Rachel M. Bowe
Attorney
bower@lanepowell.com
206.223.7024
Areas of Practice
Rachel Bowe dedicates her practice to employment litigation defense and counseling for employers
of all sizes. She has successfully litigated and resolved a broad array of workplace disputes, including
discrimination and retaliation, wrongful discharge, violation of wage and hour laws, and breach of
restrictive covenants. She has prevailed in state, federal and appellate court levels, and is experienced
in resolving disputes through administrative proceedings, mediation and arbitration. In addition
to her extensive litigation practice, Rachel partners with her clients to answer their day-to-day
employment questions, and helps them navigate complex federal and state labor and employment
laws, as well as maintain positive, productive and dispute-free workplaces.
Professional Experience
Jackson Lewis, PC, Attorney
Maslon, LLP, Attorney
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Judicial Extern to the Honorable Paul Magnuson
Admitted to Practice
Washington
Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Academics
Hamline University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2009)
Dean’s Scholar
Hamline Law Review, Primary Editor
Luther College (B.A., Political Science, cum laude, 2002)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Canada Practice
Diversity Committee
Labor and Employment
Title III ADA Public Accommodation
Representative Matters and Clients
Defended global telecommunications company in the settlement of high-level executive’s age discrimination, retaliation and promissory estoppel claims
Defended global hotel and resort company in the defeat of sales manager’s age discrimination claim
Won summary judgment against and defeated appeal brought by former employee who alleged ownership interest in and right to profits from former employer
Briefed, argued and won partial summary judgment of $500,000 claim in bankruptcy adversary proceeding
Obtained dismissal with prejudice for spoliation of evidence in dispute brought by employee against former employer for claims arising under federal and state electronic communications privacy laws
Publications
“Is the Washington Legislature Caching Out Noncompete Agreements? How This Change Might Affect Your Ability to Protect Your Business,” Lane Powell Legal Update (February 8, 2016)
“Employment Considerations for Startups: Hiring Your First Employees,” Puget Sound Business Journal The Startup Journey: Idea to Exit Special Insert (October 2, 2015)
“Complex Employee Benefits Rules Encroaching on Traditional Human Resource Territory,” Puget Sound Business Journal Best Practices for Best Employers™: How to Become a Best Workplace Starting Today Special Insert, Co-author (August 21, 2015)
“Transplant Strategically: Transitioning From One Legal Market to Another,” NWLawyer magazine, Washington State Bar Association (July/August 2015)
“2015 Washington Legislative Update,” PNW Employer (March 2015)
“Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act Signed Into Law,” Legal Update (May 13, 2014)
“Minnesota Expected to Pass Work Equity Bill Benefiting Women,” Legal Update (May 9, 2014)
“The Scope of Arbitration Clauses in Collective Bargaining Agreements and the Superficial Divide: Clarifying the Circuit Confusion,” Hamline Law Review, Volume 31 (2008)
Speaking Engagements
“Administrative Charges and Initial Findings,” National Business Institute Handling Employment Discrimination Claims Seminar (April 13, 2016)
“Making ‘Friends with Benefits’: What Your Benefits Lawyer Would Tell You If You Would Just
Return His Call, “Lane Powell’s 33rd Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Seattle, Co-presenter (September 15, 2015)
“Are You Ready for Seattle’s Minimum Wage?” Webinar (February 2015)
Awards and Honors
Recipient of the Child Advocacy Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, Minnesota Chapter (2013)
Recipient of the Labor Law Section Student Award, Minnesota State Bar Association (2009)
Professional and Community Activities
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
King County Housing Justice Project, Volunteer
Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference, Special Topics Subcommittee
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Society for Human Resource Management, Lake Washington Chapter
Washington Women Business Owners
Washington Women Lawyers
Board Member (2015-Present)
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Washington Chapter
Minnesota Chapter
Board Member (2013-2014)
Minnesota State Bar Association
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