Jan. 3 — New law firm in Sumner offers help in the workplace

The Stephens Law Firm recently relocated to Sumner and provides legal help to employers and employees with discrimination and sexual harassment issues

Roxanne Cooke / of the Herald

Rod Stephens chose the right time to move his Kent law firm to Sumner.

When his lease was up for renewal, he happened to hear that office space was available in Sumner, closer to his home in Bonney Lake.

And when he approached his employees about it, things just fit together. One employee didn’t mind the suggested change because it was the same amount of drive time in either location. Another employee wasn’t so lucky, but Stephens set her up for telecommuting instead.

Then he did some research and realized most of his clients were moving or already had moved south anyway. Most even endorsed his idea of relocating to Sumner.

“I basically had the perfect storm happen,” said Stephens, who has practiced law for 22 years. “It’s been the best thing I think I’ve ever done.”

Stephens is happier not having to commute north every day. The office space is nice and the other people who work there have been incredibly friendly. And he adores his new community.

“I absolutely love it,” he said.

Stephens graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1984, then moved to Auburn with his wife. Soon he began practicing law in Renton.

In 1992, he moved to Bonney Lake, and in 1995, he chose to focus his career on workplace-related claims and opened his own firm in Kent.

His interest in employment law was sparked when he worked on a case involving an attempted workplace rape. He discovered that employment law was fascinating, and he felt good about helping both employees and employers deal with discrimination and sexual harassment suits.

Helping clients to the point where they don’t need a lawyer is his goal, Stephens said. He also updates a blog about employment law as a helpful tool to people who may not have the time to call a lawyer directly. He’s working on starting another blog that focuses on injury and insurance issues.

Moving south hasn’t really affected his clientele base, Stephens said. It’s just as busy.

“We haven’t really noticed the change,” he said.

Stephens’ hope for the future is to become part of the Puyallup and Sumner business community and continue to help educate his clients.

Stephens moved his practice to Sumner in late October.