Sean Jackson is an experienced management-side employment litigator. He counsels clients and defends them against allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, whistleblowing, wage and hour claims, disability accommodation concerns, and retaliation. He also safeguards clients' intellectual property through strategic advice and litigation concerning non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, employee lift-outs, and trade secrets. Sean represents public and private employers across diverse industries. He handles matters throughout their life cycle including arbitrations and jury trials.
Sean helps employers avoid litigation by offering guidance and management training on:
- Noncompete agreements and other employee restrictive covenants;
- Employment contracts;
- Employee terminations and discipline;
- Leave and disability laws;
- Personnel policies; and
- Internal investigations.
Experience
Representative Matters
Discrimination and Harassment
- Summary judgment in favor of national grocery chain dismissing claims of racial discrimination, harassment, and defamation
- Trial counsel on behalf of a local governmental entity and its elected official in a jury trial involving claims of racial discrimination and defamation
- Trial counsel on behalf of a construction company in a jury trial involving claims of whistleblowing, race discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Washington State Bar Association
Oregon State Bar
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management, 2024-2025
Thomson Reuters, "Washington Super Lawyer," Civil Litigation, 2016-2019; Employment Litigation: Defense, 2016-2019, 2024
Thomson Reuters, "Washington Rising Star," Employment Litigation: Defense; Civil Litigation, 2013
Speaking Engagements
"Best Practices for Best Employers™" Lane Powell Labor and Employment Seminar, Lane Powell, September and October, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
86th Annual Conference, Northwest Human Resource Management Association, September 25, 2024
"Navigating Troubled Waters: Developments in Maritime Law and Vessel Arrests," Association of Transportation Law Professionals, June 25, 2024
"Avoiding Gotcha: Steps Employers Should Take to Investigate Complaints and Reduce the Risk of Retaliation Claims," Northwest Human Resource Management Association, October 5, 2022
Publications
"Rewriting the Route: Changes to DOL Independent Contractor Rule," Association of Transportation Law Professionals, August 20, 2024
"Breaking Down the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes: What Employers Need to Know," Southern Oregon Business Journal, April 30, 2024
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
Gonzaga University School of Law (J.D. 2002)
Gonzaga Journal of International Law, Managing Editor
Eastern Washington University (B.A. 1999)
Admissions
Washington
Oregon
U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
U.S. District for the District of Oregon
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals