Overview
Quinn Oppenheim is an employment litigator and trial lawyer with extensive experience defending both public sector and private sector employers.
Valued by clients for her skill in appraising how each case is unique and its ramifications for a client’s business, Quinn is known for being pragmatic and efficient. She aims to resolve each case consistent with the client’s specific interests and objectives, whether that involves a quick settlement or taking the case through trial.
A former public defender, Quinn has taken hundreds of cases to court – giving her a trial lawyer’s ability to assess the strength of each case and a readiness to go to trial that drives favorable settlements at the negotiating table. Put simply, she has a keen sense of which battles are worth fighting.
Experienced advising on the full range of employment disputes, Quinn has particularly deep expertise advising on:
Wage and hour litigation and class actions. Quinn has extensive experience advising on individual lawsuits as well as class action disputes between employers and employees regarding compensation, hours worked, and related workplace issues. She has handled cases involving allegations of unpaid wages, overtime violations, minimum wage violations, meal and rest break violations, misclassification of employees as exempt from overtime, service charges related to tipping in the restaurant industry, and drive time allowances for employees using employer-provided vehicles.
Non-compete and restrictive covenants, employment and severance agreements, and related litigation. Quinn advises employers on entering into agreements designed to prevent employees from engaging in competitive activities after leaving their job and, when necessary, she represents employers in litigating non-compete and restrictive covenant disputes. She also advises executives regarding such agreements, as well as general employment, compensation, and severance agreements.
Employment discrimination. Quinn defends employers in lawsuits brought by employees claiming discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, including alleged violations of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and other federal and state laws.
Grievance arbitrations. Quinn represents employers with unionized workplaces in grievance proceedings.
She also teaches employment law as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law.
Outside of the office, you can find Quinn chasing her daughter around local playgrounds, wandering around Capitol Hill, and seeking out spicy Chinese food.
Credentials
Education
- Columbia University School of Law (J.D., 2004); Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Bryn Mawr College (A.B., 2001, magna cum laude)
Admissions
- Washington State California Pennsylvania United States District Court, Western District of Washington United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Awards & Accolades
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2024
- Washington Super Lawyers list (2020 - 2024)
- Labor & Employment Star, Benchmark Litigation (2019-2021)
- 40 & Under Hot List, Litigation, Benchmark Litigation (2017-2021)
- Selected to “Rising Star" honor, Washington Super Lawyers (2013 - 2014)
Community Service
- Litigation Practice Group Leader, Summit Law Group (2016-2019)
- Board of Directors, SightConnection (2013-2015)
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Lessons Learned from Female & Minority Leaders, Litigators, and Dealmakers,” Women, Diversity & Change Summit, November 2019
- Speaker, “Washington’s New Non-Compete Law,” New Tech Northwest Workshop, June 2019
- Speaker, “Wage and Hour Law Trends,” Washington State Transit Insurance Pool Board Meeting, March 2019
- Author, "Minority Report: The Future of Legal Services and AI," Chambers and Partners, eDiscovery & Disclosure 2019, Trends and Developments, January 2019
- Speaker, "Employment Law Update," Labor Relations Institute, May 2018
- Author, "Update on New Washington State Employment Laws," Summit Law Group Labor & Employment Newsletter, May 2018
- Speaker, "Gathering and Using Electronic Discovery Evidence," Washington State Bar Association Evidence CLE, August 2018
Experience
Representative Matters
- Defending a call center in a wage and hour class action relating to allegations of pre-and post-shift work. After Plaintiffs’ claims were reduced significantly via a series of summary judgment wins, they voluntarily dismissed their remaining claims on the eve of trial.
- Assisting an online retailer with non-compete matters. Advise regarding non-compete implications in hiring new employees and negotiate or litigate regarding non-compete violations by departing employees.
- Defending a local transit agency in a wage and hour class action relating to allegations of pre-shift work.
- Defending an insurance brokerage against allegations of tortious interference with a competitor’s business and misappropriation of a customer list.
- Representing a local marine company in a copyright and trade secrets dispute with a former employee.
- Defending a medical device manufacturer against wage withholding allegations.
- Defending a local beverage company against allegations of sexual harassment by a top executive.
- Defending Washington municipal and governmental entities in various employment discrimination cases, including allegations of sexual harassment; gender, age, and disability discrimination; and retaliation, including whistleblower retaliation.