McHugh Law, PLLC

07/21/2025

Pregnancy should never cost you your job. Yet many employees in Washington still face unfair treatment, demotions, or even wrongful termination during or after pregnancy leave. Employers may disguise it as “performance issues” or “restructuring,” but pregnancy discrimination is illegal.

In our latest blog, Colin McHugh, our employment lawyer in Vancouver, WA, explains how Washington laws protect pregnant workers, the most common ways employers violate those protections, and what steps you can take if it happens to you.

If you’re pregnant or recently returned from leave, knowing your rights is the first step to protecting your career.
Read the full blog today and learn more!

Pregnancy discrimination is illegal in Washington. Learn your rights under WLAD, HSA, and PFMLA, and find out what steps to take if you’re wrongfully terminated for being pregnant or taking parental leave.

07/11/2025

Have you ever stayed silent about harassment at work because you weren’t sure what would happen if you spoke up?

You’re not alone.

Many employees in Washington and Oregon hesitate to report s*xual harassment because they’re afraid of retaliation, not being believed, or damaging their careers. These fears are valid but you have rights, and you deserve support.

At McHugh Law, PLLC, we work with individuals facing these exact challenges. In our latest blog, we break down:

• The 5 most common fears about reporting harassment
• What retaliation can actually look like
• Practical, legal steps to protect yourself
• How to start building a strong, believable case—even if you're not ready to take action yet

If you’re navigating a difficult workplace situation, we want you to know: you have options and support is available.

📍 Based in Vancouver, WA
🌐 Serving clients throughout Washington and Oregon
📞 Reach out for a confidential and complimentary consultation

Facing workplace harassment in Vancouver, WA? Learn how to protect your job, rights, and mental health when reporting s*xual harassment. Complimentary consult available.

05/14/2025

Major Legal Victory at the 9th Circuit - We are in the news!

After seven years of litigation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has once again ruled in favor of our client, Robert Thomas, in his retaliation case against CalPortland Co.

On May 7, 2025, the Ninth Circuit vacated the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission’s dismissal of Mr. Thomas’ claim. The Court of Appeals concluded that the Commission did not follow the law to review the case for "substantial evidence" and instead substituted its facts for the facts that were found by the judge in the lower court, leading to its erroneous decision.

This is the second time the Ninth Circuit has overturned the Commission’s dismissal in this case. We are proud to stand with Mr. Thomas and continue advocating for workers who raise safety concerns in the workplace.

A former dredge operator who claimed CalPortland Co. retaliated against him won his bid to reverse the dismissal of his claim by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

03/14/2025

We are in the news!

A former daycare worker has taken legal action against Dash Education LLC, which operates Kiddie Academy of Vancouver-Fishers Landing, alleging racial and disability discrimination. Represented by Vancouver employment attorney Colin F. McHugh, the plaintiff claims they were disciplined and ultimately terminated after disclosing their autism spectrum disorder and requesting workplace accommodations. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County Superior Court, also asserts that the former employee, who is Black, was also terminated after reporting that she was being treated differently based on her race. McHugh argues that his client was unjustly penalized for advocating for workplace rights, underscoring the need for stronger protections for neurodivergent employees.

A Vancouver woman is suing her former employer after she was fired from a local Kiddie Academy center, alleging racial and disability discrimination and retaliation.

03/13/2025

We are in the news!

Colin F. McHugh, a Vancouver employment law attorney, is representing a former Columbia Credit Union employee in a wrongful termination lawsuit against CCU. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County Superior Court, claims the employee was fired after seeking regulatory guidance from the Washington State Division of Credit Unions regarding income consideration rules for loan applicants. The plaintiff asserts that the termination was retaliatory, stemming from efforts to ensure compliance with lending regulations. Mr. McHugh emphasizes that employees who advocate for legal compliance should be protected from unfair dismissal, ensuring workplaces remain accountable and transparent.

A Washington man who worked as a loan originator for Columbia Credit Union is suing his former employer, alleging he was fired after he contacted a state regulator for clarification about lending rule

08/16/2024

We're in the News!

Colin F. McHugh, an employment attorney based in Vancouver, Washington, is representing Claudia Iniguez-Diarte in a lawsuit against Casa Colima, a Mexican restaurant chain. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County Superior Court, claims Iniguez-Diarte, who worked as an assistant manager, was let go under false pretenses after disclosing her pregnancy. McHugh argues that the restaurant’s shifting reasons for her termination are a cover-up for pregnancy discrimination, violating laws that protect pregnant employees.

https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/aug/13/vancouver-woman-alleges-restaurant-fired-her-because-she-was-pregnant/

08/10/2024

Have you heard about the latest EEOC guidelines? They’re a game-changer for protecting LGBTQIA+ employees at work. Our new blog breaks down what these changes mean and how they came about after the landmark Bostock v. Clayton County case. We cover everything from dealing with offensive language and misgendering to ensuring fair bathroom access and addressing physical assaults.

Want to know more about how these new rules can impact you and your workplace? Click the link to get all the details and see what’s new in the fight against workplace discrimination.

Discover the new EEOC guidance on workplace harassment laws for s*xual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Learn more today!

05/21/2024

We are in the news!

Vancouver employment law attorney Colin F. McHugh is representing four former female employees of a Vancouver chiropractic clinic in a lawsuit against their former employer and an Arizona-based consultant. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County Superior Court, alleges s*xual harassment and s*x discrimination by ATLASRHINO INC., owned by Troy Dreiling, and Fred Schofield of Mo Chih Chu Chiropractic Training, Inc.

The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of inappropriate conduct, including comments on weight and the use of a riding crop. Mr. McHugh emphasizes the emotional distress and humiliation suffered by his clients, aiming to bring justice and safer workplace standards.

McHugh Law is proud to be featured in The Columbian for our commitment to workplace equality.

Four female former employees of a Vancouver chiropractic clinic are suing their former employer and an Arizona-based chiropractic consultant for alleged s*xual harassment and s*x discrimination. They

03/11/2024

Did you know that non-compete agreements must be supported by adequate consideration? In 2019, Washington State introduced RCW 49.62, shaping the landscape of non-compete enforceability. Discover the key factors affecting enforceability: notice requirements, wage thresholds, time restrictions, and more! Read this blog to learn more about non-competes in Washington!

At Mchugh Law, we are experienced in reviewing employment contracts for protection and assessing existing non-competes for smoother career transitions or new ventures. Understand your obligations before making impactful career moves. Ready to connect? Call us today!

Are you wondering if your non-compete agreement is enforceable in Washington state? Read this blog prepared by our employment attorney in Vancouver, Washington.

03/09/2024

Discover the legal secrets behind recording harassers in action in our latest blog! From high-profile cases to Washington State's "two-party consent" law, we unravel the legal complexities when defining "private" conversations, consent nuances, and the game-changing exception for threats.

Before hitting record, arm yourself with knowledge! Click the link below to read this blog. Ready to take on workplace concerns? Get in touch with our office today.

Can you record the harasser at work in Washington state? Read this blog prepared by our employment attorney in Vancouver, Washington.

03/06/2024

We are in the news!

With the assistance of our Vancouver employment law attorney Colin F. McHugh, a Cowlitz County Public Utility District (PUD) employee is pursuing legal action against the PUD and ABM Industry Groups, LLC (ABM) for negligence, alleging they risked the safety of their employees. Mr. McHugh supports his client’s claim by emphasizing the emotional distress suffered by his client and negligence by the PUD for not checking the background of the janitor at hire, and not terminating him once it became aware of his previous convictions. The legal effort aims to hold the PUD and ABM accountable for the negligent oversight that led to the unauthorized recordings of his client.

Read the article below:

The janitor was later convicted of secretly recording videos and images of the employee from under her desk.

03/04/2024

Our employment law attorney often gets asked what “counts” as s*xual harassment in the workplace.

As a s*xual harassment attorney and a frequent litigator of s*xual harassment cases in Washington and Oregon, Colin Mchugh is constantly learning about new behaviors that qualify as s*xual harassment, because harassers are always coming up with new ways to gain power over their victims.

In this detailed blog, our attorney explains what s*xual harassment is generally, and detailed examples, sometimes along with other evidence, were presented to courts and determined to be evidence of s*xual harassment.

Click to read the full blog post!

Do you experience s*xual harassment in the workplace? Read this detailed blog prepared by our employment attorney in Vancouver, Washington.