Diego is an accomplished attorney and passionate advocate for individuals who suffered harm in the areas of product liability, serious personal injury, employment law, and sexual assault and harassment. He serves his clients with compassion and a commitment to hold wrongdoers accountable.
Diego began his legal career as a champion for workers’ rights. After graduating cum laude from Seattle University School of Law, he was awarded the Leadership for Justice fellowship to work for the National Employment Law Project, where he advocated for marginalized employees through community organizing, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation. He also worked at a non-profit, representing primarily low-wage, immigrant workers in individual and class action wage and hour cases.
Prior to entering private practice, Diego honed his legal skills as a law clerk to Justice Debra L. Stephens in the Washington State Supreme Court, where he gained invaluable insight into the judicial process. Following his clerkship, Diego successfully represented individuals in cases of personal injury, employment, sexual misconduct, and appeals, recovering millions of dollars for his clients.
Diego’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond the courtroom. He is actively involved with the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), Washington Employment Lawyers Association, and the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, where he volunteers his time providing legal advice at community clinics. He is a WSAJ Justice for All PAC board member, a co-chair of WSAJ’s Employment Law Section, and a co-editor of WSAJ’s 2022 Employment Law Deskbook.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Diego is a native Spanish speaker. He also speaks Japanese and Portuguese, having lived in Japan and Portugal. Diego’s international upbringing and language skills allow him to navigate various cultural contexts with ease. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and camping with his wife and three kids, living a vegan lifestyle, and playing one of his many instruments.
- $2.875 million for two employees who were sexually assaulted by a former superior court judge
- $1.5 million paid by the State of Washington Department of Corrections for two employees who were sexually harassed by several co-workers
- $1.4 million for two former union employees who were sexually harassed by their manager
- $1 million for two employees with sexual harassment and retaliation claims
- $375,000 paid by Pacific County for wrongful termination
- $30,000 paid by the State of Washington Department of Corrections for violations of public records laws
- Confidential settlement with business premises/contractor for woman sexually assaulted by a third party
- Millions of dollars in confidential settlements for clients who have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated, retaliated, and/or sexually harassed or assaulted at work.
- Dozens of settlements for back wages for low-wage workers
Education
Seattle University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
University of Washington, B.A.
Admissions
Washington State
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
Civic Engagement
- Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ
- Eagle Member
- Co-Editor of the WSAJ Employment Law Deskbook
- Co-Chair of WSAJ’s Employment Law Section
- WSAJ, Justice for All PAC, Board Member
- Washington Leadership Institute, 2019 Graduate
- American Association for Justice, Member
- Federal Bar Association of Western District of Washington, Member
- Latino/a Bar Association of Washington, Member, former Board Member
- King County Bar Association, Member
Professional Recognition
- Selected to Washington Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® (2019-2024)
- Awarded the Public Service & Leadership Award by the Washington State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee (2021)
Select Publications and Presentations
- “Discovery Potpourri: Using Less Common Discovery Tools,” speaker, Winter Webinar, Washington State Association for Justice (2023)
- “Claims, Blames, and Responsibilities in Workplace Sexual Harassment: Exploring the Legal Frontier in the Post-Me Too Movement”, panelist, Annual CLE, Washington State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section (2023)
- “Employment Arbitration Provisions” Chapter, co-author, WSAJ Employment Law Deskbook (2022)
- “Navigating Parallel Proceedings: How to Walk the Tightrope”, speaker, Annual CLE, Washington Employment Lawyers Association (2022)
- “Employment Discrimination and Harassment” Chapter, co-author, Gender Justice Study, Washington Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission (2021)
- “Behind the Robes: Sexually Harassment in the Judiciary”, author, Trial News, Washington State Association for Justice (2020)
- “Winning Against the Arbitration Clause, Even in Arbitration”, speaker, Annual CLE, Washington Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section (2017)
- “Delivering $15: Community-Centered Wage and Hour Enforcement in Seattle”, co-author, National Employment Law Project (2014)