Tacoma employment lawyers for employees
Fired, harassed, retaliated against or not paid what you earned at a Tacoma or Pierce County job? Crosner Legal represents employees from its Washington office at 1700 7th Ave #2100 in downtown Seattle, about 35 miles north of Tacoma. Free, confidential case review by phone or video.
Fired or mistreated at work in Tacoma? Talk to an employment lawyer free.
Tacoma 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 Tacoma and Pierce County
Tacoma workers are covered by Washington state law and, for paid sick leave, by the City of Tacoma’s own ordinance. State-court employment lawsuits arising in Tacoma are typically filed in Pierce County Superior Court, and federal cases may be heard in the federal courthouse in Tacoma (Western District of Washington).
We work with employees across Pierce County and the South Sound, including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, Fife, Federal Way, Gig Harbor and Spanaway. Most of a case can be handled by phone, email and video, and we can meet in person when needed.
Washington and Tacoma laws that protect workers
Tacoma minimum wage. Tacoma does not currently set a separate minimum wage; the City directs workers and employers to the Washington state rate, which is $17.13 per hour in 2026 and $17.73 per hour in 2027.
Source: City of Tacoma – Minimum Employment Standards; Washington L&I – Minimum wage
Tacoma paid sick leave (TMC 18.10). Employees who work in Tacoma accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked in the city, may use it starting on the 90th calendar day of employment, and may carry over up to 40 unused hours. The City notes its ordinance is broader than state law in some areas, for example covering salaried workers.
Source: Tacoma Municipal Code ch. 18.10; City of Tacoma – Paid Sick Leave (TMC 18.10)
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
| 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 |
| City of Tacoma paid sick leave | Complaints about Tacoma paid sick leave can be made to the City; state sick leave is enforced by L&I | City of Tacoma – Paid Sick Leave (TMC 18.10) |
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
- 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 Tacoma?
Tacoma follows the Washington state minimum wage: $17.13 per hour in 2026 and $17.73 per hour in 2027, according to Washington L&I. The City of Tacoma refers workers to L&I for the current rate.
Does Tacoma have its own paid sick leave law?
Yes. Tacoma Municipal Code chapter 18.10 requires at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked in the city, usable from the 90th day of employment, with carryover of up to 40 hours. Washington’s statewide sick leave law (RCW 49.46.210) also applies.
Where would my Tacoma employment case be filed?
It depends on the claim. State-court cases from Tacoma are commonly filed in Pierce County Superior Court; some claims start with an agency such as the Washington State Human Rights Commission, and federal claims may go to the U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
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.