COMMERCIAL LAWYER
Law Offices of Robynne Thaxton Parkinson, PLLC
Founder, 2008
Groff Murphy, PLLC:
Of Counsel 2001 to Present
Partner 1998 to 2000
Associate, 1994 to 1997
Adjunct Professor, 2002 to 2005
XO Communications, Inc. (Formerly Nextlink)
Director of Contract Administration 2000 to 2001
Perkins Coie:
Associate, 1989 to 1994 (Anchorage and Seattle Offices)
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
q Reviewed, drafted and negotiated numerous construction contracts for owners and general contractors, including design build and teaming agreements.
q Contract Administration of XO Communications construction program, including management of $200 million master design build construction agreement. Advised XO on numerous contract and construction related issues, including development of contract administration processes, drafting and negotiating numerous contracts, and resolution of disputes with contractors.
q Represented numerous employers in defending handicap, race, age, and sex discrimination and harassment claims before the EEOC, the WSHRC and in mediation and litigation.
q Established "dual gate" procedures at multiple locations and successfully avoided disputes with Union labor counsel regarding use of non-union subcontractors.
q Successfully represented employers in enforcing covenants not to compete with employees.
q Reviewed numerous employment handbooks and policies, including compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act, Federal and State Wage and Hour laws, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
q Advised numerous employers on employee discharge and discipline procedures and decisions.
q Advised numerous employers on compliance with the National Labor Relations Act, including the establishment of “double breasting” operations, compliance with voting procedures, and avoidance of unfair labor practices complaints and conducted negotiations with labor unions.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of Colorado School of Law, 1989
President, Class of 1989
Co-Founder, Teaching Excellence Committee
B.A.,
Who’s Who Among Students in
Texas Union Board of Directors
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Washington State Bar Association
Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
Member, Construction Law Sectio
American Bar Association
Member, Labor and Employment Law Section
Member, Forum on the Construction Industry
King County Bar Association
Member, Labor and Employment Law Section
Design Build Institute of America
Secretary Northwest Region Executive Committee,
2006-2008
National speaker for Contracts and Risk
Management Course
Designated Design Build Professional
2007, 2008 National Conference Planning Committee
Contract Revision Task Force
Northwest Women's'
Member, Board of Directors, Executive Committee
1996-2000
Chair, 1997 and 1998 Leadership Breakfast
Chair, 2000 and 2002 Gala Dinner
AGC Construction Industry H.R. Forum
Association of Women Attorneys with Real Experience (“AWARE”)
President, 2006
Washington State Bar
Federal Court, Western District of Washington
Federal Court, Eastern District of Washington
Federal Court, Alaska
Court of Federal Claims
Alaska State Bar (Inactive)
PUBLICATIONS AND SEMINARS
“Design-Build Contract and Risk Management” Design Build Institute of America, 2006-present, multiple locations across the country
"Limitations of Liability: Do they Really Work?" Design Build Dateline, June 2006
“Building a Foundation for Managing Complex Construction Law Issues in
“DBIA Holds Forum on Risk Allocation,” Design Build Dateline, December 2005
“Legal Aspects of Building Information Modeling Systems,” Design Build Institute of America Northwest Chapter, American Institute of Architects, December 2005, Design Build Magazine, February 2006
“Update on
“There is no ‘I’ in Team, but there is a ‘U’ in Lawsuit; Enforceability Issues in Teaming Agreements,” Design Build Dateline, June 2005
“Analyzing, Pursuing and Resolving Construction Claims in
“Successful Design-Build Delivery” Design Build
“Retaliation In the Workplace” Labor and Employment Law Seminar, The Seminar Group, August 2003, August 2004
“Successful Design – Build Project Delivery,” Design Build Institute of
“Construction Law Section Midyear Meeting”, Washington State Bar Association, June 2003
“Employment Discrimination and Harassment” Approach Management Services March 2003, August 2003, September 2003, February 2004, March 2004, May 2004
“Construction Claims,” The Seminar Group, September 2002
“Construction Issues in
“Public Procurement Private Construction Law Section Mid-Year” Washington State Bar Association, May 2000
"AIA A201 Documents for the New Millennium" Associated General Contractors Seminar, March 1998, October 1999
"Hiring, Discipline and Discharge Decisions" Associated General Contractors Seminar, November 1996, May 1998
“Employee Evaluations” Associated General Contractors Seminar, April 1999
“Employment Manuals, Doing it Right” Law Seminars International, August 1998, August 1999, August 2000
“Construction Law, Avoiding the Mistakes” Loren Business Seminars, February 1999
“Recent Employment And Labor Law Issues Affecting The Construction Industry,” WSBA Public Procurement and Private Construction Law Section Mid-year, April 1999
Editor, Perkins Coie School District Construction Newsletter, 1992-1993
“The New
“New Issues in Public Procurement” WASBO Conference, 1992.
“New Issues in
