Kimberly Holdiman

Associate

Kimberly.Holdiman@lewisbrisbois.com

Kimberly A. Holdiman is an associate in the Seattle office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Labor & Employment Practice.

Kimberly Holdiman is a dedicated management-side employment law attorney. She represents employers on a broad range of employment law matters including discrimination and harassment, retaliation, discipline and wrongful termination, and wage and hour concerns under both federal and state laws.

Kimberly defends employers against claims by employees at every stage of litigation from pre-suit negotiations through trial and appeal. Recent experience in this area includes work on several different single plaintiff discrimination arbitrations where she applied her adept understanding of both state and federal law regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accommodation, and leave claims to achieve realistic goals agreed to by her clients, and defend clients' interests. She has also worked on an appeal from a multimillion dollar workers’ compensation tax assessment, and has become an integral resource for the Seattle office on workers' compensation tax law.

Kimberly’s extensive litigation experience means she can handle cases from inception to hearing. At each stage in the process, Kimberly works with her client to ensure her work is tailored to meet their goals. In initial stages, Kimberly works to gather the needed evidence to tell the company’s story; whether that is focusing on preparation for a plaintiff deposition to get necessary testimony for dispositive motions, coordinating significant eDiscovery review to produce evidence of the company’s story, or simply conducting early investigation of document review and interviews. At later stages, Kimberly focuses on navigating the plethora of possible resolution mechanisms, including dispositive motions, mediation or negotiated settlement, or taking the matter to trial. Kimberly’s approach is always tailored to her clients' needs.
In addition to her litigation experience, Kimberly works with clients to provide timely advice and counsel on a broad spectrum of employment laws. Recently, she has been on the frontlines of drafting advice and giving presentations to educate clients on compliance recommendations on wage transparency requirements under the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. She has developed significant knowledge of the Washington “Silence No More Act” regarding nondisclosure and non-disparagement requirements.

Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, Kimberly worked for Littler Mendelson P.C. for 4 years representing employers in all aspects of employment law. Kimberly also had experience working for Winston & Cashatt litigating employment law cases on behalf of both defendants and plaintiffs including class action wage and hour claims, and single plaintiff discrimination claims which gives her additional perspective in litigation as a management side attorney. Kimberly’s experience as a human resources professional before she was an attorney informs her work, and allows her to work closely with her clients to achieve their desired outcomes.

During law school, Kimberly targeted employment law through elective courses and a relevant internship to develop valuable experience. She served as a law clerk for a Spokane area firm, performing legal research and writing for attorneys in diverse areas of law including employment and labor, administrative, appeals, business, class action, and litigation. She also drafted pleadings for trial courts, appeals courts and administrative actions.

Kimberly majored in management with a focus in human resources for her undergraduate degree. This, combined with serving as president of the university's local Society for Human Resource Management chapter, provided her with a solid base to begin her law career.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

• Labor & Employment

Associations

• Washington Women Lawyers State Board, Vice President of Professional Development 
• Pacific Coast Employment & Labor Law Conference Planning Committee, Member and Stage Moderator
• ProVisors, Seattle Legal Affinity Group & Bellevue 2 Home Group
• Society for Human Resources Management, Member 
• Labor & Employment Law Section of Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association

Awards & Honors

• CALI Award for Employment Discrimination, 2019
• CALI Award Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2019
• CALI Award Legal Research and Writing, 2017
• President, Moot Court Honors Counsel, Gonzaga Law School 2018-2020
• Team Leader, Civil Rights Moot Court Inaugural Team, 2018-2019
• Client Counseling Competition Finalist, 2017
• Deans List, Gonzaga Law School 2017-2020
• Business School Member of the Year, University of Nevada Reno, 2017

Professional Presentations

• More Than A Feeling: A Deep Dive Into Mental Health Accommodations in the Workplace. Pacific Coast Employment and Labor Conference, Moderator. April 28, 2023
• What Management & Human Resources Need to Know for Washington Wage Transparency Requirements under the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act. Lake Washington Human Resources Association, Speaker. February 14, 2023
• Washington Employment Law Update for 2022-2023. Trending Talks Virtual Panel Presentation, Speaker. December 15, 2022
• Washington Update: New Employment Law Legislation for 2021-2022. May 17, 2022
• What’s Keeping You Awake at Night Regarding Disability and COVID. Pacific Coast Employment and Labor Conference, Moderator. May 12, 2022

Education

Gonzaga University School of Law

Juris Doctor, Summa cum laude, 2020

University of Nevada

Bachelor of Science, 2017

Publications

• Washington State, Wage and Hour Laws: A State-by-State Survey, BNA, co-authors: Martell, Thieme and Subit, 2022-2023