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Our Employment Law Group is dedicated to providing practical advice that is responsive to your needs, taking into account your company's culture and relationship with your employees. The attorneys in our group have the dedication, experience and resources to help you with: issues related to hiring, discipline, and termination of employees; drafting and implementation of employment policies and contracts; training and internal investigations; and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and litigation. We help clients navigate employment laws and to efficiently - from an economic and strategic perspective – avoid and resolve disputes. Visit our employment law blog
We have considerable expertise in the following areas of law:
- Administrative Complaints (EEOC, BOLI, WHRC)
- Age Discrimination In Employment Act (ADEA)
- Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Confidential/Proprietary Protections
- Departing Employee Disputes & Wrongful Termination Claims
- Discrimination & Harassment
- Employee Handbooks, Policies And Procedures
- Employment Contracts including Non Competition Agreements
- Employment Litigation
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Family Medical Leave (FMLA And OFLA)
- Internal Interview Process
- Investigation Of Employee Complaints
- Privacy Issues
- Retaliation Claims
- Wage And Hour Violations
Practice Area Chair(s)
Elizabeth A. Semler
Articles related to this area
Employers: What's age got to do with it?
Enforcing a Non-Compete Against a Former Employee: The Basics
Employment eAlert: Workers' Compensation Coverage for Off Premises Injuries
Cases associated with this practice area
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)We represented an equipment dealer who was sued by a former bookkeeper, alleging sexual harassment against the company's president. In the course of investigation, we determined that the plaintiff had embezzled from the employer. We asserted counterclaims against her in the civil action and instituted criminal charges. The case was resolved with the employer paying nothing, and the employee being convicted of embezzlement and being ordered to pay criminal restitution to the employer.
BOLI InvestigationsBOLI InvestigationsWe represented an electrical contractor that faced two complaints filed with the Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) for discrimination based on the use of the workers' compensation system and wrongful discharge. We successfully argued that the workers were laid off after completion of the job and were not rehired because they did not have seniority or the requisite skills. BOLI did not find sufficient evidence to continue its investigation and closed its files.
EmploymentEmploymentWe represented a president of a subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company. The Fortune 500 company had enticed our client to work for them approximately one year before, and the employment package included a $150,000 severance package. After less than a year of operations, the Fortune 500 company, caught in the 2000-2001 economic downturn, decided to suspend operations of the subsidiary, and looked at transferring our client to manage another subsidiary. The client did not wish to move out of state, and the company terminated our client and refused to pay him the severance package. On behalf of our client we filed a lawsuit, and, thereafter, agreed with the company to mediate the disagreement. Our client received in excess of $110,000 in cash, plus a release from his non-competition agreement with the company. This settlement, in effect, allowed our client to receive a substantial amount of the severance package, and to set up a business in Oregon servicing those former clients for which the Fortune 500 company was no longer serving, providing the client substantially more in income than the total $150,000 initial severance package.
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Employment Benefits and ISOs
Employment Benefits and ISOs
We routinely assist clients in the design and implementation of incentive stock option plans, nonqualified options, and other employee benefit plans.
Non-Compete Agreements
Non-Compete Agreements
We routinely represent both employers and employees in the negotiation, enforcement and defense of non-compete agreements. Oregon has an unusual statute governing effectiveness of a non-competition agreement between an employer and an employee, and we help our clients avoid being surprised by the statute's effect.
Trial/Summary Judgment
Trial/Summary Judgment
We represented a company that was sued in federal court by two former employees, who alleged sexual harassment, discrimination based on gender, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and wrongful discharge. Each individual was seeking over $750,000 in damages. We filed summary judgment motions in both cases and the judge dismissed all but one claim for each plaintiff. One week before going to trial on the remaining claim, the plaintiffs' attorney dismissed both cases.
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Clients associated with this practice area
Backyard Bird Shop
Belfor USA Group, Inc.
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.
Attorneys practicing in this area
Brecht, Jeff D. -
Special Counsel
Cook, Nena -
Partner
Semler, Elizabeth A. -
Partner
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Disclaimer: The information in this Web site is for general purposes only and should not be construed
as specific legal advice by Sussman Shank LLP or its attorneys. If you have specific legal questions consult
with your own lawyer or call to make an appointment. |
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