Overview

Douglas Smith focuses his practice on representing clients in complex class action litigation and offering advice on legal compliance with federal, state and local wage and hour requirements. He also assists employers in responding to agency audits and investigations by the U. S. Department of Labor, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, and the Washington State Employment Security Department. He has worked with many well-known national and regional employers, including retailers, gig economy businesses, food manufacturers, and others. He has also consulted on a variety of state and local legislative matters, and has testified before the Washington State Legislature on numerous employment-related bills, including proposed legislation on class action and wage and hour issues.

Douglas has served as chair of the Employment Law Committee of the Association for Washington Business, and as an employer representative on the Employment Law Advisory Committee to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. In addition, Douglas has authored several articles on wage and hour compliance and class action litigation.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Class Action and Derivative Suits Committee

American Bar Association

Advisor

Subcommittee on Revisions to Rule 23

American Bar Association

Chair

Employment Law Committee

Association of Washington Business

Member

Wage and Hour Task Force

Association of Washington Business

Member

Labor and Employment Law Section

Washington State Bar Association

Member

Labor and Employment Law Section

King County Bar Association

Member

Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington

Member

Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington

Program Graduate

Leadership Tomorrow

Recognition

Awarded, AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2013-2024

Named, Top Rated Litigator

ALM Media

2019, 2021-2023

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2023

Named, Top Rated Lawyer in Labor & Employment Law

ALM Media

2018

Named, Super Lawyer

Washington

Super Lawyers

2011-2013

Recipient, Heavy Lifter Award

Association of Washington Business

2006 and 2008

Recipient, Random Acts of Professionalism Award

2006

Recipient, Pro Bono Public Service Commendation

Washington State Bar Association

2003

Order of the Coif

News, Analysis & Press

House Labor and Employment Workforce Development Committee

Washington State Public Affairs TV Network

October 25, 2011

2008 Washington Legislative Update

Insight

May 13, 2008

Books & Book Chapters

  • Washington Employer, Regional Editor, 2011
  • Wage and Hour Answer Book, contributing author, 2010, 2011 and 2012
  • An Overview of Washington and Federal Wage and Hour Issues, co-editor, 2003
  • Wage and Hour Handbook: A Guide for Washington Employers, editor, 1999

Speaking Engagements

Seattle Breakfast Briefing

Seattle, WA

October 2, 2018

Bring Your “A” Game: Arbitration Agreements with Class Waivers

Seattle, WA

May 31, 2018

Accommodation, Accessibility & Independent Contractors

Seattle, WA

October 30, 2013

Conducting Lawful Investigations Workshop

Seattle, WA

September 12, 2013

Emerging Issues in Workplace Class Action Litigation

June 26, 2013

Wage & Hour Boot Camp

Seattle, WA

April 9, 2013

Wage & Hour Boot Camp

Seattle, WA

March 20, 2013

2012 Wage & Hour Boot Camp – A Guide to Combating Wage & Hour Liability

Seattle, WA

March 20, 2012

Wage and Hour Update

Labor & Employment Law Conference - The Seminar Group

2007, 2010-2011

Advanced HR Workshop: 10 Thorny Employment Law Challenges You Must Know How to Handle

October 6, 2011

Independent Contractors, Temporary Workers, Interns and Volunteers: Are They Your Employees?

Employment Law Seminar: What You Need to Know 2011- Association of Washington Business and Littler Mendelson

2011

Wage and Hour Law Basics and Update

Employment Law from A to Z - Lorman Education Services

2011

Wage and Hour Compliance in the Obama Era

Employer Breakfast Briefing Series - Littler Mendelson

2011

2010 Employment Law Update

March 18, 2010

Legislative Update for Washington Employers

Employer Breakfast Briefing Series - Littler Mendelson

2010

Wage and Hour Law Basics and Update

Labor & Employment Law Conference - The Seminar Group

2008-2009

Washington's Meal and Rest Break Regulation

September 23, 2009

The Washington Wage and Hour War

ELT, Inc. / Littler Mendelson Webinar

2009

Wage and Hour Law Basics and Recordkeeping Requirements

Annual Conference - Washington State Association of County Auditors

2008

Wage and Hour Law Basics and Recordkeeping Requirements

Lorman Education Services

2008

Wage and Hour Laws: The Risks of Non-Compliance

Kronos Employer Conference

2008

Conducting Wage and Hour Investigations

2008 Executive Employer Conference® - Littler Mendelson, Phoenix, AZ

2008

Douglas Smith presents at 10th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference

August 16, 2007

Employment Law From A to Z

Lorman Education Services

2007

Wage and Hour Update

Northwest Employer Conference - Littler Mendelson

2007

Wage and Hour Law Update

The Seminar Group

2005-2006

Defending Wage and Hour Class Actions

Third National Forum on Wage & Hour Claims and Class Actions

2006

Recent Developments in Washington Wage and Hour Law

National Business Institute

2005

Employment-Related Records

Lorman Education Services

2005

Washington Employment Law from A to Z

Lorman Education Services

2005

Employment Law Privacy and Security Issues

Northwest Association for Biomedical Research

2005

Washington Wage and Hour Law Update

National Business Institute

2004

Wage and Hour Record-Keeping

Lorman Education Services

2004

Wage and Hour Law Update

Association of Washington Business

2003

Wage and Hour Law Update

Washington State Bar Association

2002

Wage and Hour Law Update

Lorman Education Services

1999-2001

Wage and Hour Class Actions

Bar Association of San Francisco

2001

Personnel Law Update

Council on Education Management

1999

Wage and Hour Class Actions

California Employment Law Council

1997

Education

  • J.D., University of Oregon, 1987
  • B.A., Stanford University, 1982

Bar Admission

Washington

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • US District Court: Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington