Elizabeth A. Semler
Partner, Business Group Chair, Employment Group Chair
1000 SW Broadway, Suite 1400
Portland, Oregon 97205
503.227.1111 Main
503.243.1661 x 264 Direct
Assistant: Jennifer M. Langlois: 503.243.1661 x 254
Elizabeth assists clients in a broad range of business and employment matters. She represents parties in business disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitration, including disputes arising from contracts, intra-corporate relationships, and trusts and estates. Elizabeth's employment practice includes representing employers in court and before administrative agencies. She also provides advice to employers on a wide range of employment-related topics including:
Elizabeth frequently writes and speaks on issues relating to employment law and conducts harassment and discrimination trainings for employers. Elizabeth joined Sussman Shank in 1998 after starting her legal career in 1992 as an associate with Rosen & Reade, LLP in New York.
Elizabeth's cases include representation of such clients as Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc., Backyard Birdshop, EmpRes Healthcare, Inc., Bridge City Cafe, BeginRight Employment Services and Realty Trust Company.
Speaking Engagements
Top 20 Handbook Provisions (BOLI) (2019)
Minimizing Risk and Strategies for Success and Managing Insanity (aka trial) in Employment Litigation, Oregon State Bar Corporate Counsel Section (2018)
Undetectable, Untransmittable, Unclear: Virally-Suppressed Employees and the Healthcare Workplace: Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys (2018)
Employee Handbook Essentials (BOLI) (2018)
Effective Workplace Investigations: Oregon Banker's Association (2018)
Get Proactive! How to Address and Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (MBA) (2018)
Employee Handbooks (BOLI) (2017)
U.S. Employment Law Challenges for 2017 Webinar (Mackrell) (2017)
Drafting Effective Employee Handbooks (BOLI) (2016)
Training Supervisors To Respond To Employee Absences (BOLI) (2015)
City of Portland Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: Oregon Health Care Association (2014)
Social Media Policies and Employee use of Personal Electronic Devices: Oregon Bankers Association (2014)
Workplace Harassment (BOLI) (2013)
Enforcement of Noncompetition Agreements: Oregon State Bar Webinar (2013) Termination Practices to Avoid Employment Litigation: Oregon State Bar Webcast CLE (2012)
Developing an Employee Handbook (BOLI) (2012)
Termination Trips, Traps and Best Practices (BOLI) (2011)
Professional Organizations
American Bar Association
Business Law
Labor and Employment Law
Litigation
Multnomah Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Oregon State Bar
Federal Practice and Procedure Committee, Chair (2010)
Leadership College, Fellow (2007)
Quality of Life Committee, Chair (2006)
Business Litigation Section, Executive Committee (2015)
Labor and Employment Section, Executive Committee (2016-Present)
- Secretary (2019)
Oregon Women Lawyers
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Washington State Bar Association