Elizabeth Hanley

Elizabeth Hanley is an experienced plaintiffs’ attorney and shareholder at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle, where her work continues the firm’s 55-year tradition of advocating for those who have been harmed.  

In her practice, Ms. Hanley represents individuals who have been wrongfully terminated or discriminated against; individuals who have suffered wrongful death or serious personal injury; employees who have been subjected to wage and hour violations individually or on a class-wide basis; and labor unions. 

In the courtroom, Hanley is known for her ability to connect with juries, often by distilling complex information in ways that develop trust and effectively conveys what’s at stake and why it matters. Her trial preparation regularly leads to favorable outcomes for her clients, including many cases she has tried to verdict in Washington’s federal and state courts.  

Beyond the courtroom, Hanley plays an active role in shaping the law itself. Her legislative work is a natural extension of her passion for advocacy which is rooted in her belief that justice shouldn't depend on outdated or unjust laws. 

She has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers each year since 2013. Additionally, she has been recognized by Washington Super Lawyers every year since 2017, as a Top 50 Woman Attorney by Washington Super Lawyers and by The Best Lawyers of America since 2021.  

She serves by appointment to the Washington Supreme Court to the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee. She is also presently the president of Washington State Association of Justice for the 2024-25 term. 

Hanley earned a BA at Gonzaga University, and during her undergraduate years studied British Literature at Trinity College, Oxford University. She earned a JD from University of San Diego School of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, she served as lead articles editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. She also represented taxpayers in disputes with the IRS at the University of San Diego School of Law Tax Clinic, and received honors in trial advocacy. 

Hanley grew up in Montana, where she developed a competitive spirit and determination as the oldest of five siblings. Outside of her legal practice, she enjoys the challenge of endurance sports and is often found training for a triathlon or climbing one of the Pacific Northwest region’s peaks. In fact, she has summited many iconic peaks in the Northwest, including Mt. Rainier in 2023.  

Hanley has two accomplished daughters who share her passion for advocacy and helping others.

• $5,800,000 settlement of wage and hour class action in Carlson v. Home Depot
• $3,260,000 jury verdict on disability discrimination claim
• $8,000,000 settlement of personal injury claims and wrongful death from auto crash
• $2,800,000 settlement for sex assault victim
• $2,300,000 settlement for disability discrimination claims by employee
  
• $1,750,000 settlement for race and gender discrimination claims by employee
• $670,000 settlement of personal injury claims from auto crash
• $680,000 in jury verdicts and judgments for wage and hour claims by two employees
• $1,750,000 settlement of wage and hour class action in Hudson v. Oatridge Sec. Grp., Inc., et al.
• $760,000 settlement of retaliation and failure to accommodate disability claims for employee
• $1,500,000 settlement of personal injury claims by pedestrian hit by auto
• $375,000 settlement of pregnancy discrimination claim
• $1,100,000 settlement of sexual harassment and retaliation claims by employee
• $1.95 million settlement of wage and hour class action in
  Rogers, et al. v. Recovery Centers of King County
• $1.75 million settlement of wage and hour class action,
  Tolliver, et al. v. Avvo
• $650,000 jury verdict for employee retaliated against for opposing national origin discrimination
• $660,000 in judgments/awards for employee who experienced disability discrimination
• $2.3 million settlement of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, settlement for healthcare provider reporting safety violations
• $700,000 settlement of employee’s age discrimination claim
• $330,000 settlement of claims by employee who was sexually harassed by her co-worker
• $750,000 settlement of wage and hour class action in
  Kariuki v. Pacific Bells, LLC, et al.
• $1 million settlement for client who was injured as a result of medical malpractice
• $500,000 settlement for employee who was sexually harassed by her co-worker

Education

• University of San Diego School of Law, J.D., 2006
• Gonzaga University, B.A., Honors Program 2002

Admissions

• Washington State
• United States Supreme Court 
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of appeals

• Washington Courts, Washington Pattern Instruction Committee (2018 to Present)
• Holy Names Academy, Development Committee (2018 to Present)
• Washington State Association for Justice, President (2024-2025)
• Washington State Association for Justice, Board of Governors (2017- Present)
• Justice for All PAC, Co-Treasurer (2017 - Present)
• Justice for All PAC, Board Member (2015- Present)
• Washington State Association for Justice, Legislative Steering Committee (2013 - Present)
• Lawyers Helping Hungry Children, Board (2006 - Present)
• Washington State Bar Association, Rules Committee (2014 - 2016)
• Washington State Association of Justice, Chair Employment Law Section (2014 - 2016)
• Washington State Bar Association, MCLE Task Force (2013 - 2015)

Professional Recognition

• Elizabeth Hanley was included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for Personal Injury Litigation.
• Selected to Washington Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers® (2017 - 2025)
• Named to the Irish Legal 100 (2024)
• Selected to Washington Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® (2010 & 2012, 2014 - 2016)

Publications

• “The Amendments to the Federal Rules of Discovery: The Effect on the Employment Case,” Trial News, Vol. 52-1
• “Evidentiary Issues,” Washington Employment Law Desk Book, published 2013
• “Ashcroft v. Iqbal’s Limited Application to Employment Discrimination Claims,” American Association for Justice Employment Rights Quarterly
• “Evidentiary Issues,” Washington Employment Law Desk Book, published 2017
• “Employment Law,” Washington Civil Rights Law Desk Book, published 2017

Speaking Engagements

• "Ethical Issues That Arise in Employment Cases," WSBA Ethics in Civil Litigation Seminar, Washington State Bar Association, 2019
• "When Cancer Comes to Work: Navigating Employment Law Issues," Cancer Pathways, 2019.
• "#MeToo Lawyering," Annual CLE, Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington 2018
• "When Cancer Comes to Work: Navigating Employment Law Issues," Cancer Pathways, 2018.
• "Protecting the Problem Plaintiff," Washington Employment Lawyers Association, Annual Conference, 2018.
• "Discovery Sanctions," WSAJ Pierce County RoundTable, 2018.
• "When Cancer Comes to Work: Navigating Employment Law Issues," Cancer Pathways, 2017
• Speaker and CLE Co-Chair, "Employment Law CLE – Tips, Tactics, Trends and Desk Book Update," 2017
• "Social Media Admissions in Litigation," WSAJ, 2017
• "When Cancer Comes to Work: Navigating Employment Law Issues," Cancer Pathways, 2016
• "Trial In Action: Voir Dire," WSAJ, 2016
• "What All Trial Lawyers Need to Know," Washington State Association for Justice, (“WSAJ”), 38th Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Employment Practices Insurance, 2016
• "Exempt or Non-Exempt: That is the Question," WSAJ, The Business of Practicing Law, 2015
• "Attorney Fee Awards Update Under Washington’s Wage Statute," WSAJ, 2015
• "Proving From Beginning to End: Anatomy of a Recent Victory," Washington Employment Lawyers Association (“WELA”), Annual Conference, 2015
• "Americans with Disabilities Act: 25th Anniversary," WSAJ, 2015
• Moderator, Judicial Panel, WELA Annual Seminar, 2014
• "Employment Law for Plaintiff’s Attorneys: WLAD and Title VII," WELA Annual Conference, 2013
• "Your Case Has Been Removed to Federal Court: Now What?" WSAJ Automobile Cases Seminar, 2011
• "Getting Out of Arbitration- What You Don’t Know: Thinking Outside the Box in Employment Law," 2011
• "Securing a Jury Trial: Defeating Arbitration Agreements," WELA, 2011
• "Legal Issues for Freelance Editors," Writers Guild, 2011
• "Spoliation of Evidence in the Employment Case," Luvera Seminar, WSAJ, 2011
• "Avoiding Dismissal After the Iqbal Case," WELA, 2010
• "Balancing the Practice of Law with Parenting," UW Law School, 2010
• "Getting Evidence Into the Computer & Beyond," WSAJ, 2009