| In 1994, Mike
joined Stafford Frey Cooper. He was promoted to shareholder status
in January 2000. He is "AV" rated by Martindale
Hubbell and was named a "Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics
magazine. Since joining Stafford Frey Cooper, two-thirds of his
practice is devoted to employment law. As an employment attorney,
Mike consults with and advises clients (primarily employers)
on employment matters, and represents parties (primarily employers)
on employment-related claims. He also investigates employee harassment,
discrimination, and retaliation complaints in a neutral investigator
capacity, and trains employers, employees, and employment lawyers
on employment-related issues. Mike conducts sexual harassment
workshops during which he trains both employees and supervisors
on various aspects of the law. Mike wrote the employment
law chapters of the book, "How to Stay Out of Court and
In Business," which is directed to business owners and managers.
Since 1994, Mike has represented defendants in approximately
75 litigated employment cases. He represents private businesses
in litigation that includes civil rights, wage and hour, and
non-compete issues. He is also appointed counsel for Washington
Cities Insurance Authority and Washington Government Entity Pool
in employment and tort litigation. Mike has also served
as an expert witness in cases where the handling of an employment-related
claim was an issue.
Since 1994, Mike has also represented churches in tort-related
litigation. He includes among his clients the Roman Catholic
Church, the Mormon Church, the Baptists, the Mennonites, and
several congregations of non-denominational protestants. He has developed an expertise in tort and First Amendment
law as it applies to churches being sued in civil court.
Mike also represents parties in therapist malpractice
cases. He has represented plaintiffs in malpractice
lawsuits against their mental health providers. He also represents
mental health providers in lawsuits and licensing board complaints.
Mike has presented at a number of seminars/CLEs on topics
including religious discrimination, sexual harassment, the Family
Medical Leave Act, direct examination, negligent hiring and supervision,
defamation, the fair credit reporting act and investigations
of employees, and the unique aspects of employment discrimination
claims against government entities. Education
| • |
New York University
School of Law, J.D., 1989 |
| • |
University of
Michigan, A.B. with high honors, 1986 |
Recent Representative Cases
| • |
Client:
City of Des Moines
Matters: Defended the negligence claims against Des Moines
in the Vili Fualaau/Mary Kay Letourneau lawsuit (jury trial);
defended wrongful termination/First Amendment claim by discharged
police officer (summary judgment); defended breach of contract
claim by former municipal judge |
| • |
Client:
City of Auburn
Matters: Defended false arrest/malicious prosecution claim
(jury trial); defended negligence claims arising from injuries
during riot training exercise; defended age and sex discrimination
claim |
| • |
Client:
City of Renton
Matters: Defended retaliation/First Amendment claim by firefighter
(bench trial); defended excessive force claim |
| • |
Client:
City of Cheney
Matter: Defended disability discrimination claim (jury trial) |
| • |
Client:
State of Washington
Matters: Defended retaliation/constructive discharge claim;
defended disability discrimination/retaliation claim |
| • |
Client:
Stephen Drummond
Matter: Represented plaintiff in malpractice claim resulting
in $2.1 million verdict |
Professional
Experience
| • |
Stafford
Frey Cooper, shareholder, January 2000 to present |
| • |
Stafford
Frey Cooper, litigation associate, May 1994 to January 2000 |
| • |
Perkins Coie, litigation
associate, October 1991 to May 1994 |
| • |
The Hon. Stephen
N. Limbaugh, Eastern District of Missouri, law clerk, August
1989 to August 1991 |
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