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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 53 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | October 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Wrongful Termination
Wrongful Termination - Excellent Result
Spencer Thal handled my wrongful termination / discrimination case not just professionally but masterfully. He smoothly negotiated a settlement that exceeded my expectations, working under an hourly fee model that ultimately cost less than half of what a contingency arrangement would have. Spencer...
Posted by Bryan | August 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Prepared and trustworthy
It was very reassuring to work with an attorney that knows public sector and union's laws and dynamics. I quickly learned during the settlement mediation to reserve my interjections. Spencer didn't have to be reminded what my concerns were, he was already setting it up and delivering, though strate...
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 Anarudh | March 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Trusted Friend and Exceptional Attorney
My family has had the pleasure of knowing Spencer Thal for over two decades, both as a friend and a legal professional. When we needed assistance with a vehicle accident case, his expertise, dedication, and professionalism truly stood out. Spencer was incredibly thorough, ensuring every detail was...
Posted by Kevin | February 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Collective Bargaining
Spencer has been a pivotal piece of our collective bargaining team for multiple years. His knowledge regarding worker rights and collective bargaining agreements has been pivotal in our ability to negotiate better wages, hours, and working conditions for our work groups. Spencer has assisted us with ...
"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