BigLaw firm allegedly took several pages from a ‘Retaliating Employee’s Handbook’, according to a lawsuit.
Law Firms
BigLaw firm took several pages from ‘Retaliating Employer’s Handbook,’ suit alleges
January 23, 2025, 11:11 am CST
A counsel at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle has filed a retaliation lawsuit against the law firm and several partners, including one defendant who moved into the plaintiff’s Seattle apartment building–allegedly on the firm’s dime. (Image from Shutterstock)
Updated: A counsel at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle has filed a retaliation lawsuit against the law firm and several partners, including one defendant who moved into the plaintiff’s Seattle apartment building–allegedly on the firm’s dime.
Lawyer Arthur A. Simpson alleges in his pro se Jan. 9 suit that Davis Wright and several partners “have taken numerous pages straight from the time-tested Retaliating Employer’s Handbook.”
Law360 has the story and provides a link to the complaint, filed in state court in King County, Washington.
The retaliation began, the suit says, after Simpson complained about one partner in 2022 for allegedly asking him to perform actions that he opposed. The partner later moved into Simpson’s apartment building while he was on medical leave to recover from the stress that she had caused, resulting in additional “stress, anxiety, depression, fear and upset” for Simpson.
Simpson’s complaints about the partner were “summarily” rejected, and he was told that he had the option of resigning with a “paltry severance package” or working only remotely, according to the suit. The ultimatum was based upon the “utterly defamatory and false” claim that Simpson posed a threat to his co-workers, according to the suit.
The demands of the firm were dropped, but in reality, “Simpson’s prospects” at DWT had been “cooked,” the suit states.
The demands of the firm were dropped, however, “as a practical matter, Simpson’s future at DWT was cooked,” the lawsuit The suit claims that the firm “never wanted to let bygones go bygones,” and began manipulating his performance reviews. In his 2023 review, he was told to leave the company as soon as possible. Simpson drew his licensed handgun, but did not fire. “And the experience is not much better as an adult.”
Rather than checking in with Simpson, the suit says, Davis Wright managers “cranked up his responsibilities until he was suddenly billing more hours than at any prior time in his career.” At the same time, the suit says, the managers were conducting a behind-the-scenes investigation into whether he had sent grumpy emails to his opposing counsel. “And the experience is not much better as an adult.”
Rather than checking in with Simpson, the suit says, Davis Wright managers “cranked up his responsibilities until he was suddenly billing more hours than at any prior time in his career.” At the same time, the managers were conducting a behind-the-scenes investigation into “whether he was sending grumpy emails to his opposing counsel,” the suit says.
“After two-and-a-half years of sustained retaliation against Simpson, he finally ran out of steam and had to take another medical leave of absence” starting in November 2024, the suit says.
The suit alleges retaliation, disability discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation failure to pay a bonus for which he qualified and civil conspiracy.
Davis Wright provided a statement to Law360 that called Simpson’s allegations “baseless.”
A spokesperson for the firm provided this statement to the ABA Journal: “We have worked extensively to support Mr. Simpson over his tenure with the firm. We regret that Mr. Simpson has chosen to go to court and try to prove his case in the media. We will vigorously defend against his baseless allegations.”
Updated Jan. 23 at 1:59 p.m. to add the statement from the Davis Wright Tremaine spokesperson.
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