Joyce L. Thomas

Joyce's practice focuses primarily on representing physicians and other health care professionals in employment contract formation, contract negotiations and contract disputes, non-competition agreements, licensing, and regulatory and disciplinary matters relating to quality of care.      

With significant experience representing physicians (in what can be highly contentious matters), Joyce provides legal counseling and creative strategy development to address each client's unique situation.

Joyce also represents non-health care employees and executives in a variety of employment matters including discrimination, retaliation and disability accommodations. She also has extensive experience in appellate matters.

Prior to joining Frank Freed, Joyce practiced employment discrimination, civil rights and labor law for 18 years in New York City and then Seattle.

Client Comments about Joyce:

"I was shepherded toward Joyce Thomas through many attorneys in the Seattle area. I came to her after facing serious disability-related discrimination in my workplace. Joyce counseled me with tact and common sense. After I was fired due to my disability, Joyce pursued every angle to ensure that I received the best possible consideration for my situation. Should I ever end up in a similar situation, I would instantly call her, and you should do the same."

Web Developer

"I worked with Ms. Thomas through difficult employment related contract negotiations, and felt she provided excellent counsel. She made herself as available as possible, in person, by email, or by phone. She was able to provide informed guidance on the "big picture," and timely, targeted responses on individual points in contract negotiations. She allowed me as a client significant leeway as to whether I took the lead in negotiations, or she did, which was very useful for keeping costs contained. I felt she helped me attain the best agreement possible under the specific circumstances."

Physician

Education

J.D. – Golden Gate University School of Law      
B.A. – University of California, San Diego, (summa cum laude)

Bar Admissions

Washington; New York

Professional & Civic Involvement

Joyce frequently lectures on a variety of subjects before bar and professional groups. In 2001, she received the Community Legal Services Award from the King County Bar Association for her pro bono work on behalf of individuals infected with HIV. She was a co-author of the chapter on Non-Competition Agreements in the Employment Law Deskbook, published by the Washington State Association for Justice.

Joyce is a member and past Chair of the Washington State Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section. She is a member of the King County Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section, where she currently serves as Chair of the Section and as a Trustee. She also serves on the Planning Committee of the Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference. Joyce also is a member of the American Bar Association.

Joyce has been named a "Washington Super Lawyer", is recognized by Seattle Magazine as a "Top Lawyer in Labor and Employment Law" and in 2003, she was inducted into the Outstanding Lawyers of America.

• Quoted in the 9/4/15 edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal discussing non-compete agreements for physicians in Washington State
• Selected for publication in the 2015 Annual U.S. Directory of Super Lawyers – Business Edition – Employment Washington – Labor and Employment

Personal

When she is not practicing law, Joyce enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her family.