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Catharine Morisset

Partner


Seattle

t:206.693.5076

f:206.682.7908

Email

Service Focus

  • eDiscovery and Digital Workplace
  • Employee Leaves and Accommodations
  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • Litigation and Trials
  • Pay Equity and Transparency
  • Wage and Hour

Industry Focus

  • Cannabis
  • Hospitality
  • Transportation and Supply Chain

Languages

  • French
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Catharine Morisset is a litigation partner in the firm's Seattle office, representing local and national employers in litigation in state and federal courts, on appeal, and also before the EEOC and similar state agencies in all aspects of workplace law, such as the ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, FCRA, NLRA, Title VII, UTSA, and similar state laws. From the outset, Catharine works with clients to develop a strategy that leads to successful resolutions, whether it is a meticulous plaintiff’s deposition, motion to dismiss, favorable mediation, or trial success. 

Catharine believes in working closely with clients to address workplace issues proactively and as a valued partner to develop a successful workforce.  She uses her litigation experience to work closely with clients across all industries to provide effective preventive counseling and workforce training. This includes regularly advising and training clients on drug testing, background checks, hiring, diversity, wage-hour compliance, leaves, noncompetition agreements, reasonable accommodations, investigations, employment agreements, discipline, terminations, and mass layoffs.  Catharine is an experienced management and workforce trainer, sharing her legal knowledge and experience in an accessible, dynamic, and interactive manner.

As part of her commitment to fostering successful workplaces, Catharine is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  She is an accomplished speaker, who is often invited to address members across the state and the Pacific Northwest in all areas of workplace law. Catharine proudly demonstrates her commitment to advancing women in the legal profession as an Ambassador to the firm’s Women’s Initiative and Leadership Council.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1999, cum laude, Tulane Law School
  • B.A., 1994, University of Washington

Bar Admissions

  • Washington
  • Alaska

Court Admissions

  • Alaska Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • Washington Supreme Court

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2024-2025)

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Board Member, Washington State Hospitality Association
  • Board Member, South King County Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Member, National Association of Women Lawyers

Insights

  • Insights

    02/18/25

    Washington Supreme Court Significantly Limits Moonlighting Restrictions for Low Wage Employees: Your 4-Step Plan for Compliance

    Jonathan Crook, Catharine Morisset, Scott Oberlander

    Read more 

  • Insights

    11/21/24

    FP SCOTUS Predictions: Cannabis Product Makers Won’t Face Triple Damages Under RICO Law for Driver’s Failed Drug Test

    Catharine Morisset, Katherine M. DiCicco

    Read more 

  • Event

    07/24/24

    Hot Topics in Employee Defection and Trade Secrets: Spotlight on Washington State

    Michael P. Elkon, Catharine Morisset

    Read more 

  • Event

    Thursday, February 29, 2024 & Tuesday, March 5, 2024

    2024 Pay Equity Virtual Summit: What Businesses Need to Know About Compliance and Reporting to Avoid Litigation

    Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Cheryl Pinarchick, James C. Fessenden, Jennifer B. Sandberg, Jacklin Rad, Sheila M. Abron, Megan C. Winter, Monica Snyder Perl, Melissa Camire, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Jessica D. Causgrove, Catharine Morisset

    Read more 

  • Event

    10/18/23

    Washington 2023 Legal Update

    Davis C. Bae, Catharine Morisset, Ryan R. Jones, Meghan McNabb, Jeremy F. Wood

    Read more 

  • Insights

    06/12/23

    The Undiscovered Country, Sort Of: Washington Employers Must Begin Collecting Employee Premiums Starting July 1

    Catharine Morisset, Jeremy F. Wood

    Read more 

  • Insights

    06/02/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from May 2023

    Emily Alvarez, Alba V. Aviles, Steven M. Bernstein, Amanda M. Blair, Ted Boehm, Risa B. Boerner, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Melissa Camire, Jennifer B. Carroll, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Micah Dickie, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Michael P. Elkon, Michael R. Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Rebecca Hause-Schultz, Megan L. Janes, David S. Jones, Sean Kingston, David Klass, Matthew R. Korn, Edwina C. Kye, Courtney Leyes, Jeffrey E. Mandel, John A. Mavros, Mary Grace Miller, Catharine Morisset, Joshua D. Nadreau, Karen L. Odash, Brett P. Owens, Alden J. Parker, Arthur L. Ramirez, Robin Repass, Christopher P. Stief, Connie Yang, Travis Vance, Alexander A. Wheatley, Kristin R.B. White

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/22/23

    New Washington Law Targets Warehouse Production Quotas: Top 10 Questions for Employers and Staffing Agencies

    Catharine Morisset

    Read more 

  • News

    05/22/23

    Seattle Partner Discusses Washington State Bill Granting New Benefits for Gig Drivers

    Catharine Morisset

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/01/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from April 2023

    Cheryl L. Behymer, Amanda M. Blair, Risa B. Boerner, Raeann Burgo, Melissa Camire, Micah Dawson, Stephen R. Gee, Usama Kahf, Matthew R. Korn, Karen L. Odash, Courtney Leyes, Richard R. Meneghello, Catharine Morisset, Lisa Nagele-Piazza, Raymond W. Perez, Justin Reiter, Drew Tate, J. Hagood Tighe, Brett M. Wendt, Alexander A. Wheatley, Jeremy F. Wood

    Read more 

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