Local Hero

OLYMPIA, Wash. (Sept. 6, 2024) — The Washington State Bar Association today presented Thurston County employment attorney Stephanie Stocker with the Local Hero award in recognition of her long and successful career of fighting against workplace abuse, harassment, and discrimination.

“Stocker has dedicated herself to fighting on behalf of both employees and employers—all with the singular focus of ensuring fairness and the rule of law in the workplace,” said WSBA President Sunitha Anjilvel. “She has helped countless employees find justice and prevented injustices against so many more through the expert advice she provides to employers about critical areas of employment law.”

The Local Hero award is presented to those who have made noteworthy contributions to their communities. Anjilvel presented the award at the Sept. 6 meeting of WSBA’s Board of Governors in Olympia, WA. The Thurston County Bar Association nominated Stocker for the award, backed with the support of many Thurston County judges, public defenders, prosecutors, and more.

“I believe that the most relevant and deciding factor of this nomination is not necessarily Stephanie’s accolades, awards, and vast accomplishments, but who Stephanie is as a person,” wrote nominator Jennifer Smith. “Stephanie is a kind, humble, and loving human being. … Stephanie easily sees both the good and the bad in this world and can clearly decipher between the two.”

With more than two decades in both general and employment law litigation, Stocker now leads the employment law practice at Henderson Law Group, which she joined in 2013, and where she practices with her husband and father. She advises employers and employees on policies and procedures that prevent discrimination and harassment, effective firing and hiring practices, FMLA leave, and more. In 2019, for example, she won a settlement of more than $800,000 on a claim against a private employer of sexual assault and workplace sexual harassment, as well as many other significant settlements for claims including gender harassment, age discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation.

In law school, Stocker worked full-time for two years as a Rule 9 licensed attorney in the employment litigation practice at the Spokane firm of Paine Hamblen. She served as legal clerk to Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and later, at the Seattle firm Carney Badley Spellman, focused on employment law and litigation. She has been recognized for excellence in her law practice as well as for her community service. Stocker is a member of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Women’s Group, Junior League of Olympia, and Women United of Thurston County.

Stocker has received multiple professional awards and honors such as the National Trial Layers Top 100 Plaintiff Attorneys in the United States, Avvo Client’s Choice Award, the AILC 10 Best Labor & Employment Attorneys in WA State, Puget Sound Business Examiner 40 Under Forty, and Linden Cup appellate competition Best Legal Oralist, among others.