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

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... determined a case approach to maximize my claim, kept a clear grasp of complex facts, and crafted a demand letter that was both precise and highly persuasive, bringing my former employer to the table. From there, he negotiated an excellent result (let’s just say I won’t be playing poker with Spencer anytime soon). Although my case never went to court, I had complete confidence in his representation if it had. Highly recommended.

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...gically. Spencer took control and kept pressure on. During the mediation he was constantly amending the agreement like a living document, always ready to drop it and take advantage of the moment. Spencer was deliberate regarding his time/fees. You must go into a relationship with Spencer with some confidence, not hearing from him does not mean he's neglecting you, he's saving you money. He was always quick to reply when I needed and came to the table fully prepared. I would eagerly hire Spencer again (and will if I have anymore issues).

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 ...my calls quickly, explaining and ensuring that I knew what to expect next. During negotiations with the insurance company, his tenacity and extensive understanding of personal injury law were evident. Thanks to their skilled bargaining, I secured a settlement that beyond my expectations, covering my medical expenditures, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They meticulously handled all the paperwork and deadlines, allowing me to concentrate solely on my recovery. I never felt like just another case. I highly recommend him and his team.

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... addressed and that we felt supported throughout the process. One aspect that impressed us was his clear communication—he explained complex legal matters in a way that was easy for my family and me to understand. His ability to break down the jargon ensured we felt informed and confident every step of the way. It's rare to find someone who combines such deep knowledge of the law with a compassionate and approachable demeanor. Whether you're in need of legal advice or representation, I can't recommend Spencer highly enough.

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 ...employee representation, worker injuries, corrective action, and negotiations, providing balanced direction towards a reasonable resolution. I look forward to his continued guidance in the future.

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
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution