Stephen Sennett

Senior Attorney & Principal

Boise, ID

Background

Raised in Farmington, CT, Stephen E. Sennett is an accomplished Principal and Senior Attorney focusing on employment law matters, business law, civil litigation, and real estate. Stephen enjoys working closely with his clients and learning about their specific business operations and needs to ensure legal compliance with the applicable (and regularly changing) federal, state, and local employment laws. 

He takes a client-centered and proactive approach with the goal of eliminating issues before they arise. This includes drafting employee handbooks and policies, conducting employee training and investigations, and keeping clients informed on changes in the laws that affect their business. Should an issue come up – such as a harassment or discrimination allegation, agency complaint and investigation, wage and hour issues, etc. – he guides his clients through the resolution process and also defends employers against alleged employment law violations (EEOC/local agency complaints, OSHA/state agency investigations, State and Federal law claims, etc.). 

Getting to know clients and their goals is rewarding to Stephen and helps him to be a better attorney. He gets satisfaction from guiding clients through the legal process, explaining the rules, requirements, and options available, and working to find the best resolution. If a matter has to be litigated, he takes pride in providing a strong but reasonable approach to ensure the client’s rights are enforced.

Stephen uses his experience as a trial attorney to assist employers at the outset and avoid any potential issues before they arise. In terms of his proudest professional accomplishment, Stephen has been fortunate to work with amazing clients – both large and small – from startups to Fortune 500 companies. He has worked on cases at all levels of the state and federal court systems, including up to the Washington State Supreme Court. 

Outside of the office, Stephen enjoys upland hunting with his Pudelpointer (out of Cedarwood Kennel in Boise, Idaho), fly fishing, and golfing. He also volunteers with sporting and conservation groups (Quail Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, etc.) and provides pro bono legal services.

  • Business: Construction Law & Real Estate Development
  • Business: Contract Law
  • Business: Employment, Labor, Benefits
  • Business: Entity Formation/Dissolution
  • Business: General Counsel
  • Business: Non-Profit
  • Business: Partnership
  • Business: Trade Secrets
  • Business: Transactional Real Estate
  • Litigation: Business Dispute
  • Litigation: Construction
  • Litigation: Employment Issue
  • Litigation: Employment Issue (Employers Only)
  • Litigation: Insurance Issue
  • Litigation: Landlord/Tenant
  • Litigation: Real Estate/Property
  • Litigation: Trade Secrets Litigation
  • B.S., Marketing, Minor in Jazz Performance, Fairfield University
  • J.D., magna cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law
  • Washington State Bar Association, 2013
  • Idaho State Bar Association, 2022
  • Employment Law Update, Human Resource Network of Northern Idaho, 2014
  • Advanced Employment Law: Recent Developments in State & Federal Law, NBI
  • HR Law from Start to Finish: Other Employment Laws You Need to Know, NBI
  • HR Law from Start to Finish: Employee Handbooks and Policies in the 21st Century, NBI
  • Employment Law: Rights, Benefits, and Emerging Issues; Workplace Challenges of Privacy, Social Media, and Technology Issues, Sterling Education Services
  • HR Legal Compliance: Advanced Practice: Handbook Complexities: Updating Policies to Mitigate Legal Liabilities, NBI
  • HR Legal Compliance: Advanced Practice: FLSA and Wage and Hour Laws: Ensuring HR Practices Comply with Major Changes, NBI
  • Military Law CLE: the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, Spokane County Bar Association
  • Employment Law: 2017 Comprehensive Guide: Avoiding Wage and Hour Violations, NBI
  • Employment Law: 2017 Comprehensive Guide: FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation: Managing Leave of Absence Issues, NBI

Client communication and a reasonable approach are the keys to success. I ensure my clients know the overall situation, anticipated timelines, costs, potential hurdles, etc. I empower my clients to make the necessary business decisions, which requires knowing all necessary and relevant factors.