Attorney
Rochelle is a member of CH&’s litigation practice group, whose experience lies at the intersection of construction and employment litigation, with an emphasis on representing design professionals in construction-related conflicts, as well as employers in litigation ranging from single-party disputes to complex wage and hour class actions.
As the head of CH&’s employment group, Rochelle partners with clients to develop and implement sound workplace policies and HR practices aimed at mitigating risk and preventing disputes. She regularly counsels clients on wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, leave laws, non-competition and restrictive covenant issues, and other evolving employment law requirements. When litigation arises, Rochelle has a proven track record of resolving employee claims through negotiation, and when necessary, securing complete defense verdicts at trial.
Rochelle’s broader commercial litigation work encompasses all phases of litigation, including complex contractual analysis, engaging in discovery, depositions and trial. She works closely with design professional firms to review their services contracts and evaluate risk. Her background in finance and accounting allows Rochelle to recognize operational and project-based challenges, allowing her to deliver practical, business-focused advice that empowers clients to make informed strategic decisions.
As trusted counsel, Rochelle also speaks on a range of employment and construction litigation topics. Her commitment to fair and effective workplace practices has led to volunteer with various community groups and provide pro bono employment and anti-harassment trainings for business and trade organizations.
Introduction
Rochelle is a member of CH&’s litigation practice group, whose experience lies at the intersection of construction and employment litigation, with an emphasis on representing design professionals in construction-related conflicts, as well as employers in litigation ranging from single-party disputes to complex wage and hour class actions.
As the head of CH&’s employment group, Rochelle partners with clients to develop and implement sound workplace policies and HR practices aimed at mitigating risk and preventing disputes. She regularly counsels clients on wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, leave laws, non-competition and restrictive covenant issues, and other evolving employment law requirements. When litigation arises, Rochelle has a proven track record of resolving employee claims through negotiation, and when necessary, securing complete defense verdicts at trial.
Rochelle’s broader commercial litigation work encompasses all phases of litigation, including complex contractual analysis, engaging in discovery, depositions and trial. She works closely with design professional firms to review their services contracts and evaluate risk. Her background in finance and accounting allows Rochelle to recognize operational and project-based challenges, allowing her to deliver practical, business-focused advice that empowers clients to make informed strategic decisions.
As trusted counsel, Rochelle also speaks on a range of employment and construction litigation topics. Her commitment to fair and effective workplace practices has led to volunteer with various community groups and provide pro bono employment and anti-harassment trainings for business and trade organizations.
Education
- California Polytechnic State University (B.S., Finance, cum laude, 2010)
- Seattle University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2014)
Admissions
- Washington
- Alaska
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
- US District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- US District Court for the District of Alaska
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Honors & Recognition
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® on the Ones to Watch List in Commercial Litigation since 2022
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® on the Ones to Watch List in Litigation – Construction since 2022
- Named on the Washington Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers® Magazine
Professional & Community Involvement
- Federal Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee
- Washington State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- King County Bar Association, 55th Annual Pacific Coast Labor & Employment Law Conference Planning Committee
- The William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court
Publications/Speaking Engagements
- Co-Presenter, “Business Effects of Shifting Cannabis Rules & Regulations,” Geoprofessional Business Association 2021 Fall Conference (October 2021)
- Panelist, “How to Protect Your Firm from COVID-Related Legal Claims,” ACEC Washington Webinar (August 27, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, “Navigating the Landscape of FMLA,” Blooming With the Boomers Conference for the Washington Home Care Association (May 2019)
- Presenter, “Advising Cannabis Employers,” 6th Annual Northwest Marijuana Law Conference (November 2018)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, The Supremes Sing Yet Another Arbitration Love Song” (June 2018)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, 75 Years After Passage Legislature Strengthens Equal Pay Law” (June 2018)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, Legislatures are Making Salary History Inquiries a Thing of the Past” (June 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Navigating Employee Leave Laws in Washington,” 12th Annual Spring Conference for the Home Care Association of Washington (May 2018)
- Presenter, “Paid Sick Leave, the Opioid Epidemic, and #MeToo: Navigating the Difficult Waters of Modern Employment Law,” Annual Spring Conference for the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts (April 2018)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, In Pre-Holiday Decision Washington Supreme Court Tells Employers ‘You Better Watch Out. . .'” (December 2017)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, January 1st is Coming: Are you Prepared for State-Wide Mandatory Paid Sick & Safe Leave?” (December 2017)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, Paid Sick & Safe Leave Comparison Chart” (December 2017)
- Co-Author, “Are You Prepared for State-Wide Mandatory Paid Sick & Safe Leave?” (December 2017)
- Presenter, “Working in Cannabis,” 5th Annual Northwest Marijuana Law Conference (November 2017)
- Presenter, “Anti-Harassment & Workplace Conduct Workshop” (September 2017)
- Co-Author, “Economic Loss Doctrine and Design Professionals: Recent Trends and Developments” (September 2001, updated: May 2017)
- Co-Author, “To Comply or Not to Comply? How the DOL’s Overtime Rule, and the Court’s Decision to Suspend the Rule, May Affect Your Restaurant” (January 2017)
- Presenter, Restaurant & Hospitality Industry Employment Law Breakfast Briefing (November 2016)
- Presenter, 4th Annual NW Marijuana Conference (November 2016)
- Co-Author, “The Culture Shift of Abandoning Tips” (October 2016)
- Presenter, “Fair Labor Standards Act” Master Class (October 2016)
- Author, “Federal Appeal Court Refuses to Reinstate Tip-Pooling Policies” (September 2016)
- Interviewee, “U.S. SC Should be Tempted to Review the DOL’s Tip-Pooling Rule” (September 2016)
- Co-Author, “Three Handbook Policies to Rethink Immediately” (September 2016)
- Co-Author, “Seattle City Council Passes Secure Scheduling Law” (September 2016)
- Co-Author, “Unpredictability of Seattle’s Proposed Predictable Scheduling Law” (September 2016)
- Co-Author, “On the Sideboard: Tip Deductions, Side Work, and Meal Credits” (August 2016)
- Presenter, Fisher Phillips Annual Employment Law Seminar (July 2016)
- Co-Author, “Ninth Circuit Tips Against Tip-Pooling Policies” (March 2016)
- Co-Author, “East Meets West: Spokane Joins Western Washington Cities by Adopting Paid Sick Leave Law” (January 2016)
- Co-Author, “Seattle Adds Serious Teeth to Sick and Safe Leave Law” (December 2015)
- Author, “SCOTUS Channels the FAA to Uphold DirecTV’s Arbitration Clause” (December 2015)
- Legal Alert, “SB on HR, Employee Awarded Unemployment Benefits Due In Part to Employer’s Lack of Policies; Federal Budget Deal Includes Potential 80% Increase in OSHA Fine Amounts; Follow-Up Sick Leave Laws” (November 2015)
- Co-Author, “Tacoma’s New Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: What Employers Need to Know” (October 2015)
- Legal Alert, “Follow-Up Sick Leave Laws and NLRB” (July 2013)
- Legal Alert, “Fight Over Sick Leave Laws Reaches Fevered Pitch” (June 2013)
- Legal Alert, “Party Battle Over NLRB Continues” (April 2013)