Sheryl Willert (she/her)
By Lydia Gesese (she/her)
Sheryl J. Willert is a Pacific Northwest lawyer who has made a name for herself as she has provided contributions to corporate law and employment law that have impacted the face of law we see here in Washington today. Willert is the managing director at Williams Kastner, which is a well-known law firm in the Washington and Oregon area. Her focus is on helping firms navigate complex legal issues, where it is fair, and making sure that the growth of diversity in the workplace is constantly growing in number, but also continues evolving.
Most of Willert’s experience is in how to protect a business’s most valuable assets, which could mean confidential information and/or trade secrets. She understands that today, it doesn’t matter if you have good ideas if you aren’t protecting them, because you also need to make sure no one else steals or copies those ideas, as this problem continues to grow in the age of AI. Sheryl J. Willert suggests that businesses should have clear policies in place, they should educate employees carefully, use tools like confidentiality agreements that can be applied, and implement monitoring systems for more secure access. Pressing that this should be a standard. These measures are not only issues about being obedient to the law, but they are also policies for protecting the future of a business.
Sheryl also understands how important diversity is in the legal and business worlds. After the 2003 Supreme Court decision in Grutter v. Bollinger, which supported diversity being incorporated in colleges and universities, she commented on how this decision has implications that reach far beyond these campuses, like topics discussed in class, as it is important to speak out, because it can reach far beyond borders. Willert mentioned that these days, companies are really being pushed to have a lot more diversity in their teams. And she wants to specify that it is not for the aesthetic of having a DEI hire so your corporation can “look diverse”; rather, it’s about better connecting with and serving their customers and the greater community, as it should reflect the individuals in the society. She believes diversity is a must and cannot be overlooked, as it is an imperative method of enhancing advocacy and the justice system
Her influence has gone beyond the borders of the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, Sheryl J. Willert participated in the American Bar Association’s review of Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Through the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, she pointed out Kagan’s labor and employment experience, demonstrating that her skillset and mind sit at a national level type of expertise that extends past Washington courts.
Sheryl J. Willert has maintained this analytical mind throughout her whole career in law and probably in life, and with it, she is committed to representing businesses and advocating for fairness. She has a way of seeing perspective that needs to be represented in law. She is a trusted and dependable lawyer here in the PNW, helping her clients navigate difficult areas of the law while advocating for diversity and the advancement of workers’ rights. Willert’s practice believes it is imperative to have legal protections in place, but it’s equally important to make sure all perspectives are considered. A balanced society depends on both laws that protect individuals and communities, and this starts by listening, especially to those who might not always be heard. It can help those recognize that a healthy, thriving community isn’t just about rules but also about honest conversations and understanding different POVs. That combination helps make a way for everyone to feel included, which is what will hopefully keep society moving forward in a positive trend.
