Robert M. Howie
Principal
Bob’s practice includes counseling, training and litigation for employers and business clients of all sizes on a wide range of matters, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage/hour compliance, disability accommodation, defeating union organizing campaigns, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, unfair competition, trade secrets, WISHA compliance and many other labor and employment disputes. He represents companies in a wide array of industries, including hospitality and restaurant, health care, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, technology and nonprofit organizations. Bob also conducts training sessions for clients, wage/hour compliance audits and handbook and employment policy reviews.
Bob is a frequent speaker on employment law topics and has also published several articles. His update of employment law developments held annually in June has become overwhelmingly popular, and a highly-anticipated event for clients. Prior to joining Riddell Williams in 1995, Bob served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert R. Beezer, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and to the Honorable Gerry L. Alexander, then-Washington Court of Appeals, Division II.
Education and Admissions
Bob received his B.A. from Williams College, with honors in History, cum laude, in 1990; and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, in 1993. He is admitted to practice in Washington, in the U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Memberships
American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Pacific Coast Labor Law Conference Planning Committee
Professional and Community Activities
Bob currently serves on the Board of Directors of Boyer Children’s Clinic, and is the Immediate Past President. He served one term as a Trustee on the ACT Theatre Board of Trustees.
Awards and Recognition
Bob has been named a Washington Super Lawyer® in Labor and Employment Law, and one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers.
Publications and Presentations
“Bob Howie’s 2009 Employment Law Update,” June 2009.
“The Gathering Storm: A Preview of Probable Changes to Employment and Labor Laws in 2009,” February 2009.
“Bob Howie’s Tenth Annual Employment Law Update: Around the Workplace in 90 Minutes,” June 2008.
“The Latest Employment Law News: Labor and Employment Update 2007,” June 2007.
“Technology in the Workplace,” November 2007.
“Lifestyle Discrimination Statutes: A Dangerous Erosion of At-Will Employment, a Passing Fad, or Both?” Employee Relations Law Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Summer 2005).
“How Long Is Enough—Leaves of Absence as Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA,” Employee Relations Law Journal, Vol. 29, No. 2 (Fall 2003).
“Pre-Employment Criminal Background Checks: Why Employers Should Look Before They Leap,” Employee Relations Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Summer 2002).
“Leathers v. Medlock: The Supreme Court Changes Course on Taxing the Press,” 49 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 1053, 1993.
