Jared Van Kirk

Overview

Clients work with Jared to negotiate quality labor agreements, effectively manage the labor relationship and resolve disputes and to achieve productive relationships with union-represented workforces. Jared also provides his clients with practical advice on complying with the intricate and overlapping network of federal, state and local employment laws.

Jared provides counsel to public and private employers, with a special emphasis on health care and senior living. He understands that employers want to manage employees and comply with labor and employment laws in a way that is consistent with their goals and operational needs, and they want to work to reduce their risk of liability. He applies these principles every day when negotiating labor agreements, addressing disputes and providing advice on a wide variety of complex laws and regulations from labor relations, anti-discrimination and harassment, to navigating the network of laws regulating employee leave, accommodation of disabilities and drug use and drug testing in the workplace.

Jared received his law degree from Harvard Law School and was a clerk for The Honorable Jerome Farris of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Prior to practicing law, Jared received his degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and engaged in genetic research concerning human evolution and complex diseases.

Community Activities

• Seattle Children’s Theatre, Board of Trustees, 2018-present
  • Board Operations Committee, 2020-2023

Experience

• Complex labor negotiations for large public hospital
  • Led third cycle of complex, multi-contract labor negotiations for a large public hospital to simultaneously bargain eight successor contracts with three unions. Successfully navigated through eight months of contentious negotiations, aggressive organizing and media campaign and state mediation to secure significant client priorities in a difficult negotiating environment.
  • First contract labor negotiations for regional private hospital
    • Led first contract negotiations independent regional hospital to determine terms and conditions of work for broad unit of service, maintenance, technical and professional employees. Successfully negotiated favorable core management priorities and complex compensation system within narrow budget parameters.
  • Third cycle negotiations for senior living community
    • Returned for third cycle of negotiations for large, urban senior living community. Successfully managed limited budgetary flexibility while prioritizing labor management relationships.
  • Labor negotiations for two affiliated hospitals
    • Represented two affiliated hospitals in simultaneous negotiations with two unions for three separate bargaining units under difficult and contentious conditions, resulting in a favorable outcome for the client. Successfully navigated negotiations lasting a full year, through federal mediation and a joint picketing action. Spearheaded complex compensation proposals involving the establishment of wage scales for over 60 positions.
  • Wage and hour arbitration for independent regional hospital
    • Represented large regional hospital in a significant wage and hour arbitration primarily related to meal and rest breaks. Successful arbitration decision adopting employer position and avoiding compensatory liability.
  • Premium compensation arbitration for hospital system
    • Represented large urban hospital system defending claims that additional COVID-19 pandemic-era premium compensation was due to hundreds of employees. Assisted client in achieving successful settlement of certain complex claims and winning favorable arbitration decision on most substantial remaining claim.

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