VERA P. FOMINA

Partner

Ph:   206.495.8585

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SUMMARY

Vera P. Fomina focuses her practice on various employment matters, including disputes related to discrimination based on gender, pregnancy, family responsibilities, race, religion, and disability; harassment; wrongful discharge; retaliation; wages and executive compensation; and employment contracts. Vera is experienced in counseling employers on employment issues, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, USERRA, Washington Minimum Wage Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Vera successfully assisted numerous business owners with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and compensation structures, as well as with comprehensive Human Resources management training to executive, management, and Human Resources professionals. Vera also represented employers in federal and state court litigation, and before governmental agencies, such as the EEOC and DOL. In 2014, Vera was one of the Board Members and served as a Legislative Representative of the Hill Country Human Resources Management Association and was named One of The Best of 2014 Employment Lawyers by the Scene in San Antonio magazine.



PRACTICE AREAS

  • Employment Law
  • Litigation



BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Washington
  • Texas (Inactive)



COURT ADMISSIONS

  • U.S District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas



EDUCATION

  • J.D., St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio, TX
  • B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX



PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Washington State Bar Association (Employment Law Section)
  • King County Bar Association (Employment Law Section)
  • Texas State Bar Association
  • Washington Employment Law Association
  • Society for Human Resources Management
  • Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce



LANGUAGES

  • Russian
  • Swedish
  • German



REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Obtained $1.5 million jury verdict against national health care company for retaliation and wrongful termination.
  • Received $180,000 settlement on a sexual harassment and gender discrimination claim.
  • Successfully defended and resolved sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims against a local franchise restaurant.
  • Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of an independent insurance broker against an insurance company for breach of contract.
  • Successfully defended against a motion to dismiss based on lack of jurisdiction in a case of first impression nationwide.
  • Successfully litigated and obtained a $250,000 settlement in a reverse race discrimination case.​
  • Settled multiple claims for employees claiming discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.



AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Best Lawyer in San Antonio, Scene in SA, 2014
  • Lawyer of Distinction, 2018



PRESENTATIONS

  • “I Hired an Independent Contractor! Or How to Avoid Liability,” Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Brown Bag Lunch Series (April 21, 2016)
  • “Analyzing Key Employment Documents and Examination of Witnesses,” NBI CLE Presentation (April 13, 2016)
  • “Congratulations, You’re Hired/Fired! … and Lessons Learned Along the Way,” Comprehensive Risk Management Webinar (October 23, 2015)



COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Pacific Coast Labor Employment Law Conference 2018
    • Member Planning Committee



WHAT CLIENTS SAY

Just Wonderful! Vera Fomina is the most competent attorney I have had the pleasure to work with. My profession has historically required a close partnership with legal professionals and Vera by far demonstrates greater knowledge of the law, professionalism, and knows how to get to the point. I have been delighted with the outcome of this recent legal action and could not have worked with more competent and knowledgeable counsel to drive my legal matter to closure. Vera's knowledge of the law, her coaching, and counsel drove the best possible outcome.

GMM III - Employment Client - 2018