The Americans with Disabilities Act, Washington Law Against Discrimination, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act have significantly changed the landscape of employer obligations to employees who cannot work due to injuries or illnesses.  I have extensive experience guiding clients through this Bermuda Triangle of laws and defending employers against legal challenges to disability management decisions before courts and administrative agencies.  I offer clients practical solutions to the difficult legal and operational problems involved in managing employee absences and requests for accommodations. 

I work closely with my clients to: 

• Learn their business and the impact an accommodation might have on them;
• Develop workplace safety programs;
• Draft policies concerning leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation and related issues; and
• Guide managers in responding to requests for leave and accommodations, while preserving management and employee rights.

As employers evaluate leave, accommodation, and return to work requests, I provide guidance at every step, from communicating with employees and their health care providers to determining the appropriate response to the specific situation at hand.