Spencer Nathan Thal

PRO

Spencer Nathan Thal

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 35 years

Discrimination Lawyer at Poulsbo, WA
Practice Areas: Discrimination, Car Accidents, Personal Injury ... +8 more

PO Box 939, Poulsbo, WA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Spencer

Biography

Offering remote consultations through video or voice from the comfort of your home, just call!

Practice Areas

11

Practice Areas

Discrimination 20%

34 years | 75 cases

20%
Car Accident 15%

34 years | 200 cases

15%
Employment and Labor 10%

34 years | 250 cases

10%
Personal Injury 10%

34 years | 100 cases

10%
Sexual Harassment 10%

10%
Wrongful Termination 10%

10%
Motorcycle Accident 5%

5%
Slip and Fall Accident 5%

5%
Trucking Accident 5%

5%
Wills and Living Wills 5%

5%
Wrongful Death 5%

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 20 minutes

Contingency

25%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 6

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 35 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1990

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Oregon for 34 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1991

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Vanguard Law

PO Box 939, Poulsbo, WA, 98370

vanguardlawfirm.com

Law Offices of Spencer Nathan Thal

9125 - 15th Place South, Seattle, WA, 98108

vanguardlawfirm.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Spencer online.

Spencer Nathan Thal's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

140 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 10 of 20 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Walter | April 28, 2022 | Employment & Labor

Hands Down, Spencer Thal Delivers!

Spencer Thal has represented me, consulted on issues, or even given legal advice over the shortest of discussions. I've given him the details of my situation(s) and he was on the job with wisdom, knowledge, and background details identifying the mis-steps of my employer, all in action well above and... beyond the average attorney. Spencer Thal lead the legal team for an employment issue I had and I came out prevailing all the way around due to Spencer's due diligence and hard work ethic. These are the reasons I call him back for guidance and will do so again.

Posted by anonymous | October 11, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Strategic guidance, empathetic approach

As a C-suite executive I was in a situation where I needed to negotiate my exit from a company. I consulted with Spencer on my options for exiting and the legal implications/considerations. He provided thoughtful advice on my options - it was just about the legalities. In terms of the engagement Spen...cer was always prompt in his response, clear on the pros/cons, and was able to answer any and all questions. Throughout the process he was reassuring, honest and realistic. He didn't tell me what to do but he gave me all of the facts to consider so that I could comfortably make a decision. In the end, I was happy with where we landed on the agreement.

Posted by Nancy | March 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

A Strong Advocate Delivering a Strong Outcome

I never thought I would be in a position where I needed work-related legal counsel. Hiring Spencer was a smart decision. Spencer helped me navigate a challenging situation. He was extremely knowledgeable. He listened. He was responsive. He is someone you can trust to do what is right for you to get t...he best outcome and at the lowest cost. From day one Spencer provided me with a helpful action-plan and solid guidance. And more importantly, he worked to get me the best possible outcome in a short period of time with the least amount of stress. Spencer was a true advocate, and I am extremely grateful.

Posted by anonymous | February 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Patience wins in the end!!!

As a first time client ever needing to seek legal advice, I’m sure glad I did my research and found this firm for my employment lawsuit. He came highly recommended by other attorneys that I had in my friend circle. Before I even hired Spencer, he was very responsive and detailed about the entire pro...cess and what the possible outcomes and scenarios could look like and costs associated. Him and his legal team were always responsive and reached out anytime a new development was reported. He gave me plenty of time to process and make choices that I felt were best, while giving me his many years of experienced legal advice. He suggested a longer approach to filing my case as I needed some time to heal from the trauma before we began. After looking over all the evidence of the case, he supported my position and offered to represent me with full support. Every step of the process was laid out for me to make decisions and in understandable “non legal language” for my better understanding. We had several check ins and preparations on what to prepare for in depositions and mediation and trial/ settlement outcomes. I would defiantly recommend this firm and Spencer if you are looking for great communication, relatability, quick whit , a great sense of humor and tons of legal experience. You can really tell they strive for justice and back their clients 100 percent. I can’t thank him enough for getting me though one of the most stressful situations of my life. Through all of the waiting and persistence, we succeeded in a positive outcome that went in our favor and huge weight has been lifted off a stressful year. I hope I never need his services again but if I do, I’m glad to have him on my side! Thank you to his son Zack and legal assistant as well. Very professional experience all around.

Posted by Pam | August 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Accident due to negligence

Mr. Thal represented me in connection with a negligence claim against a rehab facility. I was admitted to the facility to recover from major surgery and they administered too much insulin causing my blood sugar to drop dangerously low. I fell out of bed and tore the sutures in my leg which required... me to be hospitalized. He did an excellent job of keeping me informed, explaining the laws and helping me understand the value of my case, while he was negotiating a settlement with the defendants. He is pleasant, patient and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Mr. Thal for any legal assistance you may need.

See All Client Reviews

Spencer Nathan Thal's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Spencer
Kevin Paul Smith headshot
Kevin Smith

Employment and labor lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I fully endorse Spencer. He has proven himself to be extremely knowledgeable and effective counsel. He is also very responsive to communications being sure to inform you of major developments every step of the way. Spencer will be my first contact for possible referrals of plaintiff side employment related matters."

Peter Altman headshot
Peter Altman

Employment and labor lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I've worked with Spencer at several different public agencies. He is a zealous advocate for his clients, but also fair and reasonable. If you're looking for legal counsel on labor & employment matters, look no further."

Lauren Heather Berkowitz headshot
Lauren Berkowitz

Personal injury lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Without reservation, I endorse Spencer. He is straightforward, honest, and easy to work with both as a lawyer and as a client of his. He has a talent for getting insurance companies to respond and negotiate in PI cases, and his wealth of knowledge in labor cases is formidable."

Robert H Lavitt headshot
Robert Lavitt

Employment and labor lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Spencer is an excellent, creative and highly experienced labor and employment attorney."

Jon Michael Zimmerman headshot
Jon Zimmerman

Employment and labor lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Spencer is one of the best (if not the best) employment attorneys in the Seattle area. He is like a ninja, only faster and smarter. Employers respect him and some employers fear him because they know he will go to the mat for workers. Spencer will use legal jiu jitsu on employers, stunning them into submission and creating victory for Spencer’s smart, hard-working clients. Wise workers have Spencer in their corner."

James Varro Smith II headshot
James Smith

Employment and labor lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Spencer is a brilliant attorney. I endorse him."

Mark Richard Busto headshot
Mark Busto

Employment and labor lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with Spencer on Bar-related matters and cases. He is smart, committed and great fun to work with. I would trust him implicitly to represent me."

Dmitri L. Iglitzin headshot
Dmitri Iglitzin

Employment and labor lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Spencer and his work for almost 20 years. I can unreservedly recommend him for his professionalism, expertise, honesty and work ethic. Any worker who is in need of legal services would be well-advised to give Spencer a call."

Daniel A Swedlow headshot
Daniel Swedlow

Employment and labor lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Co-worker

"Avvo will only let me endorse Spencer Thal in one category which is unfortunate because in addition to being a fantastic labor and employment lawyer, he is also a highly capable personal injury attorney. Spencer has a razor sharp mind and consistently achieves outstanding results for his clients. I am proud to call Spencer a top notch lawyer, a partner and a friend."

View All Endorsements
David H Black JR headshot
David Black

Employment and labor lawyer

Mark Richard Busto headshot
Mark Busto

Unknown lawyer

Martin Garfinkel headshot
Martin Garfinkel

Class action lawyer

Daniel A Swedlow headshot
Daniel Swedlow

Employment and labor lawyer

Dmitri L. Iglitzin headshot
Dmitri Iglitzin

Employment and labor lawyer

James Varro Smith II headshot
James Smith

Employment and labor lawyer

Russell Louis Perisho headshot
Russell Perisho

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Appointment to Public Employment Relations Commission, Governor Jay Inslee

2001

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

1989

Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School

Work Experience

2016 - 2017

Senior Labor Relations Counsel, Air Line Pilots Association

2015 - 2017

Managing Attorney, Vanguard Law

2012 - 2015

Managing Partner, Swedlow Thal, PLLC

1996 - 2016

General Counsel, Teamsters Local Union No. 117

1993 - 1996

Attorney, Schwerin Campbell Barnard

1990 - 1993

Associate, Heller Ehrman

Associations

2018 - 2019

Public Employment Relations Commission

Commissioner

2005 - 2005

Washington State Bar Association

Chair, Labor and Employment Section

2003 - 2005

Washington State Bar Asssociation

Executive Committee, Labor and Employment Section

Sample of Legal Cases

Teamsters Local 117 v State of Washington

Victory

Race Discrimination

Significant Settlement

Employment Discrimination

Significant Settlement

Teamsters Local 117 v. Department of Corrections

Victory

Teamsters Local 117 v Port of Seattle

Victory

Teamsters Local 117 v. Golden State Foods

Victory

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Oxford University

MA - Masters

1990

Columbia University School of Law

J.D.

1986

Oxford University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

Washington Labor and Employment Relations Association Conference

Labor and Employment Law Meets Contract (CBA)

2017

Washington Labor and Employment Relations Association Conference

Advanced Contract Negotiations

2016

Washington Labor and Employment Relations Association Conference

Grievance, Gripe or Unfair Labor Practice

2015

Washington Labor and Employment Relations Association Conference

Advanced Collective Bargaining

2015

Teamsters Local 959 Steward Seminar

Contract Negotiations and Enforcement

2013

Washington Labor and Employment Relations Association Conference

Contract Negotiations: Layers of Players

2012

Training Academy

Union Representation

2011

American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Information Technology and Employee Rights

2010

LERA Conference

Negotiation Ethics

2009

Washington Labor and Employment Relations

Advanced Contract Interpretation

2009

Teamsters Leadership Academy

Advanced Arbitration

2008

Warehouse Division Conference

Bargaining and Costing Contracts

2007

LERA Conference

Hard Bargaining and Bad Faith

2006

Washington LERA

Negotiating Economics

Publications

1986

Oxford Journal of Legal Studies The Inequality of Bargaining Doctrine

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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