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Michael Bradley Love
also known as Michael Love, Mike Love
About Michael
Biography
I have been an attorney for over 30 years. I started my career as a deputy prosecutor for the City of Spokane in 1991. As a deputy prosecutor I had the opportunity to try over 25 bench and jury trials to a verdict with most of them being successful prosecutions on behalf of the people of the City of Spokane.
My practice is devoted to the area of labor and employment law, business, contract and tort law, with advice work and consultation in those areas, as well as litigation and appellate work in those specific areas of law.
I am a trial lawyer by nature and calling. I have represented clients at summary judgment, administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, unemployment compensation hearings and before the Merit Systems Protection Board. I have also tried jury and bench trials in the United States District Court for both the Western and Eastern Districts. I have also tried jury and bench trials in Spokane County Superior Court and Pend Oreille County Superior Court state of Washington.
I also have substantial appellate experience. I have appeared before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Washington Court of Appeals (Division III), and the Washington Supreme Court on numerous occasions. Most recently, I successfully argued before the Washington Supreme Court on behalf of Gonzaga University in an alleged whistleblower and wrongful discharge case resulting in a unanimous 9-0 decision and clarification of the law. Martin v. Gonzaga University, 191 Wash. 2d 712, 725 (2018)
For over 28 years I have provided representation both advice and litigation to numerous large, medium size and small businesses through out the state of Washington in the area of labor and employment law, business, contract and tort law. I also have extensive experience in representing public sector employers and employees. The specific industries that I have represented employers and employees include, but are not limited to, the following: architectural, healthcare, finance and wealth management, trucking, autombile, retail, mining, fire services, law enforcement, timber, engineering, banking, construction, restaurant, employment for disabled and government.
I have also represented employers, employees and individuals relating to employment law matters, including Veterans involving claims of discrimination and retaliation under The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and employers, employees, and individuals in the area of discrimination and retaliation under Washington's Law Against Discrimination and federal law relating to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 1981, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRB).
For over 28 years I have dealt with a variety of legal issues, including, but not limited to, providing advice, consultation, litigation and appellate work relating to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington's Law Against Discrimination, Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination and Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Washington's Minimum Wage Act, Family Medical Leave Act, National Labor Relations Act, WARN Act, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Non-Competition Agreements, contract and tort law and other areas encompassing both federal and state law.
I have also successfully resolved and achieved favorable settlement results on behalf of my clients either through direct negotiation or mediation.
I have also been retained as an independent investigator by employers, law firms and human resource consultants to perform investigations relating to allegations of workplace misconduct and potential violations of the employment laws.
I have also provided continuing legal education to lawyers for over 28 years in the area of labor and employment law and contract law.
I have also taught at the undergraduate level for Gonzaga University as an adjunct professor in the areas of preparing students to take the Law School Admissions Test and introducing students to the law of employment discrimination. I have also provided mentoring to both undergraduate and law students as they prepare for a career in the legal field.
I have been happily married for over 23 years to my lovely wife Dana. We have 4 children who are very successful in their own right.
Please feel free to contact me if you are in need of the legal services I can provide.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Litigation
70%
33 years | 500 cases
Employment and Labor
20%
33 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 34 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Riverside NW Law Group
905 W. Riverside Ave, STE 208, Spokane, WA, 99201
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Michael Bradley Love's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
13 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (13)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews
Posted by anonymous | September 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Wrongful Termination
Awesome!
I hired Mike to represent me in my appeal when my employer was trying to terminate me. I thought it would be impossible to win the appeal, because the employer would not give us even the documentation needed to prove our case…but Mike won the appeal! They fired me anyway, but Mike got me a substant...
Posted by Demarco | August 10, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Mister Michael Love
Hired Mister love for an employment discrimination case. He is very knowledgeable and honest. He is very systemic and I appreciated that. I would definitely hire Mister Love again as my lawyer and would recommend him. He is an excellent lawyer.
Posted by Michael | July 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Five Star Recommendation
I had an employment case that I hired Michael Love to represent me in. I searched to find who was the best employment attorney in Eastern Washington. I didn't use the Internet to locate representation, I asked multiple Law firm Office Managers who they would recommend. Michael Love's name kept coming...
Posted by Rebecca | February 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Disability discrimination
I was fired by my federal employer shortly after telling them I had a disability. A government investigator declared that my claim had no merit, but Mr. Love was one of three attorneys who believed otherwise (the other two being Matthew and Ryan). They determined that I had a valid disability discrim...
Posted by Kammi Mencke Smith | November 21, 2016 | Employment & Labor
Well qualified and experienced
Michael Love is a well qualified and experienced employment attorney who thoroughly analyzes and case and provides sound advice to his clients.
Michael Bradley Love's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mike is very seasoned, very capable trial attorney. Mike and I have been on the same side in cases, and we have also been on opposing sides in cases. In both instances, Mike proved to be an ethical, fair and tenacious advocate for his client. If you want a fighter, and someone that is not afraid to take a case to trial, hire Mike."
"Mike is always professional and considerate to all parties. He is very knowledgeable in the area of employment law and has great trial skills. I endorse this attorney."
"I have referred several clients to Mike to represent them in employment and labor law matters and I am continually impressed by his knowledge, ethical standards and ability to effectively communicate with and inform clients about complex employment issues. I highly endorse Mike."
"Mike has a fine analytical mind and is a good communicator."
"Mike is a competent and professional lawyer. His depth of knowledge knowledge in the fields of employment and labor law is impressive. I highly endorse Mike's work."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Michael is excellent lawyer and very qualified in the employment/labor practice area."
"I endorse this lawyer. We worked together on the defense of a case. Mike is very knowledgeable on employment law issues, and has great rapport with his clients."
"When I requested a solution to a complex employment case, Michael Love provided a state supreme court case that was on point. He quickly responded to my inquiry with great accuracy, which is the reason I am endorsing Mr. Love."
"I endorse Mike. I know him to be diligent and knowledgeable."
"Mike is an accomplished and knowledgeable trial lawyer,especially in the area of employment law."
"Mike is a tremendously skilled, hard-working and devoted advocate for his clients. He combines a superb knowledge of the law with a common sense approach to achieve exceptional results for his clients. It is a pleasure to endorse this lawyer."
"Mike is an excellent lawyer. He is thoughtful, persuasive, well versed in labor and employment law and committed to his clients."
"I have known Mike Love for over 20 years, and have worked with and against him in legal disputes, including litigation. He is knowledgeable and capable in the field of labor and employment law. I endorse him and his legal skills without hesitation."
"Michael is a fantastic lawyer and a terrific advocate for his clients."
"Mike is a talented litigator, and he provides excellent service to his clients in the areas of labor and employment. I strongly endorse him."
"I am endorsing Mike because of his knowledge and experience in handling labor and employment matters. From counseling clients to litigating a matter, Mike takes a practical approach to meeting his client's objectives."
"Mike Love is an excellent litigation lawyer. He has argued and tried many, many matters. His legal knowledge of the employment law is excellent. I have seen him prevail in front of several local Spokane area judges. He had good judgment and character. I highly endorse Michael Love for any litigation or employment litigation matter."
"I respect this lawyer. I have worked both with and had to oppose Mike Love in employment law matters. He is consummate professional as a colleague and as the opposition. My first-hand experience is that he performs excellently at trial, he is very resilient under pressure, and sharp in response to the unexpected and unfavorable circumstances. This is a testament to his focus and preparation in that case. An unprepared lawyer does not have the faculties to overcome those obstacles in real time. I look forward to working with Mike again."
"I have known Mike for the past seven years and have worked with Mike litigating various state and federal employment discrimination cases, including the ADA, WLAD, and USERRA. During that time, Mike and I tried an employment discrimination jury trial in federal district court. Mike's leadership during the trial, voir dire, and cross examination of key adverse witnesses was second-to-none. In fact, Mike's cross examination of the defense's strongest witness was devastating. I would recommend Mike for any employment related case, plaintiff or defense."
Heather Barden
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Susan Troppmann
Employment and labor lawyer
Peter Witherspoon
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Kammi Smith
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Matthew Crotty
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April Anderson
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James McPhee
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Experience
Honors
2019
AV Preeminent in Labor and Employment Law and Litigation, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
AV Preeminent in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
AV Preeminent Rated in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards 2016, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Best Lawyers in Spokane, Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
2019
Representing Individuals in Employment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2019
Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2014
Client Choice Award Badge, AVVO
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Attorney, Michael Love Law PLLC
2010 - Present
Partner, Workland & Witherspoon, PLLC
2001 - 2010
Partner, Paine Hamblen, LLP
2001 - 2010
Vice Chair - Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, Paine Hamblen, LLP
1993 - 2010
Attorney, Paine Hamblen, LLP
1993 - 1993
Attorney, Layman, Loft Arpin & White
1991 - 1993
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, City of Spokane
Associations
1994 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
Spokane County Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
U.S. District CourtMember
1991 - Present
U.S. District Court of Eastern WashingtonMember
2014 - 2014
Spokane County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation PanelMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Waite v. Gonzaga University
Defense verdict in favor Gonzaga University
Martin v. Gonzaga University
Summary Judgment Granted to Gonzaga University, affirmed by the Court of Appeals Division III and the Washington Supreme Court
Zhu v. ESD 171
Verdict for Plaintiff on both claims
Hanson v. Kitsap County
Verdict in favor of Plaintiff on USERRA and WLAD discrimination and retaliation claims.
Crume v. Bi-Mart Corporation
Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment on 5 of 6 employment and common law claims and successfully resolved the other claim in a settlement favorable to client
Worley v. Providence Physician Services Company
Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment
Chaney v. Providence Health Care
Jury Verdict for Client on Wrongful Discharge Claim. Successful resolution of FMLA claim. Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment on all other claims.
Washington State Nurses Association v. NLRB
Remanded back to ALJ to reinstate decision and award.
Thompson v. Holy Family Hospital
Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment in Americans with Disabilities Act case
Terri Francisco-Farrell v. Local 112 IBEW et al.
Jury Verdict for Plaintiff Affirmed on Appeal by Ninth Circuit
Education
1990
Willamette University
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
Gonzaga University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Bi-Mart Corporation Managers Meeting
What Employees Can Do and What Employers Can't Do
2014
Bi-Mart - Pharmacy Managers
What Employees Can Do and What Employers Can't Do
2013
SVZ-USA
Winning Solutions to Employment Law Problems
2013
Employment Law Seminar
Appropriate Drafting of Non-Competition Agreements
2009
Spokane County Bar Association
Investigating Workplace Issues
2009
Skils-Kin Board of Directors and Executives Retreat
Winning Solutions to Employment Law Problems
2006
Lorman Education Services
Employment Record Keeping Requirements and Effective Documentation in Washington
1995
Labor Law Conference
How to Prevent Union Organizational Attempts
Publications
2006
Lorman Education Services publication
Employment Recordkeeping Requirements and Effective Documentation in Washington
2006
Lorman Education Services
Employment Recordkeeping Requirements and Effective Documentation in Washington
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I recently won an employment arbitration after I was terminated. My employer is now refusing to honor the terms of arbitration.
09 Oct 2014
Q&A
Will my current employer sue me?
09 Oct 2014