Workers’ Rights

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Our Labor and Employment practice group has extensive experience advocating for employees. We’re up to the minute on current laws and very knowledgeable about employees’ rights and employers’ responsibilities.

Our employment law expertise includes:

  • Unlawful termination
  • Discrimination (race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability)
  • Sexual harassment
  • Family and medical leave
  • Whistleblower retaliation
  • Unpaid wages
  • Severance agreements

We’re passionate about employment law and aggressively represent our clients. We have a long record of successful litigation against large corporations and state bureaucracies. And we have the resources and expertise to pursue class action lawsuits and other complex litigation.

LABOR LAW

Our commitment to labor is reflected in our long history of comprehensive representation of unions and their members – even our own staff are proud members of UFCW Local 555! We have considerable experience advocating for numerous national, statewide and local labor organizations in Oregon and Washington. These unions represent members in fields such as education, healthcare, public safety, paper industry, and service employees.

We have advised and represented unions and their members in:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Union organizing
  • Retaliation for union activity and free speech
  • Elections
  • Public sector labor disputes
  • Grievance and interest arbitrations

We’ve developed a common-sense approach to disputes with management and utilize our expertise in a manner that is cost-effective to the union. We excel at out-of-court solutions but are prepared to effectively litigate if the need arises. We have a history of representing coalitions of labor organizations on matters of joint concern relating to election laws, the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and other litigation.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

If you have a work-related injury or illness you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our team can help you get benefits, beginning with a free consultation to see if you qualify for:

  • Medical benefits to cover the cost of treatment
  • Wage loss benefits for time you are unable to work
  • Vocational rehabilitation benefits if you’re unable to do your current job and need new training
  • Payment for permanent injuries

Workers’ Compensation guidelines and forms can be confusing; filling them out correctly and meeting deadlines is crucial. Oregon’s workers’ compensation system requires employers to maintain insurance to cover worker injuries, but employers sometimes dispute claims to keep their costs down. We have extensive experience fighting for the rights of injured workers to obtain the benefits they deserve. Even if your claim for benefits has been denied, we may be able to successfully appeal on your behalf.