Jacqueline Middleton

Jackie Middleton has experience in a variety of litigation matters—including employment and business disputes—from pre-litigation through final disposition.

She has represented employers in workplace disputes on a wide range of claims, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, protected leave, and wage and hour violations. Jackie also advises companies on employment law compliance and represents employers in workplace investigations brought by the Washington State Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Education

Seattle University School of Law, J.D., 2017, cum laude; Executive Editor of Notes & Comments, Seattle University Law Review

Melbourne Law School, 2016, J.D. Exchange Student

Chapman University, Orange, Calif., B.A., Political Science/minor: Communications Studies, 2012

Admissions

Washington

United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington

Languages

• Defend employers in COVID-19 vaccine-related disputes and litigation.
• Successful representation of health care system before Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to religious and disability discrimination claims for employee’s separation after failing to obtain COVID-19 vaccine in compliance with Governor Inslee’s proclamation, resulting in dismissal and finding of no probable cause for 37 claimants. 
• Advise companies and individuals regarding unfair competition and non-complete disputes.
• Defend multiple putative class action in State Court, Federal Court, and AAA alleging rest and meal break claims.
• Compelled wage and hour claims to individual arbitration in putative class action against franchisee.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal of discrimination lawsuit brought against a health care system, successfully defeating claim that employer terminated plaintiff related to positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Resolved products liability claims against a local manufacturer filed in King County Superior Court, at no cost to manufacturer.
• Assist as local counsel in King County Superior Court for general litigation matters.
• Second chaired a jury trial for defendant/counter-plaintiff in an employment law dispute for withholding of wages and contract breach resulting in the dismissal of the claims against defendant and a verdict of more than $500,000 for counter-plaintiff.
• Second chaired a jury trial for plaintiff in an employment law dispute for wrongful termination against public policy.
• Second chaired a bench trial defending a recreational vehicle manufacturer against a products liability claim.
• Achieved overturning a summary judgment dismissal before the Washington Court of Appeals, Division I.
• Successfully represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity and Washington State Human Rights Commission assisting in responses to Charges of Discrimination and achieving agency findings of no probable cause.
• Advised and negotiated severance and settlement agreements for employees and employers.

Insights & Presentations

• Chair and presenter, Introduction to Employment Law CLE, WSBA, June 2021
• “Inconsistencies in Combating the Sex Trafficking of Minors” Seattle University Law Review, 2017

• Listed among Rising Stars (Employment & Labor: Employer, Employment Litigation: Defense), Washington Super Lawyers^®, 2022–present
• Recognized in Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Next Generation in Law” series, March 2024

Professional

• William L. Dwyer Inn of Court, Member, 2021–present
• Stoel Rives’ Associates Committee, Seattle Office Representative, 2023–2024

Civic

• Minds Matter Seattle, Board Member, 2022–present