I did all the steps to get them to help with my unemployment case. They called one time and left a message and that is it. I spent the next 3 weeks trying to get a hold of anyone in the office to talk to and was never able to talk to anyone. I left a message just about everyday and not once did I get a response back. I really needed there help I had to do the hearing on my own and it went terrible, I'm sure I didnt win which is sad because it was an easy win I just buckle under that sort of pressure no I am sure I am going to lose everything house, car, etc... I suggest you not risk your life on these people. Clearly they do not care about people. read more

Run! Do not even consider for a second going to this agency for any "assistance", because of it is lower cost "services". Asking this agency for help in representing you will only make your situation worse than it was before you reached out to them. Because I turned to this low cost option, I am now fighting ( at a harder legal standard) for an assessment of almost 31k. They will describe their agency as, " the only non-profit in the US focused on providing unemployed workers with legal assistance specific to their unemployment claims". That is true. However, because the brand new lawyers who work here do so for little to no cost, they give you the minimum and dont spend the time needed researching, documenting and preparing your side of the case when fighting an employer. Things get really bad if you are one of the few who has to defend themselves from an employer represented by experienced employment council. The Unemployment Law Project has a great mission. However, in practice, they end up hurting more clients then they help. The shining star in this volunteer group was Erin, a paralegal who was considerate and professional to the extreme. read more

They contacted me shortly after I reached out. My employer of 17 years terminated me after I filed a complaint against my assistant manager when he made a statement about my age and abilities. HR didn't follow up or investigate and terminated me when the assistant manager claimed I lied. I filed for unemployment benefits and was denied after HR reported that I was terminated for being dishonest (which we proved to be a lie). I reached out to ULP and they contacted me and offered guidance to the process of an appeals. The attorney even made an appearance (telephone hearing) with me on my scheduled time. He allowed the judge to question me then he also made a statement to the judge in my behalf. We won the appeal and I couldn't be happier. Because they are a non profit organization, they did not bill me for the time, they just ask for a donation. This is unbelievable because where in the world will you even find this kind of help?? This was definitely a life changing event for me and I am forever grateful If you find yourself in that predicament then you should reach out to them. Do not let your former employer take everything you've earned and deserve because they will try. Make sure to leave a message if they don't answer the phone and follow up with an email. They will get back to you as soon as they can so be patient. Remember this is a charity not a profit earning business read more

I had a positive experience with ULP. My case was very complicated and it was easy for even me to get lost in the mess of it. The director John Tirpak represented me. He was optimistic and helped me to keep things simple. The whole process took two hearings, and I was supported the entire time. Even though there were several months of waiting in between, I felt good knowing that ULP was there to do what they could when it was time to fight my case a second time. Three years of pandemic unemployment mess and stress and I have finally found some relief. read more

I was assigned an amazing attorney named George Leach, he has since moved on to do other amazing things in the realm of civil rights and fighting for those that need it in the workplace. He did however help me through the majority of my claim and appeal with unemployment security dept. and was wonderful with communicating and very empathetic. I just got the overall feeling that he is a really nice person and wants to do good for the world in anyway possible. However when he made the decision to move on to a new firm I was reassigned to a different attorney, an attorney who did not listen to me or even wait for me to finish my sentence on why I was calling. She was very curt and dismissive, when I expressed my concern that she wasn't listening or hearing what I was saying our conversation escalated into me explaining to her that I felt her ethical obligation was not being met and I have a right to trust and understand my counsel knows my case, She was offended that I questioned her listening to me and that I felt she was dismissing me as she was not familiar with my case, I felt she just wanted to get me off the phone and I was just another file that got put on her desk that wasn't her file to start with. When I called and expressed my concerns/complaint to the Director John Tirpak he didn't even want to hear anything I said and he wouldn't answer my questions I had pertaining to my case (which could also be a breach of ethical obligation, if A client has a question an attorney should do their best to try to understand the question and answer it with their professional knowledge) John Tirpak informed me that he was canceling the relationship and assisting me in my claim.And then hung up the phone.I should also point out that I never once, raised my voice, threatened or used any expletives, not ever...as I feel that when someone is trying to complain doing any of those things automatically puts you on the outs of having your actual complaint being heard or resolved.I do this on any given situation in my life and it has served me well and is also a kinder way to go about life, you get more bees with honey so to speak.In my opInion John is an unethical cruel power-hungry man that doesn't care about anybody the organization serves and just wants to collect a paycheck.Just because an organization is a nonprofit doesn't mean that they don't have to have the same standards as every other lawyer/law firm, be aware of getting your hopes up with someone like John Tirpak at the helm of an organization. In my opinion You possibly may end up being just a number and possibly a cautionary tale of why one should not use the services of the unemployment law project. A positive note and important point: my claim was handled eventually from another party and I was paid out for my past weeks filed with ESD and all of the issues that I had on my claim were fixed even without the help of unemployment Law Project at the end. However George Leach is an amazing attorney and was a shining example of what I thought this organization was, I have email after email showing what great correspondence and communication he gave throughout our time on this matter, it wasn't until he left that I realized ULP is being run by a person that cares very little about the community that they serve.John Tirpak is cruel and did not serve my case for any positive measure. I should point out the president of the unemployment Law Project is a wonderful attorney though,Joe Schaefer is a fantastic Human and does so much good work in civil rights and fighting for the under dog, I know that he would never have allowed something like what occurred to me to happen if he was involved but John Tirpak is the director and gets to operate in any way he sees fit. And apparently the way he sees fit to run the organization is to disregard clients needs and questions and sever all ties when a concern is raised. Just know if you work with this organization this power-hungry man may sever ties if you raise a question of ethics affect your end result and not in the way you wish read more

Regardless of my Unemployment Hearing Outcome, I can tell you that The UPL (Unemployment Law Project) has been absolutely amazing for me. I had my packet sent over from the Office of Administrative Hearings the day that I got a hearing date and on the docket. Tirra is who I have been working with and she has been absolutely amazing! She is a law student, but knows her stuff! 100%. She is going to be an amazing attorney when she is done with school! They quickly did my intake appointment and then quickly took the case and notified me that they could represent me. I know that my hearing will go well and that I will win. Thank you, Unemployment Law Project for your awesome service thus far! I recommend contacting them if you need help! :) They are a bit slow at times responding to inquiries but that is because they are going through a lot when it comes to cases and they get a lot of cases at a time. However, the staff has been nice and friendly and has helped me as much as they can. They are a little understaffed, but overall they do do a great job if they are able to take your case, or so I hear. I look forward to my hearing and how they can help me with it. It has been a long battle with the State of Washington for me to get my unemployment benefits and ULP has been very helpful so far and I know they will be helpful with helping me to win my hearing. If you need assistance with your unemployment appeal or have other unemployment questions, I highly recommend them and I am sure they will be willing to help you, if not, then they will point you in the right direction! Thanks ULP for your awesomeness so far! :) read more

Attorney Andy Paroff is a genuine professional who deeply cares for his clients, and he consistently shows this care through his attentiveness and thoughtfulness, which have far exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Andy, for saving this chapter of our lives. I highly recommend the Unemployment Law Project if you ever need assistance with a case involving the Employment Security Department. read more

After heart surgery and job loss, I was finally able to be approved for unemployment benefits. To combat stress and physical woes, I worked at a yoga studio once a week -- I cleaned the studio for 90 minutes and in exchange I was given unlimited yoga for $30/month. Basically a work trade. The unemployment folks approved me to participate in their self employment program, I quit the yoga cleaning job to jump in with both feet, starting my business. And, shazam!, the unemployment people decided that the yoga job was a 'sham' job and demanded I repay them the four weeks of pay. It seemed like a ridic 'ruling' on the part of the state. Thankfully, though, the state recommended the Unemployment Law Project. Lordy! what a blessing. There were several issues at hand, and ULP attorney took the case, the state sent them my case file that very same afternoon. Same day service! Amaze-balls. The attorney was super competent, found five points to argue on my behalf (which were more fleshed out than my original 'because you people told me I could' leading statement, lol) and WE WON. Tremendous relief. Seriously, if fairy godmothers went to law school, this is where they'd end up. read more

They helped me when I didn't know where to turn. I highly recommend seeing them if you're like me and only filed for unemployment during the Pandemic and then suddenly found out you owed the government thousands of dollars. I could have just worked remotely. I didn't and mistakenly thought that's what insurance was for. Hopefully we don't have another Pandemic. If we do, I know now file for Unemployment as a last resort. Thankfully the Unemployment Law Project helped me win my case. It was unnecessary stress during what was an unexpected time. read more

I received outstanding assistance from the unemployment law group. They wrote a script to help navigate me through the hearing and advocated for me through the entire process. I highly recommend them to everyone. read more

Definitely would not recommend using these people. Completely wasted time and very CRUCIAL deadlines and information about the case was missed resulting in a case loss. We were stuck with some cocky law student at the last minute who did not properly provide the support and information needed to prep about the hearing. These people have cost us greatly. Called twice to get assistance and got basic information. Nothing of what I dug and found online. They are completely USELESS. Could've probably won and done without them. Go elsewhere and stay away! read more

I had a very straight forward case, I used the UPL for it considering it was pretty close to open and shit. The lawyer we were appointed dropped the ball twice and costed me 10k because he did not present any of the evidence I had given him. These are not professional lawyers and if you want to win your case I'd suggest you move on. read more

its been a long battle vs the wash state unemployment thats never ending. so i needed legal help and tried the the ul law project in seattle.thats been very helpful.i like to thank all the staff and volunteers that give their time to a great organization.the ul law project offers this free service for anyone who needs it.if you were wrongfully terminated or fighting garnishments etc the ul project will assist you. also thanks to lauren fogerty for her help . read more

They completely understood my case and they were in the process of changing the law for people taking care of her young kids. My daughter is 7 and my union job was taking that out on me and not giving me hours but blameing it on available and able. We explain all I can do around the store and the judge sided with us. Thanks for being there for a living single father in need!!! read more

It is with much disappointment that I write a 1-star review for ULP who represented me in my unemployment appeals case. My attorney was a student who went by the book and asserted a strategy of standardized law to litigate my appeal in a hearing. However, because the attorney relied solely on the the parameters of law, she forgot to account for the opportunities to cross examine and dig just below the surface of the employers testimony, and we lost the case, twice. I trusted them to have my best interest in mind and guide the case effectively, creatively, and with assertion, not rest on the laurels of the law (knowing justice is often served cold). Add to the decision the overall stress of navigating such a traumatic life event, and the whole process leaves me feeling deflated. While they are recommended by the state and their rates are unbeatable, I would suggest you find another reputable firm to take your case. It's worth the money and peace of mind for more experienced representation. read more