Valerie A. Walker
Attorney | Seattle
Areas of Practice
Valerie represents clients in commercial and intellectual property disputes, as well as in employment matters.
Valerie has advocated on behalf of clients before federal and state courts, arbitrators, and administrative agencies. She has litigated claims related to breach of contract, unfair labor practices, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and unfair business practices. Her interest and success in varied practice areas are consistent with her exceptional research skills, which she leverages both in litigation and in negotiating positive outcomes for her clients.
Valerie's employment practice includes advising clients on federal and Washington employment law issues. Coming from a background in collective bargaining, Valerie's calm and creative approach to addressing employers’ and employees’ concerns helps her approach legal issues with an eye for practical solutions.
Prior to joining Stokes Lawrence, Valerie was a Law Clerk for the Honorable Robert S. Lasnik, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Before her service at the court, Valerie served as legal counsel to various school districts and cities in Washington. Additionally, she served as a law clerk for the Labor and Industries Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office. Over the course of her career, Valerie has represented a range of clients, including private businesses (small and large), nonprofit organizations, school districts, local governments, and individuals.
Admissions
- Washington, 2017
Education
-
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 2017
- Executive Online Editor, Washington Law Review
- Order of the Coif
-
Occidental College, B.A., Politics, 2013, summa cum laude
- Departmental Honors
Recognition & Honors
- CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in: Persuasive Writing, Constitutional Law: Freedom of Expression, Washington Constitutional Law, Family Law, Business Organizations, Administrative Law, Evidence, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law.
- Hazelton Fellow
Professional & Community Activities
- KCBA Records Project Volunteer (2023 to present)
- Pacific Coast Labor & Employment Law Conference, Planning Committee Member (2023 to present)
- Volunteer/Executive Committee Member, Minds Matter Seattle (2017 to 2021)
Publications & Presentations
- "Best Practices for Workplace Investigations,2023 Stokes Lawrence Employment Law Update, presenter, (November 2023)
- "Evolving Rights for Pregnant and Nursing Employees," author, StokesLaw Briefs (June 2023)
- "Pay Transparency Comes to Washington: Amendment to Equal Pay Opportunities Act RCW 49.58.110," presenter, 2022 Stokes Lawrence Employment Law Update (November 2022)
- "Are You Ready for Washington's Pay Transparency Law?," author, StokesLaw Briefs (October 2022)
- Note, The Dormant Commerce Clause “Effect”: How the Difficulty in Reconciling Exxon and Hunt Has Led to a Circuit Split for Challenges to Laws Affecting National Chains, 91 Wash. L. Rev. 1895 (2016)
Background & Interests
In her free time, Valerie enjoys playing with her dog, reading, singing, and playing piano.
