Elizabeth (Liz) Ford

Biography

Ms. Ford is admitted to practice in Washington State; U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Beginning in 2002, Ms. Ford has served as an Adjunct Professor teaching Dispute Resolution and Labor Law. In 2005, she joined the faculty as Visiting Legal Writing Professor, and in 2006, she continued as a Visiting Clinical Professor, establishing and teaching the law school's first Mediation Clinic. In addition to her course work, Ms. Ford serves frequently as a mediator and arbitrator primarily in labor and employment disputes. In 2005, Ms. Ford was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Marine Employees Commission where she assists the Washington State Ferries and its unions in resolving its disputes as a mediator or by sitting as hearing officer. She is also a permanent member of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Public Employment Relations Commission's panel of arbitrators. Prior to beginning her work at Seattle University, Ms. Ford practiced as a labor and employment attorney for 15 years, where her practice focused heavily on representing labor unions. Most recently, Ms. Ford served as the Labor Relations Manager for King County where she and her staff negotiated collective bargaining agreements covering 12,000 County employees. Ms. Ford provides frequent trainings and workshops in the area of dispute resolution and serves as a lecturer with the University of Washington.

In addition to her academic work and practice, Ms. Ford serves on a variety of committees and board including serving as a Past President of the Northwest Women's Law Center and Chairing the 2008 Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference's Labor Law Planning Committee.