Welcome to SussmanShank.com

Professional Experience
Nena Cook is a trial attorney with over twenty years of experience specializing in complex business disputes, appellate law and professional liability defense. Nena carries the preeminent AV designation by Martindale-Hubbell® and is a frequent speaker and writer on the topics of professionalism, ethics and employment law.

Honors/Awards
2011-2012 Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty of Labor and Employment Law
2006-2011 Named to the Oregon Super Lawyers list in the category of Business Litigation
2009 Included in the list of Oregon's Top 25 Women Super Lawyers
2005 Voted by Portland area lawyers as the "Best of the Bar" in the category of Litigation and Dispute Resolution
2005 Selected by Willamette Week as one of the 50 most influential women in Portland
2004 Named by Oregon Business Magazine as one of the top five female business leaders in the State of Oregon
2002 Honored by the Portland Business Journal as one of the "Forty under 40" people recognized for outstanding leadership in business and civic affairs

Professional Organizations
American Bar Association, 1991-Present
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, 2007-Present
Campaign for Equal Justice Advisory Board, 2007-Present
Federal Bar Association, 1991-Present
Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999
Gus J. Solomon American Inn of Court, 1991-1998
Leadership College Advisory Board, Chair 2006-2008
Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002
Multnomah County Pro Tem Judge, 2007-Present
Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003
Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005
Oregon Commission for Women, 2007-2010
Oregon State Bar, 1991-Present
      Litigation Section
      Labor and Employment Section
      Business Litigation Section
Oregon State Bar Board of Governors, 2002-2005
Oregon State Bar President, 2005
Oregon State Bar Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002
Oregon Women Lawyers, 1991-Present
Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation Board, 2007-Present
Washington State Bar Association, 1992-Present
      Litigation Section
      Labor and Employment Section

Education
B.A., Gonzaga University
J.D., Willamette University College of Law
Willamette Law Review, Production Editor (1990-1991)

Civic Organizations
St. Clare School Advisory Council
Multnomah Neighborhood Association

Publications
Oregon State Bar, Civil Litigation Manual
     "Injunctive Relief," 1999
     "Summons," 2003
     "Temporary Restraining Orders and Preliminary Injunctions," 2003
BOLI Annual Employment Law Conference
     "Current Issues in Employment Law," 2005
     "How to Prevent Employment Litigation," 2006
     "Navigate Changing Employment Laws," 2007
     "Documentation, Discipline & Discharge," 2008

Admitted to Practice
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Oregon State Bar
      U.S. District Court, Oregon
Washington State Bar
      U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
      U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Personal Interests
Nena was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the proud mother of two amazing children. She enjoys all outdoor activities and volunteering at her sons' school.

2011 Summary Judgment Tips for Avoiding Admissibility Pitfalls: OLI
2011 Motions Against Pleadings/Motions to Amend: Oregon State Bar
2011 Convocation on Equality: Oregon State Bar
2010 50 Tips and Strategies for Businesses: Oregon State Bar
2009 Negotiation Ethics: Professional Liability Fund
2009 Employment Law Update : Oregon State Bar
2009 Employment Law Conference: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
2009 ADA Amendments Act: Oregon State Bar
2008 Employment Law Conference: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
2008 Discipline, Documentation & Discharge: Oregon State Bar
2008 Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP
2007 Navigating ADA, FMLA & Workers Compensation: The Seminar Group
2007 How to Prevent Employment Litigation
2007 Hot Topics in Employment Law: Oregon State Bar
2007 Employment Law Conference: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
2007 Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP
2006 Employment Law Conference: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
2006 Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP
2005 Professionalism: University of Oregon School of Law
2005 Ethics in 18 Holes: Oregon State Bar
2005 Employment Law Conference: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
2005 Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP
2004 Employment Law Update: Oregon Economic & Business Forum
2004 Employment Law CLE: Oregon State Bar
2004 Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP

Representative Work

Successfully defended a construction company against employment law claims brought by an injured veteran under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA).
Represent Douglas County, Oregon and its three commissioners in several matters including defense of a $2 Million case brought by a former employee for alleged violations of freedom of speech, due process, equal protection and for wrongful discharge, defamation and retaliation.
Successfully defended a national construction company sued by the EEOC on behalf of two former female employees who were pregnant at the time of their termination. The EEOC sought more than $500,000 for each individual.
Successfully defended a national teleservices company for alleged breach of contract and unfair business practices.
Successfully defended a regional underground utilities construction company against the Secretary of Labor's claims before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
Represented clients in well over 50 non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements.
Successfully represented a company providing management services to fifty-eight skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the country in defense of a case brought by former employees who alleged racial discrimination, violation of the Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and wrongful discharge. The former employees sought over $10 million in damages and a permanent injunction.
Routinely provide advice, training and counsel to Fortune 100 companies on a wide range of employment-related topics including drafting arbitration provisions, conducting harassment and discrimination investigations, analyzing wage and hour issues, and advising on hiring, termination, and effective employment documentation.
Secured a summary judgment ruling on behalf of a national funeral home company where the plaintiffs alleged negligence, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Successfully sued a former officer and employee of a construction company for fraud, conversion and breach of the duty of loyalty.
Successfully sued an international IT solutions company headquartered in Canada on behalf of an Oregon family-owned business for breach of contract, violation of Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act and negligence.