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Lawyer Profile

Image of William M. Symmes

William M. Symmes

Witherspoon Kelley
  • Recognized Since:
    2013
  • Recognized in:
    Commercial Litigation
    Labor Law - Management...
  • Lawyer Page:
    http://www.witherspoonkelley.c...
  • Website:
    https://www.witherspoonkelley....
  • Location:
    422 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 1100
    Spokane, WA 99201-0300

William Symmes represents clients in Labor & Employment related litigation and business matters. He has successfully defended many of the firm’s clients in an array of employment matters, including harassment, discrimination and retaliation, breach of contract, and wage and hour. William also represents clients in arbitrations under Collective Bargaining Agreements and before the National Labor Relations Board. In connection with many of these matters, William has gained particular experience in drafting, reviewing and litigating executive contracts, covenants not to compete, confidentiality and non-disclosure, non-use agreements.

William also has represented a number of clients in shareholder disputes and D & O liability matters. William often uses his litigation experience to frequently advise clients in structuring transactions to minimize the risk of costly disputes and litigation.

  • Licensed to practice in Washington, Idaho and Oregon
  • Joined Witherspoon Kelley in 1994

Highlights/Achievements

  • Best Lawyers USA Today Business Edition – Employment Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2015
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2015 "Lawyer of the Year" for the Spokane region.
  • Top Lawyers – Spokane & Coeur d’Alene Living, 2010-2014
  • AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, 2000-2014
  • Superb Rating (No. 10) Avvo, 2010 to 2014

Representative Work

  • Davis v. Fred’s Appliance, 171 Wn. App 348 (2012) (Affirmed summary judgment: No cause of action exists for perceived sexual orientation discrimination.)
  • Cornwell v. Roses & More, 166 Wn. App. 1004 (2012) (Affirmed in part, reversed in part summary judgment on behalf of employer.)
  • Rimov v. Schultz, 162 Wn. App. 274 (2011) (Successful appeal concerning the scope and enforceability of arbitration agreement.)
  • Khan v. Spokane Women’s Clinic (2009) (Successful defense verdict on counterclaim)
  • Sterling Savings v. US, 80 Fed. Cl. 497 (2008) (Plaintiff’s verdict in a banking contract claim.)
  • Dixson v. Empire Health Svc., Inc., 136 Wn. App. 1050 (2007) (Employment/ERISA)
  • Keystone Masonry, Inc. v. Garco Construction, Inc., 135 Wn. App. 927 (2006) (Construction)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 57 Fed cl. 234 (2003) (Complex commercial)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 57 Fed. cl. 445 (2003) (Complex commercial)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 53 Fed. cl. 599 (2002) (Complex commercial)
  • Baker v. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 951 F. Supp 953 (E.D.Wa 1996) (Employment)
Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details

Lawyer Bio

William Symmes represents clients in Labor & Employment related litigation and business matters. He has successfully defended many of the firm’s clients in an array of employment matters, including harassment, discrimination and retaliation, breach of contract, and wage and hour. William also represents clients in arbitrations under Collective Bargaining Agreements and before the National Labor Relations Board. In connection with many of these matters, William has gained particular experience in drafting, reviewing and litigating executive contracts, covenants not to compete, confidentiality and non-disclosure, non-use agreements.

William also has represented a number of clients in shareholder disputes and D & O liability matters. William often uses his litigation experience to frequently advise clients in structuring transactions to minimize the risk of costly disputes and litigation.

  • Licensed to practice in Washington, Idaho and Oregon
  • Joined Witherspoon Kelley in 1994

Highlights/Achievements

  • Best Lawyers USA Today Business Edition – Employment Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2015
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2015 "Lawyer of the Year" for the Spokane region.
  • Top Lawyers – Spokane & Coeur d’Alene Living, 2010-2014
  • AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, 2000-2014
  • Superb Rating (No. 10) Avvo, 2010 to 2014

Representative Work

  • Davis v. Fred’s Appliance, 171 Wn. App 348 (2012) (Affirmed summary judgment: No cause of action exists for perceived sexual orientation discrimination.)
  • Cornwell v. Roses & More, 166 Wn. App. 1004 (2012) (Affirmed in part, reversed in part summary judgment on behalf of employer.)
  • Rimov v. Schultz, 162 Wn. App. 274 (2011) (Successful appeal concerning the scope and enforceability of arbitration agreement.)
  • Khan v. Spokane Women’s Clinic (2009) (Successful defense verdict on counterclaim)
  • Sterling Savings v. US, 80 Fed. Cl. 497 (2008) (Plaintiff’s verdict in a banking contract claim.)
  • Dixson v. Empire Health Svc., Inc., 136 Wn. App. 1050 (2007) (Employment/ERISA)
  • Keystone Masonry, Inc. v. Garco Construction, Inc., 135 Wn. App. 927 (2006) (Construction)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 57 Fed cl. 234 (2003) (Complex commercial)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 57 Fed. cl. 445 (2003) (Complex commercial)
  • Sterling Savings v. U.S., 53 Fed. cl. 599 (2002) (Complex commercial)
  • Baker v. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 951 F. Supp 953 (E.D.Wa 1996) (Employment)
Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Award List
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Labor and Employment

Education:

  • Yale University , BA, graduated 1989

Bar Admissions:

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for:

  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Spokane (2017)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Spokane (2015)
 

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
 

Awards:

 

Lawyer Client Comments

-

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Witherspoon Kelley View Firm Profile
Witherspoon Kelley
https://www.witherspoonkelley....
 
Headquarters
422 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201-0300
509-624-5265
2 Office Locations
in 1 Country

United States

United States

Idaho

Idaho

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Spokesman Review Building, Suite 300

608 Northwest Boulevard

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814-2146

United States

208-667-4000

Get Directions

 
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