Labor & Employment: Oregon

THE FIRM The Portland office of this regional firm comprises seven individuals who cover a number of employment issues, including law counseling, labor law representation and litigation of employment-related disputes. The team is widely noted for its commitment to clients, which come from a range of industry sectors and include Intel and Prodapt North America.

Sources say: "The quality of their work is exemplary and they are always there for us, even on short notice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Ryan heads the firm's employment group and is noted by clients for being "prompt and responsive." Lisa Umscheid is praised for her knowledge in labor law and employment litigation, and offers "practical advice which is geared to her client's business."

THE FIRM Barran Liebman remains a market-leading, go-to labor and employment firm in Portland, and covers the full scope of employment issues, including employment advice, litigation, labor relations and employee benefits.

Sources say: "Customer-focused, prompt and both flexible and profoundly generous in its billing."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paula Barran is praised by sources for being "knowledgeable, responsive, thorough and generally ‘spot on’ in her legal advice." Edwin Harnden is regarded by clients as "a smart, excellent litigator and a great asset to us as the client." Richard Liebman has been practicing in the employment law and litigation sector for almost 30 years and is noted by peers for being "brilliant, funny and fair-minded." "Solid industrial relations/collective bargaining lawyer" 

THE FIRM Black Helterline is one of the region's longest standing firms and a clear market leader, offering clients a comprehensive labor and employment service covering compliance, wage and hour, discrimination and employee benefits issues. The firm also has a strong immigration group, which comprises five immigration experts who offer both counseling and litigation services to businesses, individuals, government entities and nonprofit organizations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Hribernick is deemed by peers to be "one of the most respected employment lawyers in Oregon, with a proven track record of success in immigration law." Peers describe Jennifer Morrissey as "a rising star in immigration law" who handles work relating to intra-company transfers of key executives, managerial and specialist personnel, as well as H visas for temporary professionals. Robert Donaldson assists individuals and corporations in obtaining nonimmigrant visas, and processes labor certifications and employment-based immigrant visas. David Newhall handles immigrant visa applications, family-based immigration, naturalization cases and asylum claims.

THE FIRM Established in 2008, this boutique firm climbs the rankings after a particularly strong year. The eight-strong team has a broad labor practice that covers employment litigation and counseling to a mix of large and small companies and individuals. The team recently represented L'Oréal in employment litigation matters, and continues to provide the company with employment law counseling; other longstanding clients include Nike and Northwest Natural Gas Company.

Sources say: "We can rely on their solid legal advice while keeping a realistic business perspective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Buchanan has over 20 years' experience in the employment sector and is praised by clients as a "responsive, practical, efficient and strategic lawyer." Courtney Angeli is both an employment law litigator and counselor, and is well regarded by clients for being "articulate, to the point and an overall excellent communicator." Described as "the go-to individual for wage and hour and leave laws," Dan Grinfas has a wide employment law focus and impresses with his extensive knowledge. Andrew Altschul concentrates on employment issues and collective bargaining representation.

THE FIRM This is the largest employment law specialist firm in the Pacific Northwest, comprising 27 lawyers who concentrate on labor, employment, employee benefits and litigation matters. The team handles matters for clients from a range of industry sectors, both public and private, and has recently successfully negotiated labor contracts for Washington County, Legacy Healthcare System and Clatsop County, as well as handling all of the employment work, litigation and employee benefits work for Salem Health and Samaritan Health Care Systems.

Sources say: "It remains one of the most respected employment law firms in Portland. It has earned its reputation through superior commitment to its clients, legal expertise that is unsurpassed and continuous hard work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kenneth Jernstedt has over 30 years' experience focusing on collective bargaining, personnel administration, labor contract administration and union-organizing campaigns. Employment litigator David Wilson "not only offers the best legal expertise but demonstrates he is an individual with professional integrity on the highest level." Richard Alli's areas of practice include private and public sector collective bargaining, labor and employment law planning, and strategy and personnel administration. Jacqueline Damm "is extremely well respected in the community and by her clients" for her work in collective bargaining negotiations, NLRB proceedings, Employment Relations Board proceedings, and labor arbitrations. Maryann Yelnosky specializes in litigation defense, including discrimination, employee management, employee training and medical malpractice. Francis Barnwell "definitely represents the gold standard when it comes to client service" and has a strong practice in the areas of employment, litigation, arbitration and mediation. According to sources, Kathryn Hindman's “responsiveness and client dedication make her an invaluable asset. She is a highly regarded and sought-after expert in the areas of family medical leave, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour law and discrimination.” Thomas Kramer leads the firm's employee benefits group. He represents employers, insurance and banking institutions and service providers across the full range of matters. His practice also covers tax-qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

THE FIRM Although known for its expertise in the business and litigation area, this firm has a strong labor and employment team that provides counsel on a range of issues, including wage and hour claims, sexual harassment and discrimination issues, labor union negotiations and compliance issues. It also handles employment litigation for public and private employers both regionally and nationally.

Sources say "A very well-respected firm in Portland that provides high-quality, value-for-money service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Pamela Salgado is a key contact within the practice and advises and acts on behalf of employers and high level executives.

THE FIRM The Portland branch of this national firm serves local and national clients on a range of matters, including wage and hour claims, contract issues, discrimination and litigation-related disputes. In the past year the team has settled class action wage and hour cases for adidas and US Bank, and provided pro bono advice and representation to numerous nonprofit organizations, including Friends of the Children, Stand for Children and Community Action of Oregon.

Sources say: "An overall excellent firm with great lawyers who provide good value for money."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers remark that Carol Bernick is "an incredibly talented lawyer and a very good leader who will give it her all." Jenna Mooney both counsels and litigates on employment law, and "ranks at the top for being strategic and effective in addressing her clients' needs." James Mei centers his focus around business-related immigration issues. Chrys Martin concentrates on employment law from a management perspective, and is deemed by clients to be "a premier lawyer; very knowledgeable and resourceful, and accommodating as far as establishing a client relationship."

THE FIRM This team covers a range of issues in its growing labor and employment practice, including wage and hour, discrimination and harassment, counseling and litigating. Clients include Northwest Bank, Legacy Health and Oregon Health and Science University.

Sources say: "The personable team works efficiently and is spot on with its work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jack Cooper is leader of the employment and labor law team.

Allyson S Krueger 

THE FIRM The Portland group of this national employment law boutique firm comprises seven lawyers who advise on employee benefits, leaves, discrimination and harassment, and wage and hour matters, as well as handling complex employment litigation. In the last year the team resolved a $2 million wage and hour class action for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Sources say: "The firm is highly client-oriented, always keeps us up-to-date and informed, and produces excellent results."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Meneghello is described by clients as being "very bright, quick on the trigger, and always able to manage clients’ expectations." Clarence Belnavis has extensive employment litigation experience and represents employers in employment class actions, wage and hour claims and traditional labor matters. Tamsen Leachman is a new recruit from Dunn Carney. She is described by clients as "an incredible rising star in the community who impresses with her diligence in putting things together."

THE FIRM The firm's recent merger with Roberts Kaplan has further strengthened Lane Powell's labor and employment practice, which covers all areas of labor law, employment law and employment discrimination for both public and private sector clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Hosenpud has extensive trial experience and a strong reputation among peers for his litigation skills.

THE FIRM This employment law boutique has a strong national presence and constitutes the country's largest employment litigation practice. The ten-strong Portland team represents public and private sector clients, offering both counseling and litigating services across a number of employment matters. Clients include Port of Portland and Century Tel.

Sources say: "It's about more than just the fact that the team has collective, wide-ranging expertise; it also has very good individual lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Larry Amburgey is regarded by peers as a "highly capable and well-respected employment law counselor" who has more than 30 years of practice experience. Howard Rubin represents public and private companies across a range of employment law matters and is well thought of among peers and clients alike. Amy Alpern "is equipped with high-quality litigation skills and has a lot of courtroom experience" trying cases concerning breach of employment contract, harassment, discrimination and noncompetition agreement claims.

THE FIRM This long-established firm has a strong market presence, serving a mix of businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals. The group comprises 12 individuals who advise on a range of employment issues, including wage and hour, discrimination, compliance and collective bargaining issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Wayne Landsverk is a good point of contact.

THE FIRM Founded in 2007, this boutique immigration firm is made up of two partners who handle the full range of immigration issues. The team has an especially strong focus on high-level immigration in areas of business, as well as proven litigation aptitude and experience.

Sources say: "This firm is of national caliber and is spectacular in terms of both its client service and the quality of work produced."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Brent Renison is described by peers as "a top immigration lawyer" and represents companies in business-specific immigration matters. Tifani Parrilli focuses primarily on business-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas and labour certifications. She is well regarded for her ability to "work so effectively with federal agencies."

THE FIRM Comprising three employment lawyers, this group covers a number of labor and employment issues for clients from a range of industry sectors. It continues to represent UPS on all employment-related matters, and recently defended Kraft Foods USA in a disability discrimination case.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Calvin Keith manages the labor and employment practice and is praised by clients for being "well informed about his clients' businesses, readily available when needed, and very good at putting issues into lay terms."

THE FIRM This preeminent Northwestern firm serves clients on all employment-related issues, both across the country and internationally. Clients include Target, Morgan Stanley and Port of Vancouver.

Sources say: "An excellent firm which offers good, value-for-money service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chair of the firm's labor and employment group, Elizabeth Schleuning has extensive trial experience, particularly in handling discrimination and wage and hour cases. Michael Garone is noted by peers as being a "bright, articulate and thoughtful lawyer," who has over 20 years of experience working in appellate law, employment law and traditional labor law. Bradley Maier focuses on immigration and customs law and compliance, and is commended for "doing an impressive job of building up the firm's immigration practice."

THE FIRM Comprising 13 skilled lawyers, Stoel Rives has the largest labor and employment practice in Oregon and is recognized nationally for the breadth of its expertise. The team covers counseling, litigation and labor-management relations for its national and international clients, and has recently represented German company Solarworld in various employment issues, including wage and hour, employee disputes and HR policies.

Sources say: "I have never dealt with a law firm that is as responsive and accessible to us as Stoel Rives. It's one of the best."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Amy Joseph Pedersen concentrates on employment litigation and counseling, and is described by clients as "practical, responsive and a real virtuoso at finding a middle ground that works for the business and is also legally compliant." Victor Kisch is "an expert in the field and an effective advocate. He provides practical advice in a very responsive fashion." Trial lawyer Chris Kitchel is well regarded for her “very good client relationship skills and extensive litigation experience.” Barbara Brainard specializes in all aspects of employment law, representing employers, who note that "she really works with the client and helps to guide them towards good solutions." Edward Reeves is deemed by clients to be "an excellent communicator whose approach is to engage us in the decision-making process and 'teach' us, which is refreshing." Dennis Leybold is a partner in the firm's employee benefits group. He has extensive experience handling all aspects of qualified and nonqualified retirement and compensation plans. Clients benefit from his additional corporate finance background, which he combines with his employee benefits work to cover M&A-related benefits matters and employer securities. Former Barran Liebman attorney Karen O'Connor has a strong practice in employment litigation and employment-related advice, and is described as "a level-headed individual who thinks on her feet to get the best results for clients."

THE FIRM This Oregon-based, full-service firm provides extensive employment counseling and litigation services to its clients, covering wage and hour, employee contracts, harassment and discrimination, and noncompete and nondisclosure agreement issues. The firm also has a significant immigration practice, founded in 1999, which comprises two partners who handle temporary and permanent visa applications and citizenship proceedings for both individuals and company clients.

Sources say: "We have complete confidence in this firm and its work; the team is very friendly, courteous and helpful."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Carey is well regarded by peers and clients alike, and is described as "top-notch and quick on his feet, and excellent at building strong relationships with his clients." Immigration lawyer Turid Owren receives strong praise for her "market-leading capabilities in immigration law; she always finds a solution, everything is prepared perfectly and she knows how to communicate to the client." Alan Curtis Perkins is respected for his "incredible experience and knowledge in the employment immigration field."

Clay Creps and Krista Hardwick have recently joined the group from Bulilvant Houser Bailey. Creps both litigates for and provides counsel to employers, who praise his "prompt service and high quality of work at a reasonable cost." Rising star Hardwick is singled out by market sources as a "very talented labor and employment associate."

THE FIRM This employment law boutique comprises six lawyers who advise on and litigate across the full range of issues for public and private sector clients nationwide, including Amcor, Kettle Foods and Salem Hospital.

Sources say: "This is a strong player in terms of both the quality and quantity of what the team does."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced employment litigator Kathy Peck has a very strong reputation among peers.