Brian Padgett

Managing Attorney

Brian Padgett is the owner of Employer Solutions Law. His practice is primarily focused on workplace safety and fighting DOSH/WISHA violations, workers’ compensation advocacy, employment law, and appearing before the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. Before joining Employer Solutions Law, Brian gained valuable knowledge of how the Claimant’s side of workers’ compensation operates when he worked for a Washington State plaintiff’s firm where he handled workers’ compensation and disability cases. He also worked for a national disability advocacy firm based out of New York City.

Brian received his Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) in New York City. He has his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Oregon University. Prior to attending law school, Brian was an accomplished stage actor, performing in productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, New York City, and New England regional theatres.

Brian lives in Maple Valley with his wife and dog Ziggy where he enjoys spending time with his friends and family – especially outdoors when the sun is shining!


Karen Forner

Attorney

Since 1993, Karen Galipeau Forner has been working on Labor and Industries issues and employment law matters. Karen’s early background includes working at the Attorney General’s Office in the Labor and Industries Division.  At the AG’s office Karen got an inside look at construction companies and safety practices, or lack thereof. After working as a Senior Attorney at a private law firm assisting employers with Labor and Industries cases, in 2009 Karen founded K-Solutions Law – now Employer Solutions Law – in Bellevue, Washington.   The firm grew to 10 employees aiding and advising employers statewide on matters of workers’ compensation, workplace safety (WISHA/DOSH/OSHA), wage and hour, prevailing wage, and employment law issues.  

Karen cares about her clients and finds great satisfaction in working with employers in becoming safer companies to save money and lives.  Her goal is to ensure clients’ needs are met by taking a proactive and strategic approach to problems, keeping clients and the team informed, and handling cases in a manner that gives clients peace of mind so that they can focus on their core businesses.  All the while, Karen has also become an industry-wide speaker and is often called upon to do training presentations across the state and nation. 


Chip Goss

Attorney

Chip has been practicing in the courtroom for over thirty years. His extensive experience includes high stakes franchise, banking and investor disputes, construction defects, real property claims, intellectual property, employment, personal injury and civil rights cases. 

Chip earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Puget Sound School of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science from the University of Washington. Chip has been an attorney volunteer for the Neighborhood Clinic program of the King County Bar Association, and presently is an officer and board member of the West Seattle Soccer Club, a musician and a podcast host.


Alicia McDonnell

Attorney

Alicia McDonnell joined Employer Solutions Law in June 2022 as an Associate Attorney. She represents employers in workers’ compensation claims and appeals, DOSH/WISHA violations, and employment law matters. Prior to joining Employer Solutions Law, Alicia represented claimants in workers’ compensation claims before the Department of Labor and Industries,  Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, and Superior Courts. This experience gives her valuable insight into workers’ compensation claims and litigation that helps her better serve Washington employers.

Alicia received her Juris Doctorate from University of Washington School of Law. While in law school, Alicia served as the articles editor for the Washington Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. She also served as the finance chair for the school’s Labor and Employment Law student organization.

A Seattle native, Alicia enjoys spending time outdoors with her fiancé and two children. In her spare time, you can find Alicia and her family boating, paddle boarding, and exploring local parks and beaches.


Weston Augustyniak

Attorney

Weston Augustyniak joined Employer Solutions Law January of 2024 as an Associate Attorney. Weston received his B.S. in Political Science: Law and Society and Liberal Arts from Purdue University. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.


Randy Wolfe

Legal Operations Manager

Prior to coming to Employer Solutions Law Randy worked at Fatigue Technologies Inc. as a Contracts Manager doing Intellectual property law. Randy helped negotiate non-Disclosure and other agreements as well as complex contracts. He has over 15 years of experience in both managing multiple teams within law firms and helping disability claimants understand possible benefits and receive the benefits they need.

Randy is known as an even-tempered leader who builds effective teams by utilizing people’s strengths, who is enthusiastic about leading people, who inspires others, and who drives impact and ultimately success.