Spokane Employment Lawyer

Spokane 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

Working in Spokane and Eastern Washington

Spokane does not have its own minimum wage or paid sick leave ordinance like Seattle or Tacoma, so Washington state law sets the baseline for most Spokane workers. That includes the state minimum wage, paid sick leave and the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

State-court employment cases from Spokane are typically filed in Spokane County Superior Court, and federal cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, which sits in Spokane. Our Washington office is in Seattle, roughly 280 miles away, so most of our work with Spokane clients happens remotely, with in-person meetings arranged when needed.

We work with employees in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, Airway Heights, Medical Lake and the rest of Spokane County.

Washington laws that protect Spokane workers

Minimum wage. Spokane follows the Washington state minimum wage: $17.13 per hour in 2026 and $17.73 per hour in 2027.

Source: Washington L&I – Minimum wage

State paid sick leave. Washington employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.

Source: RCW 49.46.210

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

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

1. Free case review. Call or fill out the form. We listen to what happened and ask about dates, pay records and documents.
2. Evaluation. We look at which state, local and federal laws may apply, which deadlines matter, and whether co-workers were affected the same way.
3. 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.
4. Investigation and negotiation. We gather evidence, deal with your employer and its lawyers, and pursue a resolution.
5. 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
• Washington 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
• Seattle employment lawyer
• Washington wrongful termination lawyer
• Washington unpaid wage and overtime lawyer
• Crosner Legal in Washington
• Contact us

FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Spokane?

Spokane uses the Washington state minimum wage: $17.13 per hour in 2026 and $17.73 per hour in 2027, according to Washington L&I.

Can a Seattle-based firm handle my Spokane case?

Yes. Washington employment law applies statewide, and our attorneys are licensed in Washington. We handle most communication by phone, email and video and can arrange in-person meetings when needed.

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.

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.