Anne-Marie Sargent has practiced law since 1997. Anne-Marie focuses her practice primarily in all areas of employment law, including drafting employment agreements, severance negotiation, discrimination cases, reviewing and drafting non-compete agreements, and wage and hour class actions. Anne-Marie has represented employees against major area employers including Starbucks, Amazon, Microsoft, and the University of Washington.
Anne-Marie also represents small- to medium-sized businesses headquartered in Washington, including law firms, architectural and design firms, real estate companies, and production companies. Anne-Marie reviews and drafts employee handbooks, employment contracts, provides harassment and other employee training, and consults with companies to prevent employment disputes in a cost-effective manner. She has represented companies in responding to discrimination claims and state agency audits, including with the EEOC, Human Rights Commission, Labor & Industries, Employment Security Department, and the Seattle Office of Civil Rights. Anne-Marie can also be retained for independent harassment and workplace investigations.
Anne-Marie devotes a portion of her practice to mediating a variety of disputes, including employment litigation. She enjoys meditating and facilitating disputes at the workplace so that employees and businesses can thrive. She is also available for audits of business’s personnel issues and workplace procedures.
Anne-Marie graduated from Stanford University in 1993, and summa cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 1997. In January, 2006, she formed Connor & Sargent PLLC, with her husband, Steve Connor. Steve and Anne-Marie regularly consult with each other to achieve the best resolutions for their clients.
Personal Statement
I grew up in Kodiak, Alaska, a fishing port on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, the home of the Kodiak Bear. When I was eight years I talked to my dad about what to be when I grew up. He suggested that I be a lawyer — he said it would be a good profession for a woman because I would have a better chance at receiving equal pay for equal work. I had to get through a few summers working on my dad’s salmon boat in college — after getting jelly fish in your eyes a few dozen times, a desk job sounds fantastic. My dad’s suggestion turned out prophetic — I not only became a lawyer, but I also became an employment lawyer, helping employees and employers resolve employment disputes, including helping women resolve equal pay issues.
We recognize that clients come to us at one of the most stressful times of life — when an employment relationship is ending or changing. The most important thing to us is to support our clients in this transition in the way that works best for them. We often talk to people who do not have a legal claim, but it is helpful to know one’s rights so that one can move on with what’s next. Businesses face significant stress from the expense and inconvenience of litigation. For decades I have had an inside seat to how employment relationships unravel and the responses that cause employees to sue. I offer sensible and cost-effective advice to businesses to side step those issues, and am happy to say that none of my clients have ever been sued after following my advice.
In my non-lawyering hours I spend time outside, walking or hiking with our dogs, or spending time in the garden. I carry a sketchbook almost everywhere and sketch my surroundings in pen, pencil, and watercolor. I love to read, cook, and practice yoga almost daily (how else could one healthfully survive the “trials” of litigation?). When our schedule permits, Steve and I travel to our home at 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies, where we do our legal work to a view of the mountains.
