Aaron Goldstein
PEOPLE

Aaron Goldstein

Partner
goldstein.aaron@dorsey.com
Seattle P +1 (206) 903-5434 F +1 (206) 903-8820

Overview

AARON HELPS HIS CLIENTS FIND THE QUICKEST AND MOST COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO THEIR TOUGHEST EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE SECRETS PROBLEMS.

Aaron brings a decade and a half of experience to companies’ quirkiest, thorniest, and most complex employment and trade secret issues. Aaron also works with companies to develop policies and practices that are engines for business growth, that protect companies’ sensitive information, and that reflect the culture and values of the companies he represents. When Aaron’s clients are faced with litigation, he aggressively pushes their cases forward to an efficient resolution.

Aaron advises businesses and provides litigation expertise on all employment and trade secret related matters, from non-competition agreements and data theft, to discrimination and harassment claims under Oregon, Washington, and federal law. Aaron represents clients before the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, the Washington Human Rights Commission, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Aaron represents companies in a wide variety of industries including, banking, financial services, computer software, semiconductor fabrication, retail, and medical supplies.

Education & Admissions

University of Southern California, Gould School of Law (J.D., 2003), Order of the Coif

Cornell University (B.A., Government, 2000)

Admissions

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Experience

Representative Litigation

  • Obtained an early employer favorable settlement enforcing non-compete agreements against several departing employees.
  • Assisted several clients with comprehensive employment policy reviews and drafting/revision of employment handbooks.
  • Defended complaint alleging disability discrimination and retaliation. Obtained a low dollar settlement before summary judgment phase of litigation.
  • Negotiated favorable early settlement of non-compete litigation on behalf of plaintiff corporation.
  • Successfully argued numerous pretrial motions and obtained a defense ruling on independent contractor status on behalf of defendant.
  • Defended BOLI complaint alleging age, race, and disability discrimination. Obtained dismissal.
  • Represented client in claims against former employees for breach of employment contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. Managed complex computer forensic investigation. Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Based upon computer forensic evidence obtained, convinced new employer and former employees to enter into a favorable settlement including a permanent injunction.
  • Defended client against final paycheck claims. Negotiated a favorable settlement.
  • Defended clients from claims by former employer alleging breach of employment contract, breach of fiduciary duty, usurpation of corporate opportunity, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement.
  • Defended FMLA, OFLA, and ADEA claims under federal and Oregon law. Obtained summary judgment.

News & Resources

Articles

Don’t Let a Tight Labor Market Get Your Guard Down
Noncompete Agreements are Slowly Going Extinct in the U.S.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Has Confirmed That Employers Face Potential Liability If They Use AI Tools To Screen Applicants. Employers Should Listen.
U.S. National Labor Relations Board Restricts Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Terms for Separation and Release Agreements
Economic Downturn May Cause Spike in Litigation Arising From Reductions-in-Force
Washington State is Newest State to Expand Pay Transparency Requirements
U.S. Equal Pay and Pay Transparency Laws Are Getting More Complex
States Expand Pay Transparency Requirements, Including for Remote Job Postings
Additional EEOC Guidance for Employers Processing Religious Exemption Requests in Workplace COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Dorsey Legal Arcade: Video Game Industry Legal Updates Volume 1, Issue 2
Washington’s Travel Time Trap for Employers
OSHA Releases Updated Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
Masks are Back for Washingtonians. Will Other States Follow?
New EEOC Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rule for Healthcare Employers
COVID-19 Safety Precautions Expose American Employers to New Wage and Hour Claims
Managing Workplace Safety in the COVID-19 Era
Congress Extends the FFCRA’s Payroll-Tax Credit for Employers (but not the Paid-Leave Obligation!)
The COVID-19 Vaccine – Next Steps for Canadian Employers with U.S. Operations
Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace: Practical Considerations for Employers
U.S. Department of Labor Rule Broadens the Classification of Independent Contractors
Can Employer’s Require Vaccinations? Should They?
Federal Court Invalidates Portions of the DOL’s FFCRA Rule
NLRB Empowers Employers to Discipline Employees for Abusive or Offensive Conduct
As States Reopen, Can Employees Refuse to Return to Work Based on Fear of Exposure to COVID-19?

News & Press Mentions

200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 12 Dorsey Lawyers and Four Practices in Seattle
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Aaron Goldstein Comments on California Pay Transparency Law
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Aaron Goldstein Discusses National COVID Preparedness Plan
Aaron Goldstein Comments on COVID Related EEOC Charges
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Bill Ending Mandatory Arbitration for Sexual Harassment
Aaron Goldstein Comments on SCOTUS Vaccine Mandate Ruling
Aaron Goldstein Discusses COVID Religious Exemption Requests
Aaron Goldstein Discusses Texas' Vaccine Mandate Ban
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Federal Contracts and Vaccine Mandates
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Vaccine Mandate Impact to Restaurants
18 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Employers and Booster Vaccines
Aaron Goldstein Discusses COVID Booster Shots
Aaron Goldstein Discusses CDC Mask Guidance Update
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Pay Cuts for Remote Workers
Aaron Goldstein Comments on Reimbursing Remoter Workers Energy Bills
13 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2021 The Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue
Dorsey Partner Aaron Goldstein Remarks on Miami School and COVID Vaccine
Dorsey Partner Aaron Goldstein Answers COVID Vaccine FAQs
Dorsey Partner Aaron Goldstein Interviewed by VERIFY: Yes, employers and schools can soon require COVID vaccines
Dorsey Partner Aaron Goldstein Remarks on Can Employers Fire You Over COVID Vaccine
Dorsey Partner Aaron Goldstein Remarks on Employers Requiring COVID Vaccine

Legal Writings

  • The 2014 Dorsey Employment Law Guide

Select Presentations

  • Speaker, Dorsey Labor & Employment Law Briefing: “Employment Law Update: A Look Back at 2017 and What’s New for 2018,” (February 27, 2018)
  • State and Federal Labor and Employment Laws Applicable to Tribes or Tribal Commercial Entities (June, 2014) Seattle University
  • FLSA – The Law We Love To Hate! (February 2014)
  • The Public Meaning Rule: Reconciling Meaning, Intent and Contract Interpretation (2012), 7th Annual International Conference on Contracts, Thomas Jefferson School of Law 
  • Ethical Challenges and Changing Technology (2011), National Business Institute 
  • Legal Challenges Facing Staffing Agencies (2008), Northwest Staffing Resources 
  • Avoiding Discrimination and Retaliation Claims (2007), Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 23rd Annual Employment Law Conference

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020  Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2018-2024
  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2018-2023
  • Recognized as a "Labor & Employment Star – Washington" by Benchmark Litigation, 2022
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue, 2021
  • Dorsey & Whitney – Scales of Justice Team Award (The World Ventilator Foundation), 2021
  • Recognized by Client Choice for Excellence in Client Service – Labor & Employment, Washington, 2017 and 2018
Aaron Goldstein