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$0 first 20 minutes
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From your first contact, you will reach me personally--not an associate, paralegal or legal assistant. You will have direct access throughout the representation relationship because I am committed to ensuring that you receive prompt, clear, and effective representation.
11
Practice Areas
34 years | 75 cases
34 years | 200 cases
34 years | 250 cases
34 years | 100 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 20 minutes
25%-40%
Sometimes
State: Washington
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
State: Oregon
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Spencer online.
139 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Jacob | May 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Spencer Tahl Review
Spencer is very helpful in helping a client see the correct path to resolving any legal issue someone may have. He and his staff are effective communicators that help you understand the process you’re about to move through. Would recommend Spencer and have recommended Spencer to many friends who ne...
Posted by Meaza Ogbe | April 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Car accident
Spencer Thal and the team at Vanguard Law provided me with exceptional representation. They treated me and my 3 month old son with genuine compassion and respect from our first encounter, taking the time to hear every aspect of my accident and injuries. They kept me informed at all times, responding ...
Posted by anonymous | January 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Excellent, responsive and dilligent
Spencer promptly resolved my matter by laying out options and being very direct. He was extremely efficient with his communications both with myself and the opposing party. He is extremely responsive and also very clear and transparent about his billing and (very reasonable) fees. Spencer’s deep lev...
Posted by Michael | August 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
President/Executive Director of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees
The team at Council 2 was fortunate to have Spencer leading our legal department for several months. We contracted with Spencer after our previous counsel left unexpectedly. Spencer filled the gap with exceptional skill and professionalism during this transitional period. His support for me in my rol...
Posted by Tracy | June 19, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
The best call I made…
Spencer helped me through a very stressful employment issue. He was very attentive, responsive, and gave me excellent advice on how to navigate moving forward. I am so grateful to him for patiently listening, remaining objective and providing direct and honest answers. His knowledge of PERC law wa...
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Spencer is an excellent, creative and highly experienced labor and employment attorney."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Employment and labor lawyer
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Class action lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
2018
Appointment to Public Employment Relations Commission, Governor Jay Inslee
2001
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
1989
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School
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
2018 - 2019
Public Employment Relations CommissionCommissioner
2005 - 2005
Washington State Bar AssociationChair, Labor and Employment Section
2003 - 2005
Washington State Bar AsssociationExecutive Committee, Labor and Employment Section
Victory
Significant Settlement
Significant Settlement
Victory
Victory
Victory
1994
MA - Masters
1990
J.D.
1986
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2018
Labor and Employment Law Meets Contract (CBA)
2017
Advanced Contract Negotiations
2016
Grievance, Gripe or Unfair Labor Practice
2015
Advanced Collective Bargaining
2015
Contract Negotiations and Enforcement
2013
Contract Negotiations: Layers of Players
2012
Union Representation
2011
Information Technology and Employee Rights
2010
Negotiation Ethics
2009
Advanced Contract Interpretation
2009
Advanced Arbitration
2008
Bargaining and Costing Contracts
2007
Hard Bargaining and Bad Faith
2006
Negotiating Economics
1986
English
Legal Answers
Can I report/sue an employer that fired me after filing a sexual harrassment claim against my manager?
06 Jan 2021
Is it illegal if my employer doesn’t let me take a lunch break and doesn’t pay me for it?
04 Jan 2021
Do I have a case?
21 Dec 2020