A headshot of Sean Jackson.

Sean D. Jackson

Partner
Seattle

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  

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