Molly A. Terwilliger

Partner

She/Her/Hers

Molly Terwilliger is a trial lawyer who represents local and national corporations in arbitrations, mediations, and state and federal bench and jury trials. She advises clients on a wide range of intellectual property, labor and employment, and complex commercial matters, where she leverages ediscovery tools to manage the collection and production of electronic documents. On the labor side, Molly handles wage and hour class actions, discrimination and sexual harassment claims, wrongful termination matters, and sensitive workplace investigations. On the intellectual property side, she represents clients in matters of trade secret misappropriation; breach of contract; copyright, trademark, and trade dress infringement; and unfair competition.

Selected Representations

Intellectual Property

First chair in a successful two-week arbitration defending a former sales agent against claims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment brought by a former supplier
Defended a corporation against claims of copyright, trademark, and trade dress infringement, as well as unfair competition, in a successful bench trial in the Western District of Washington
Obtained favorable settlements of numerous matters asserting and defending against claims of trademark infringement and unfair competition, including domain-name disputes
Local counsel in numerous patent cases pending in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington

Labor & Employment

Obtained favorable a jury verdict in favor of a municipal employer on claims for wrongful termination in violation of public policy for engaging in protected union activity in King County (Washington) Superior Court; successfully defended the verdict on appeal
Obtained summary judgment in favor of an employer on sexual harassment claims filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a chief executive and employer on claims for breach of severance agreement and willful nonpayment of wages in King County Superior Court; successfully defended the judgment on appeal
Defended employers in wage and hour class actions brought in state and federal court
Obtained summary judgment in favor of an employer on claims of age and disability discrimination filed in King County Superior Court; successfully defended the judgment on appeal
Conducted confidential workplace investigations for private companies and municipalities involving claims of discrimination and unfair treatment
Negotiated numerous settlements relating to employee departures

Other

Obtained a favorable settlement of claims for trade secret misappropriation brought by former employer against former employee and new employer
Obtained dismissal in both state and federal court of claims brought by pro se litigant against a municipal water district
Obtained a favorable settlement in the pro bono representation of a domestic violence victim in a Section 1983 litigation relating to the initiation of a dependency for her minor child
Authored amicus curiae briefs on behalf of Legal Voice and the ACLU of Washington in matters involving the termination of victims of domestic violence’s parental rights

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School, 1998, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif
Northwestern University, 1994, B.A., History, Departmental Honors

Admissions

Washington

Clerkships

Clerkship to Judge Marsha J. Pechman of the US District Court for the Western District of Washington (1999 - 2001)
Clerkship to Chief Justice Barbara Durham of the Washington Supreme Court (1998 - 1999)

Awards and Affiliations

Recommended, Intellectual property: Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 US (2023)

Recognized, Commercial Litigation, Seattle, The Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2024)

Recognized, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Seattle, The Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2024)

President, Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington

Past member, Legal Committee, ACLU of Washington Foundation

Past president and board member, Legal Voice, an organization that champions economic, social, and legal equality for women and girls