the minimum wage ordinance (SMC 14.19) | Seattle Office of Labor Standards – Minimum wage |
Deadlines depend on the claim and can be affected by other filings. This is a summary, not legal advice. Federal claims (for example, EEOC charges) have their own deadlines. Talk to a lawyer early.
How an employment case with Crosner Legal works
- Free case review. Call or fill out the form. We listen to what happened and ask about dates, pay records and documents.
- Evaluation. We look at which state, local and federal laws may apply, which deadlines matter, and whether co-workers were affected the same way.
- Agency or court. Depending on the claim, a case may start with an agency complaint or go straight to court. We explain the options and trade-offs.
- Investigation and negotiation. We gather evidence, deal with your employer and its lawyers, and pursue a resolution.
- Litigation if needed. If a case does not resolve, we can litigate it. Many cases resolve before trial, but no outcome is guaranteed.
Why workers call Crosner Legal
- Contingency fee: you pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you
- Free, confidential consultations
- Seattle office: 1700 7th Ave #2100, Seattle, WA 98101
- Zachary Crosner is licensed in Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois and New York
- Experience bringing wage-and-hour class actions, as well as individual employment claims
Your attorneys
Attorneys licensed in Washington:
- Zachary Crosner
- Jamie Serb
- Brandon Brouillette
- Ryan Tack-Hooper
- Erika Lane
- Gwendolyn "Nikki" Trenner
- Victoria (Tori) Ainsworth
- Sam Fenton
- J. Kirk Donnelly
- Matthew Crawford
- Cameron Flynn
Related pages
- Washington employment lawyer
- Washington wrongful termination lawyer
- Washington unpaid wage and overtime lawyer
- Understanding workplace discrimination in Washington
- Contact us
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Seattle?
The Seattle minimum wage is $21.30 per hour in 2026 and $22.14 per hour in 2027, according to the Seattle Office of Labor Standards. The Washington statewide minimum is $17.13 in 2026 and $17.73 in 2027.
Can I be fired for any reason in Washington?
Employers cannot fire you for an illegal reason, such as discrimination based on a protected characteristic or retaliation for protected activity. Whether a firing was illegal depends on the facts, so it is worth talking to an employment lawyer.
How long do I have to file a discrimination complaint in Washington?
A complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission must generally be filed within six months of the alleged act of discrimination (RCW 49.60.230). Court lawsuits and federal claims have different deadlines.
What if my employer did not pay my final wages or overtime?
You may have a wage claim. If an employer willfully withheld wages, Washington law (RCW 49.52.070) allows recovery of twice the amount withheld plus attorneys’ fees.
How much does it cost to talk to Crosner Legal?
The consultation is free. We handle employment cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront fees or hourly rates. We only get paid if we recover money for you.
Last updated October 2026.
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Crosner Legal is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any government agency.