EmmaKazaryan
Partner
Labor & Employment
ekazaryan@seyfarth.com
Emma advises employers on workplace issues and employment litigation, with a focus on practical solutions that align with business objectives.
More About Emma
Emma is a trusted advisor to employers navigating complex workplace issues, combining litigation experience with practical day-to-day counseling to help clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and foster compliant workplace cultures. She partners with employers across industries on the full spectrum of employment matters, including employee relations issues, workplace investigations, disability accommodation and leave management, hiring and termination decisions, performance management, and policy development. Emma is known for providing strategic, business-oriented advice tailored to each client’s operational goals and risk tolerance. Drawing on her litigation background, she helps clients proactively address workplace concerns before they escalate into disputes or government scrutiny.
Emma also represents employers in all phases of employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace misconduct. She has experience handling sensitive internal investigations, managing responses to agency charges and government inquiries, and representing clients in severance negotiations and other high-stakes employment matters. In litigation, Emma has second- and third-chaired jury and bench trials and brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to case strategy and advocacy.
In addition to her counseling and litigation practice, Emma regularly advises clients on drafting and updating employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment agreements, and severance agreements, and conducts workplace trainings designed to mitigate risk and support effective management practices.
Emma also represents employers in all phases of employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace misconduct. She has experience handling sensitive internal investigations, managing responses to agency charges and government inquiries, and representing clients in severance negotiations and other high-stakes employment matters. In litigation, Emma has second- and third-chaired jury and bench trials and brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to case strategy and advocacy.
In addition to her counseling and litigation practice, Emma regularly advises clients on drafting and updating employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment agreements, and severance agreements, and conducts workplace trainings designed to mitigate risk and support effective management practices.
- JD, University of Washington School of Law
- BA, University of Washington
Law, Societies and Justice
- Washington
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Services
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- Complex Discrimination Litigation
- Demands & Administrative Charges
- Discipline & Performance Management
- Employment Agreements & Covenants
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Leaves of Absence Management and Accommodations
- Separation & Release Agreements
- Termination Counseling
- Trial
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Workplace Crisis Response & Investigations
- Workplace Training
Related Key Industries
- Secured complete summary judgment on behalf of an airline in a lawsuit alleging FMLA interference and retaliation, and successfully defended the outcome through appeal to the Ninth Circuit.
- Secured complete summary judgment in a complex, multiplaintiff religious accommodation case that started with 45 plaintiffs. Also prevailed on multiple motions for sanctions against plaintiffs.
- Secured a complete dismissal on behalf of a municipal government in a case related to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
- Secured a complete summary judgment on behalf of an airline in a lawsuit alleging constructive discharge and leave retaliation and interference by a former employee.
- Represented numerous clients through numerous agency charges and investigations that have resulted in complete dismissals for the client.
- Represented clients through an investigations by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards that resulted in a favorable settlements for the clients.
- Defeated in its entirety a motion for summary judgment on a client’s claims against a former employee for trade secrets violations and tortious interference with contract and business expectancies.
Related News & Insights
-
Attorney Publication
Feb 4, 2026
Now Available! Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Laws in the Evergreen State (2026 Edition)
-
Legal Update
Nov 19, 2025
Washington’s Revised Personnel File Law: Practical Considerations for Employers
-
Attorney Publication
May 15, 2025
Now Available! Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Laws in the Evergreen State
-
Webinar
May 15, 2025
Webinar Recording: Legislative Update: Recent Developments Impacting Washington State Employers
- Recognized as a “Ones to Watch” lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2026) and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026)
- Recognized by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) as a “Rising Star” for Employment Litigation, Civil Litigation, and Employment & Labor (2021-2024)
- Washington State Bar Association
- Co-Author, “Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Law in the Evergreen State (2026 Edition),” Publication, Seyfarth Shaw (February 4, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Washington’s Revised Personnel File Law: Practical Considerations for Employers,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 19, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Washington Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Labor & Employment Law in the Evergreen State (2025 Edition)," Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2025)
- Co-Author, “Washington Amends Employee Personnel File Access Laws,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 21, 2025)
- Co-Author, “Washington Increases Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for Exemption and Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Washington Healthcare Company Ordered to Pay Workers Almost $100M for Missed Meal Breaks, Unpaid Time,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2024)
- Co-Author, "New Salary Posting Requirement in Washington," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2022)
- Co-Author, "City of Seattle’s 'Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance' Will Go Into Effect September 2022," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2022)
- Co-Speaker, “DEI in Transition: Safeguarding DEI Under Federal and State Anti-Discrimination Framework,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Washington Labor & Employment Law Summit (February 2026)
- Presenter, "Insights from the Legal Department: Managing Employee Performance," IAAPA Expo (November 20, 2025)
- Presenter, "Off Duty Employee Conduct: Employer Obligations when Personal Lives Come to Work," IAAPA Expo (November 19, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Legislative Update: Recent Developments Impacting Washington State Employers,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2025)
- Presenter, "Elevate Your Performance Management Practices: Strategies for Success," 2024 LWHRA Symposium (October 1, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Fostering DEI in the Workplace: A Strategic Imperative for Organizational Distinction,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Washington L&E Summit (February 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on Paid Family Leave Laws - Part VII: Spotlighting Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2022)
Languages
- Russian
Emma advises employers on workplace issues and employment litigation, with a focus on practical solutions that align with business objectives.
More About Emma
Emma is a trusted advisor to employers navigating complex workplace issues, combining litigation experience with practical day-to-day counseling to help clients manage risk, resolve disputes, and foster compliant workplace cultures. She partners with employers across industries on the full spectrum of employment matters, including employee relations issues, workplace investigations, disability accommodation and leave management, hiring and termination decisions, performance management, and policy development. Emma is known for providing strategic, business-oriented advice tailored to each client’s operational goals and risk tolerance. Drawing on her litigation background, she helps clients proactively address workplace concerns before they escalate into disputes or government scrutiny.
Emma also represents employers in all phases of employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace misconduct. She has experience handling sensitive internal investigations, managing responses to agency charges and government inquiries, and representing clients in severance negotiations and other high-stakes employment matters. In litigation, Emma has second- and third-chaired jury and bench trials and brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to case strategy and advocacy.
In addition to her counseling and litigation practice, Emma regularly advises clients on drafting and updating employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment agreements, and severance agreements, and conducts workplace trainings designed to mitigate risk and support effective management practices.
Emma also represents employers in all phases of employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace misconduct. She has experience handling sensitive internal investigations, managing responses to agency charges and government inquiries, and representing clients in severance negotiations and other high-stakes employment matters. In litigation, Emma has second- and third-chaired jury and bench trials and brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to case strategy and advocacy.
In addition to her counseling and litigation practice, Emma regularly advises clients on drafting and updating employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment agreements, and severance agreements, and conducts workplace trainings designed to mitigate risk and support effective management practices.
- JD, University of Washington School of Law
- BA, University of Washington
Law, Societies and Justice
- Washington
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Services
- Agency Investigations & Audits
- Complex Discrimination Litigation
- Demands & Administrative Charges
- Discipline & Performance Management
- Employment Agreements & Covenants
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Leaves of Absence Management and Accommodations
- Separation & Release Agreements
- Termination Counseling
- Trial
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Workplace Crisis Response & Investigations
- Workplace Training
Related Key Industries
- Secured complete summary judgment on behalf of an airline in a lawsuit alleging FMLA interference and retaliation, and successfully defended the outcome through appeal to the Ninth Circuit.
- Secured complete summary judgment in a complex, multiplaintiff religious accommodation case that started with 45 plaintiffs. Also prevailed on multiple motions for sanctions against plaintiffs.
- Secured a complete dismissal on behalf of a municipal government in a case related to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
- Secured a complete summary judgment on behalf of an airline in a lawsuit alleging constructive discharge and leave retaliation and interference by a former employee.
- Represented numerous clients through numerous agency charges and investigations that have resulted in complete dismissals for the client.
- Represented clients through an investigations by the Seattle Office of Labor Standards that resulted in a favorable settlements for the clients.
- Defeated in its entirety a motion for summary judgment on a client’s claims against a former employee for trade secrets violations and tortious interference with contract and business expectancies.
Related News & Insights
-
Attorney Publication
Feb 4, 2026
Now Available! Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Laws in the Evergreen State (2026 Edition)
-
Legal Update
Nov 19, 2025
Washington’s Revised Personnel File Law: Practical Considerations for Employers
-
Attorney Publication
May 15, 2025
Now Available! Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Laws in the Evergreen State
-
Webinar
May 15, 2025
Webinar Recording: Legislative Update: Recent Developments Impacting Washington State Employers
- Recognized as a “Ones to Watch” lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2026) and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026)
- Recognized by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) as a “Rising Star” for Employment Litigation, Civil Litigation, and Employment & Labor (2021-2024)
- Washington State Bar Association
- Co-Author, “Washington Peculiarities: An Employer's Guide to Labor & Employment Law in the Evergreen State (2026 Edition),” Publication, Seyfarth Shaw (February 4, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Washington’s Revised Personnel File Law: Practical Considerations for Employers,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 19, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Washington Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Labor & Employment Law in the Evergreen State (2025 Edition)," Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2025)
- Co-Author, “Washington Amends Employee Personnel File Access Laws,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 21, 2025)
- Co-Author, “Washington Increases Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for Exemption and Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Washington Healthcare Company Ordered to Pay Workers Almost $100M for Missed Meal Breaks, Unpaid Time,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2024)
- Co-Author, "New Salary Posting Requirement in Washington," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2022)
- Co-Author, "City of Seattle’s 'Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance' Will Go Into Effect September 2022," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2022)
- Co-Speaker, “DEI in Transition: Safeguarding DEI Under Federal and State Anti-Discrimination Framework,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Washington Labor & Employment Law Summit (February 2026)
- Presenter, "Insights from the Legal Department: Managing Employee Performance," IAAPA Expo (November 20, 2025)
- Presenter, "Off Duty Employee Conduct: Employer Obligations when Personal Lives Come to Work," IAAPA Expo (November 19, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Legislative Update: Recent Developments Impacting Washington State Employers,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2025)
- Presenter, "Elevate Your Performance Management Practices: Strategies for Success," 2024 LWHRA Symposium (October 1, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, “Fostering DEI in the Workplace: A Strategic Imperative for Organizational Distinction,” Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Washington L&E Summit (February 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on Paid Family Leave Laws - Part VII: Spotlighting Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2022)
Languages
- Russian