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Stephen A. Teller

Stephen A. Teller

Teller & Associates
1139 34th Avenue
Suite A
Seattle, WA 98122

Phone: (206) 324-8969  |  Fax: (206) 860-3172
http://www.stellerlaw.com/

Contact Stephen A. Teller

Fighting Hard For Workers' Rights

Legal Topic

Employment & Labor Relations

Preferred New Clients

I prefer to work with clients who are having trouble in their workplace or have recently been fired. We usually handle these cases on contingency. I also conduct consultations, review severance packages and employment contracts for a small fee.

Sub-Categories

Employment & Labor Relations
  • Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Employees
  • Age Discrimination
  • Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Disability Discrimination
  • Discipline/Suspension
  • Emotional Distress
  • Employee Rights
  • Employment Contracts
  • Equal Pay Act (EPA)
  • Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Government Employees
  • Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
  • Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
  • Race Discrimination
  • Racial Harassment
  • Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  • Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866
  • Severance Packages
  • Sex Discrimination
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Termination
  • Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act
  • Wage & Hour Laws
  • Whistleblower
  • Wrongful Termination

Bar Admissions

WA, Nov 1993
Bar Number: 23372

Other Court Admissions

All Washington State Courts;
Federal Courts including Western District of Washington; 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

Association Memberships

Washington State Bar Association

Continuing Education

I am a regular speaker at employment law and trial lawyers' association seminars.

Papers and Publications

Many years ago I co-authored a book chapter on Eyewitness Testimony Research and wrote my Master's Thesis on Lawyers' predictions of case outcomes. More recently, I have contributed to the WSTLA Trial News and to the recently-published WSTLA Employment Law Deskbook (Forms Chapter). For those who are impressed by such things, I am listed in Marquis' Who's Who in American Law, Millennium Edition.

Example Cases

Most of my cases are settled confidentially because we choose our cases carefully. There is no typical case. We handle matters in which we believe we can prove illegal conduct by government or business.

Education

Degree:

M.S.

School:

University of Washington

City:

Seattle

State:

WA

Year:

1992

Focus and Accomplishments:

Joint Degree Program in Law and Psychology
Focus: Cognitive Psychology

 

Degree:

B.A.

School:

Reed College

City:

Portland

State:

OR

Year:

1989

Honors:

Commendation for Academic Excellence (1989)

Focus and Accomplishments:

Major: Psychology

 

Degree:

J.D.

School:

University of Washington

City:

Seattle

State:

WA

Year:

1993

Focus and Accomplishments:

Joint Degree Program in Law and Psychology

Number of Attorneys

4

State Licensed In

Washington

Firm Focus and History

The lawyers in my office practice in the areas of Employment Discrimination; Wrongful Termination; Qui Tam (whistleblowers exposing fraud against the government); Automobile Collisions; Premises Liability ("trip and fall"); Defective Product Liability; Doctor, Dentist, and Therapist Misconduct; and Insurance Bad Faith and Consumer Protection. We do Plaintiff work only and are proud to be Trial Lawyers.

I started my solo practice after seven years working for other lawyers. The firm has been very successful, and I recently hired three associates whose practices also focus on employment law and personal injury.

Previous Employment Summary

From 1993 to 2000, I worked for three excellent employment discrimination and personal injury law firms where I learned from the some of the best.

Activities and Awards

None

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

It is a very good idea if a client shows interest. You're on the same team as your lawyer, why shouldn't you contribute everything you can?

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Of course, although a verbal discussion is usually the best first step because I know what I am looking for.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am willing to consult about options the client has and often "ghost write" letters from the client or coach them in dealing with their employer. I would not coach someone through litigation.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I decided to be a lawyer because it seemed to match my talents.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I have two degrees in psychology and I've been doing this work for a long time. I strive for progress, not perfection.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I want to make the world a better place by making big companies and governments obey the law. Every case we bring helps make the working world better for others.

What do you like best about your career?

What I like best about my career is being useful to others.

Tell us about your law firm:

I have three excellent associates who are extremely committed to helping our clients solve workplace problems and stopping the abuse of power. Our firm's practice focus is in employment law. We also practice extensively in the area of Qui Tam litigation (where business is committing fraud against the government, e.g., Medicare fraud, weapons procurement fraud, etc.).

What are your strengths and style?

We are very skilled at obtaining pre-trial and even pre-filing settlements that allow clients to continue on with their lives and repair career damage. We are aggressive litigators who are unafraid to go to the mat for our clients.

Laid back. We do not dress in suits in the office very often. We laugh a lot. We try not to talk like lawyers. We always do our best to help our clients, and find that this usually leads to excellent outcomes. We like to help people get compensation and move on with their lives after experiencing mistreatment on the job.

Personal Interests:

My personal interests include the art and culture of northwest native people; skiing; physical fitness; swing dancing; smelling roses.

Office Manager/Assistant

The lawyers answer the phone at our office. For the office manager, ask for Steve.

Fax

(206) 860-3172

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

German, French

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Consultations are $225 for a thorough review of most problems and a discussion of options.
We also set flat fees for representation in unemployment cases, usually $600 to $1000.

Hourly Rates

Teller: $250
Associates: $185

Free Initial Consultation?

We have a free phone screening process, then offer a consultation where appropriate. We will waive the consultation fee in some cases. We charge a consultation fee for in-person meetings in which we give legal advice about the options facing the client.

Typical Retainer

We rarely charge a retainer fee. We do want clients to pay for or contribute to payment for costs.

Understanding Fees

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