Labor & Employment Advice
No matter the size or nature of a company's workforce, labor and employment issues are critically important to ongoing success. Tonkon Torp's relationship-based approach offers practical solutions to labor and employment issues for a diverse group of employers. We help our clients manage employee relations, protect competitive positions, deal with union activity and defend employment litigation.Counseling & Training
Compliance is crucial. Our attorneys help companies large and small comply with local, state and federal employment laws, minimizing exposure to litigation. We identify problem areas in the workplace, develop appropriate policies and procedures to address those problems, and train management and employees to prevent costly disputes.Counseling and training programs include:
- The development of and compliance with policies covering harassment, discrimination and retaliation
- Wage and hour practices
- State and federal leave compliance
- The ADA and reasonable accommodations
- Employment application, hiring, evaluation and discharge procedures
- OSHA and workplace safety
- Non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements
- Employment contracts, executive compensation and employee benefits
- Closures, downsizing, and layoffs, including WARN compliance
- Prevention of workplace theft and violence
- Employee handbooks
- Affirmative action plans
- OFCCP audits
Labor Relations
We help employers navigate labor relations and union issues, from grievances to negotiating labor practices. We effectively represent employers in connection with the following issues:- Unfair labor practice actions with the NLRB
- Strikes and injunctions
- Union organizing campaigns
- Representation elections
- Collective bargaining
- Union grievances and labor arbitrations
Attorneys
Paralegals
Tonkon Torp Brings Attorney Power to Renewable Energy Transaction
Tonkon Torp client Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA) is the North American subsidiary of one of the largest corporations in the world, the Italian electricity company Enel S.p.A. Here's how we helped EGPNA in a renewable energy acquisition.
Fashion House Dooney & Bourke Wins with Tonkon Torp
Tonkon Torp trial attorneys Scott Seidman and Colin Geiger were victorious in defending Dooney & Bourke, Inc., in a wage claims trial in the U. S. District Court in Portland. Find details and more featured cases here.
ADA Claim
Obtained a directed verdict at the close of a trial defending an ADA claim on behalf of employer/client.
Case of First Impression
Successfully defended employer/client through summary judgment and successive appeals on a case of first impression regarding limitations on the reinstatement and reemployment rights for injured workers.
Champlin/GEI Management Company, Inc. v. Huseby
Defeated motion for temporary restraining order filed against executive in federal court based on alleged breach of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreement.
Class Action/Employment Law
Represented the nation's largest veterinary chain in a wage and hour class action in federal court in California, including substantial motions practice. (USDC Central District of California)
Collective Bargaining with the Oregon Nurses Association
Negotiated on behalf of public hospital to successful contract.
Confidentiality Agreement Dispute
Represented business owner in confidentiality agreement dispute. Matter was settled to client's satisfaction
Eashen Liu/Providence Physician Services Co.
Represented physician in negotiating employment agreement with regional healthcare provider.
Frances Du Ju v. Employer
Won summary judgment in federal lawsuit for race discrimination and retaliation filed by former employee of international staffing agency.
Guydish v. U.S. Bakery
(King County, WA Superior Court/Washington Court of Appeals) – Defended successfully, in trial court and on appeal, a class action seeking unpaid overtime on behalf of route sales persons for a regional company.
Hamrick v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local bakery in federal lawsuit filed by former employee for disability discrimination and FMLA interference.
Jes Shelton v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local affiliate of international nonprofit housing organization in lawsuit filed by former employee in federal court for whistleblower retaliation.
Kristie Merrill et al. v. Employer
Conducted internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment asserted by one former employee and two current employees of central Oregon healthcare provider.
Lightbourne v. Gresham Cosmetic Laser Center
Represented employer in termination litigation involving allegations of workers compensation and disability discrimination. Obtained favorable settlement of all claims.
Mary Christ v. Employer
Obtained dismissal of unfair labor practice charges filed against local day spa by former employee who claimed she was terminated for union activity.
Medical Use of Marijuana Reasonable Accommodation
Successfully obtained summary judgment on employer's obligation to reasonably accommodate medical use of marijuana which was upheld on by State Supreme Court.
Multi-Plaintiff Sexual Harassment Defense
Defended multi-plaintiff sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the EEOC, resulting in a dismissal of 2 of the plaintiffs and a favorable settlement with the remaining 4 plaintiffs.
Patricia Lewey v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for national veterinary hospital in case involving claims of wrongful constructive discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress asserted by former employee.
Policy Development
Assisted international athletic footwear company with crafting and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with new child abuse reporting legislation.
Policy Development/Handbook Renew/Employee Training
Worked with client on policy development, handbook renew, and employee training information.
Representation of Municipal Ambulance Company
Represented a municipal ambulance company in regard to various employment and labor issues.
Sexual Harassment Defense
Defense verdict for client/employer in a sexual harassment claim by two female employees.
Shareholder Oppression Claims
Brought claims for minority shareholder oppression and employment discrimination. After obtaining partial summary judgment, we obtained a favorable settlement for our client.
Sorokina v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local baker in lawsuit filed by former employee for age and gender discrimination and retaliation.