Quick Facts — Employment Contract Lawyers (Washington)

What is a Washington Employment Contract?

A Washington employment contract is a legally binding document that is executed by an employer and an employee. Employment contracts describe the specific rights and expectations of both parties throughout the employment relationship. Employment contracts are usually used when hiring high level permanent employees, but can also be used when hiring temporary employees, contractors, and consultants.

Washington, like most states, is an “at-will” employment state. This means that outside of a few exceptions, an employer and an employee can end the working relationship at any time for any reason without notice. Employees who work “at will” are at a disadvantage because they can lose their job at any time.

Once an employee signs an employment contract, they are no longer an “at will” employee. The Employment contract overrides “at will” laws and provides certain protection for the worker.

It is common for employment contracts to have clauses that describe the company’s disciplinary procedures and reasons why an employee may be terminated. Once a contract is executed, the employer is bound to terms of the contract and will need a valid reason to terminate the employee.

Are Employment Contracts Enforceable in Washington?

Yes. Certain employment contracts are enforceable in Washington. Employment contracts that cover the basic working relationship will governed by state contract laws. These agreements cover issues like:

  • Job duties
  • Job duration
  • Salary
  • Benefits
  • Time off and vacation
  • Company policy
  • Disciplinary procedures
  • Reasons for termination

Another type of employment contract is a restrictive contract called a non-compete agreement. These types of contracts are governed by separate laws and are not always enforceable in Washington.

In 2020, Washington revised their non-compete laws and added more restrictions to these agreements. Some new restrictions include:

  1. Non-competes for employees making less than $100,000 will not be enforced
  2. Non-compete agreements are valid for only 18 months after the employee leaves the company
  3. Non-compete agreements must be agreed upon before the employee accepts the job offer

These new laws are retroactive and will apply to all non-compete agreements signed in Washington, even if the agreement was signed before 2020.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Washington Employment Contracts?

The legal requirements for Washington employment contracts are governed by Washington State labor regulations. It is best practice for employment contracts to be written and signed, but oral contracts for employment that can be completed within one year is also enforceable.

Employment contracts cannot violate any laws or public policies or force employees to give up rights granted by the law. For example, in Washington, the minimum wage is set by law. An employment contract cannot require an employee to work for less than the state minimum wage.

Types of Washington Employment Contracts

There are several types of employment contracts used in Washington. The type of contract will vary based on the job and the type of employee being hired to complete the work.

Common types of employment contracts include:

  • Permanent employment. This contract is used when hiring permanent employees. This contract will turn an “at will” employee into a “contract employee”.
  • Non-disclosure agreement (NDA). A restrictive employment contract that prohibits employees from sharing confidential company information. This is often used to protect trade secrets or customer lists.
  • Non-compete agreement. A restrictive clause that limits an employee’s ability to work for a competitor of the company before and after employment.
  • Non-solicitation agreement. Prevents employees from soliciting customers or other employees after employment.
  • Independent contractor employment. Sometimes, workers that companies hire are not considered company employees but instead an independent contractor. Independent contractors are subject to different laws and rights than regular employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in Washington?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in Washington?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to review an employment contract in Washington?

See Employment Contract by State

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North Carolina Employment Contract Review Review
  • North Carolina
  • 3 lawyer bids
  • $450 - $1,000
View Details
New Jersey Employment Contract Review and Suggestions for Improvement Review
  • New Jersey
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $375 - $850
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Maryland Existing Employee asked to sign NDA, IP assignment and non-disparagement agreement Review
  • Maryland
  • 2 lawyer bids
  • $1 - $350
View Details
Tennessee Review employee agreement Review
  • Tennessee
  • 9 lawyer bids
  • $350 - $750
View Details
Illinois Employment contract review and negotiation Drafting
  • Illinois
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $600 - $750
View Details
Illinois Employment Contract Review
  • Illinois
  • 8 lawyer bids
  • $240 - $695
View Details

See all Employment Contract projects in Washington


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


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Cherie M. on ContractsCounsel
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Cherie M.

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Free Consultation
Shawnee, KS
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA KS, VA
Regent University School of Law

Dedicated attorney with contract experience in Washington, Virginia, and Kansas.

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Elizabeth J. on ContractsCounsel
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Elizabeth J.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Manson, WA
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA
Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Libby Jamison founded E. Grace Law Firm after nearly two decades practicing law across federal agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. She has advised at the highest levels of government and built a career defined by tackling complex, high-stakes legal and policy challenges. Her practice focuses on business, employment, veteran, and family law matters, drawing on her wide scope of experience including nearly seven years as counsel at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her legal experience spans federal agency counsel, firm ownership, and nonprofit work. She is licensed to practice in California and Washington and was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Beyond legal practice, she has led as a nonprofit president, chaired a U.S. Chamber of Commerce economic empowerment zone, and served on an American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel. Her work has been recognized by: Mighty 25 Awardee (2023) Changemaker of the Year, Military.com (2019) Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Scholar (2019)

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Tyler J. on ContractsCounsel
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April 22, 2025

Tyler J.

General Counsel
Free Consultation
Vancouver, WA & Irvine, CA
5 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA
Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

I am an attorney licensed in California and Washington State with 4 years of experience. I spent three (3) years at a national law firm in the litigation practice section in the Los Angeles and Orange County offices. My experience also includes my current position of general counsel for a credit card processing company in Washington. I have been in this role for just over one (1) year. My expertise includes commercial litigation, securities litigation, FINRA arbitration, employment law, and general corporate law matters.

Cory B. on ContractsCounsel
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Cory B.

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Free Consultation
Seattle, WA
11 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA FL, NJ
Barry University School of Law

Over 10 years as a practicing attorney. Experience in both transactional and litigation matters, with a strong focus on commercial and residential real estate, contract law, business law, estate planning, and probate. Proven success in managing complex legal matters such as title disputes, real estate transactions, business and property acquisitions and sales, due diligence, property management, commercial leasing, evictions, probate disputes, and estate planning. Known for exceptional written and verbal communication, sound judgment, and the ability to guide clients through intricate and high-pressure situations. Ability to analyze and resolve issues efficiently and effectively with a strong focus on client relations and efficient resolution of legal matters.

Katherine B. on ContractsCounsel
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Katherine B.

Principal Attorney & Founder, Phoenix Law PLLC
Free Consultation
Greater Seattle Area, WA
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
Gonzaga University School of Law

Attorney and former in-house counsel with 15+ years of leadership and project management experience in corporate & business law, risk management, compliance, strategy, and regulatory oversight in the private and federal sectors. Primary areas of practice are corporate governance & business law, compliance & financial services regulation, transformation & change management, regulatory response & remediations, consumer regulation & employment law, and conduct / ethics & investigations at regional, large and complex corporations. My experience includes banking, payment & ecommerce regulations, trade & product law, consumer regulations, employment & labor law, contracts and privacy laws. I have extensive experience advising firms on consumer protection and regulatory law, and I have specialized experience with firms engaging in large-scale transformations and remediations. I am admitted to the Washington State Bar Association and licensed to practice law, I am a Federal Reserve System commissioned Examiner, and I am a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM). At Phoenix Law PLLC, I advise individual clients and provide legal and regulatory guidance, corporate counsel services, as well as strategic consulting services to businesses. I leverage my unique experience and skillset to provide innovative solutions and achieve favorable results, with the goal of empowering clients to move successfully forward. www.phoenixlawpllc.com kbrandt@phoenixlawpllc.com

Neil R. on ContractsCounsel
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January 29, 2026

Neil R.

Partner/Shareholder
Free Consultation
Hood River, OR
39 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA, OR
University of Pennyslvania (JD)

Neil Rust is a transactional attorney with almost four decades of experience ranging across a broad range of fields, including M&A, finance, structured finance, VC and general corporate. Before moving to Oregon, Mr. Rust was a partner at the Los Angeles office of an international law for 26 years and the Century City office of a national law firm for 5 years. During his big firm tenure, Neil Rust gathered experience across multiple industries and enjoys counselling clients as much as drafting and negotiating.

Grace C. on ContractsCounsel
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Grace C.

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I’m Grace E. Carlson, an intellectual property & transactional attorney, founder of aTMospheric IP, LLC, with over 6 years of combined law firm and in-house experience. I help businesses, startups, creators, and entrepreneurs draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts while protecting their brands and innovations. My expertise includes SaaS agreements, MSAs, NDAs, licensing contracts, vendor and partnership agreements, as well as comprehensive trademark strategy, copyright matters, AI-related IP issues, and technology transactions. I’ve supported global companies including Robinhood, Iron Mountain, and Microsoft, and provided flexible in-house counsel through Axiom Law across fintech, SaaS, consumer goods, and data center industries. Known for translating complex legal issues into clear, practical solutions, I focus on delivering contracts that reduce risk, support go-to-market strategies, and scale with your business. Whether you need a custom SaaS agreement, trademark-integrated contracts, or AI compliance review, I provide responsive, business-minded counsel. Bar Admissions: Washington (2020) & Oregon (2021) J.D., Seattle University School of Law Let’s get your contracts and IP protections done right — efficiently and effectively.

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Employment Contract

North Carolina

Asked on Apr 18, 2023

What's termination notice in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a job offer with a new company and I was given an employment contract to sign. I was looking through the contract and noticed that it mentions something about a termination notice. I'm not sure what this means or how it applies to my employment, so I wanted to ask a lawyer to get a better understanding of this clause.

Ryan D.

Answered May 30, 2023

A termination notice is a provision in an employment contract that specifies the amount of notice an employer must give an employee if they wish to terminate the contract, or vice versa if the employee wishes to leave. This is an important clause, as it offers some level of job security for the employee and some level of predictability for the employer. In most states, including North Carolina, employment is considered "at-will" unless there is a contract in place that states otherwise. This means that either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all, as long as the reason isn't illegal (like discrimination). If your contract includes a termination notice clause, this "at-will" status is likely modified to some extent. The specific details would depend on the exact wording in your contract. It could require either party to provide a notice (often 2 weeks, 1 month, or sometimes longer) before terminating the contract. That notice period is intended to give the other party time to adjust plans accordingly. For the employee, it might mean finding a new job; for the employer, it might mean finding a replacement.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

New York

Asked on Apr 15, 2023

What should be included in my employment contract?

I am a small business owner looking to hire an employee for the first time. I have never written an employment contract before, so I am unsure of what should be included in the contract to ensure that it is legally binding and protects both the employee and me. I am looking for advice on what should be included in the contract to ensure that my interests and those of my employee are adequately protected.

Donya G.

Answered Apr 18, 2023

Hello, Congratulations on your business. Here are some things that need to be in the agreement - amount you will pay them, when you will pay, the term of the employment, confidentiality, non solicit. Since you have never done this before, I would like to suggest that you hire an attorney to get it done to ensure it is done correctly. I am a NY attorney with over 20 years of experience. I assist small businesses like yours with their employment, vendor, investment and all their contract needs. I would love to assist you. You can contact me on the Contracts Counsel website or on my personal page - Donya Gordon Looking forward to talking to and working with you Sincerely Donya Gordon

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Employment

Employment Contract

Florida

Asked on Feb 23, 2023

Do I have to provide my employees with a paycheck stub?

We find employee pay stubs laying around in the warehouse and left in company vehicles

Diane D.

Answered Mar 21, 2023

Florida doesn't require employers to provide a pay stub with a paycheck, nor do they have to offer them in electronic format. Pay stub legislation in Florida instead defaults to federal laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Read 1 attorney answer>

Labor

Employment Contract

Georgia

Asked on Oct 4, 2021

I was recently let go after complaining about discrimination and targeted. I was termed with a severance package. I want to know if I can renegotiate the severance.

Can I get more on my severance since I was let go after complaining about discrimination to my employer?

Donya G.

Answered Oct 5, 2021

That sounds like it would depend on the reasons you were given for being let go. Did you document your grievances in an email or where they just done by word of mouth? You should consult with a GA attorney that specializes in employment law to assit. All the best Donya Gordon

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Employment

Employment Contract

California

Asked on Apr 22, 2023

What's intellectual property in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a job offer that contained an employment contract. The contract states that I will not use any intellectual property of the company without prior written consent. I am unsure what exactly constitutes as intellectual property and would like to get a better understanding of the definition of intellectual property in the context of an employment contract.

Russell M.

Answered Apr 28, 2023

Your Agreement may contain a definition like this: “Intellectual Property” means recognized protectable rights and interests such as: patents (whether or not issued), copyrights, trademarks, service marks, applications for any of the foregoing, inventions, Confidential Information, trade secrets, trade dress, domain names, logos, insignia, color combinations, slogans, moral rights, right of publicity, author’s rights, contract and licensing rights, works, mask works, industrial design rights, rights of priority, know how, design flows, methodologies, devices business processes, developments, innovations. But a few of these are going to be most likely available to you. Internal company know-how or “ how we do things here that help us succeed”. Note the words “Confidential Information”. Confidential Information is another defined term which includes customer and employee information, pricing and business strategy and plans, among others.

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