Sofia D. Mabee

Before entering private practice, Sofia was a criminal prosecutor and served as an assistant city attorney, experiences which give her uncommon insight into the needs of public sector employers and how conflicts arise and get resolved.

A gifted consensus builder, Sofia enjoys the challenge of unwinding complex problems, persuading others to come to agreement on solutions, and resolving conflicts. Sofia’s practice focuses on:

Labor relations and collective bargaining.  A highly skilled negotiator, Sofia understands the complexities and nuances of labor issues confronted by employers, unions and elected officials. She recognizes that while the goals of each party are sometimes in competition, they also often overlap. With this perspective, and as a strong advocate for her clients, she focuses on developing practical, workable solutions that align objectives, achieve shared goals and preserve critical labor-management relationships.

Labor and employment law compliance.  Sofia helps employers to minimize risk and emphasizes that the same factors that apply to her own work — communication and trust — are essential elements to the labor-management relationship.

Labor and employment dispute resolution.  When disputes arise, Sofia appears before federal and state agencies, including the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as before grievance and interest arbitration panels and in litigation heard in state and federal courts.

Credentials

Awards & Accolades

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2024
• Chambers USA, Labor and Employment, Washington (2018-2023)

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association
• Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (WSAMA)

Community Service

• Yakima YWCA, Board Member (2004–2008), Treasurer (2005–2007)
• Seattle Repertory Theatre Crew, Board Member (2009–2010)

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• “Navigating Protected Leave During the COID-19 Pandemic, Including Federal Updates,” WAPELRA (April 2021)
• “Leave-ing the Pandemic: COVID-19 Impacts on Leave Law and Policy,” AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2021)
• “Update on COVID-19 Employment Issues, Including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Summit Law Group Webinar (March 2020)
• “Managing the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Agency: Impacts to Employees,” MRSC Webinar (March 2020)
• “Negotiating with Unions in the Public Sector,” AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2021, May 2019, May 2018 and May 2017)
• “Responding to Preliminary Rulings,” WAPELRA Fall Conference (March 2018)
• "Advising Unions and Employers on Washington's Sick Leave Law," Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Labor & Employment Section Mini-CLE (February 2018)
• "The Public Records Act, Personnel and Bargaining Records," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2017)
• "Washington State Family Medical Leave Law and Mandated Paid Sick Leave," WAPELRA (October 2017)
• "HR/Personnel/Collective Bargaining Records and the PRA," Washington Association of Public Records Officers (WAPRO) Fall Conference Panel (October 2017)
• "The Do's and Don'ts of Conducting Performance Evaluations," WAPELRA (November 2016)
• "Are Your Fitness for Duty Practices Fit for Duty?," National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) Webinar (October 2016)
• "Help Wanted: Recruiting and Hiring Employees," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2016)
• "Consult a Labor Lawyer," Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) 39th Annual Collective Bargaining & Arbitration Conference (March 2016)
• “Social Media/Texting,” WAPRO Fall Conference (October 2015)
• “Defending Your Camp: Countering Union Negotiating Tactics,” WAPELRA Fall Conference (September 2015)
• "Recruitment and Selection in the Changing World," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2015)
• "FLSA Refresher - Overview of Troublesome Overtime Issues for Public Employers," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2014)
• "Interest Arbitration from A to Z," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2014)
• "Every Move You Make: Security Cameras at the Workplace," Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) (April 2014)
• "Role of Arbitration in Union/Management Relations and Responding to Grievances Before Arbitration," NPELRA Labor Relations Academy II (September 2013)
• "Duty to Bargain and the Scope of Bargaining," NPELRA Labor Relations Academy I (September 2013)
• "Fitness-for-Duty: Walking the Medical-Legal Tightrope," AWC Labor Relations Institute (May 2013)
• "Personnel Records: Hot Issues and Practical Solutions," WAPRO Spring Conference (April 2013)
• "Clear Contract Language," Panelist, WAPELRA Spring Conference (March 2013)
• "Employee Information and Public Records Disclosure Obligations," AWC Labor Relations Institute (April 2012)
• "Public Records Requests and Personnel Records," Panelist, WAPRO Spring Training (April 2012)
• "Are your Fitness for Duty Practices Fit for Duty?," WAPELRA Fall Conference (September 2011)
• "Current Challenges in Local Government Law: Human Resources Issues," National Business Institute (November 2010)
• "Personnel Records," Panelist, WAPRO Fall Training (October 2010)
• "Legal Ramifications of the Social Media Explosion: An Employer's Guide," AWC Labor Relations Institute (April 2010)
• "Curbing Absenteeism: Using Recent Change to the FMLA to the Employer's Advantage," Washington State Transit Insurance Pool (WSTIP) webinar (December 2009)
• "FLSA Hot Topics: Donning and Doffing, Furloughs, Take Home Vehicles & Training," WAPELRA Fall Conference (September 2009)
• "Perceptions of Women in the Legal Profession," Panelist, MAMA Seattle Brown Bag Luncheon (May 2009)

News