| Employment and Labor Law |
|
|
Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue is a Portland firm dedicated to partnering with our employer clients. Our Employment & Labor practice is a growing and dynamic part of the Firm. We draw from diverse backgrounds and can, as a result, offer our clients practical, solution-driven assistance in all aspects of workplace law. We provide guidance and representation to our HR managers and staff in the boardroom and in the courtroom.
Our Practice
Employment Advice & Counsel
Our lawyers bring broad experience and many years of knowledge to this area of our Employment & Labor practice. We believe in the power of prevention and strive to assist clients in anticipating potential litigation risks and resolving employee concerns at the lowest possible level and earliest possible time. We do this by helping our clients develop and maintain effective employee management tools, training managers, supervisors, and Human Resources personnel about legal landmines and preventative strategies, assisting with employment practice audits, and counseling clients through a variety of difficult situations – from performance counseling to investigating complaints of unlawful harassment or workplace violence. We also assist employers in keeping their workplace policies, internal procedures, and retirement or compensation plans current and in compliance with various state and federal requirements, and helping to ensure that Noncompetition Agreements and trade secret protections are effective and enforceable.
Litigation
Beyond our focus on prevention, we also serve as zealous and skilled advocates in situations where disputes escalate to administrative proceedings or litigation. We have extensive experience representing employers in all forums and in all employment-related claims, including those involving allegations of:
• wrongful discharge
• unlawful employment practices
• discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
• disability-related and OFLA/FMLA leave issues, and
• wage and hour, prevailing wage or pay practice deficiencies.
We also represent clients in the enforcement or avoidance of Noncompetition Agreements or other disputes focusing on concerns about unfair competition.
We believe that each case must be assessed on its unique facts and circumstances and that a resolution strategy that best meets the client’s needs and objectives should be developed as early in the process as possible.
Labor Relations
Union avoidance is on the minds of an increasing number of Oregon businesses. This is particularly true in targeted industries such as health care, hospitality, and construction. Our labor relations team members help employers understand and navigate through the organizing process, create a strategic approach to negotiating a first labor agreement, and avoid unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.
For those employers who already have a unionized workforce, we work with management to effectively resolve grievances and arbitrations, as well as participate in collective bargaining either directly or as strategic counsel, behind the scenes. Finally, when called, we assist employers with keeping the doors open during a strike or boycott.
Team Members
Tamsen L. Leachman
Kelly J. Martin
Our Commitment to Our Clients
We value the trust and confidence placed in us by our clients and strive to provide effective, high-quality and cost-efficient representation. We also provide value-added services that enhance communication and understanding about developing issues in the law. For example, our firm's E-mail Alerts is one service offered to keep clients abreast of continuing changes in employment law. Similarly, our Breakfast Briefings provide information about emerging legal issues and a chance to ask questions about the impact of changes to their current practices or employees. Click here for the Feb. 2008 Employment and Labor Law Checkup brochure.
June 5- "Breaking Up is Hard to Do - Risk Management Before, During and After Termination," a Dunn Carney Employment Law Seminar at the Multnomah Athletic Club at 7:30 AM-9:30 AM. Send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.
Articles
A Climate Shift-New Challenges for Oregon Employers in 2008
A New Trend in Discrimination Claims – Protection of Employees Who Are Also Family Caregivers
Dunn Carney Enews on Employment Matters
Leave for Military Families is Now Law
Payment Of Compensation is Not as Easy as it Once Was
New Challenges for Employers in 2008
Customs and Immigration Services Issues Revised Employment Verification Form
Limiting Liability For Employer-Sponsored Holiday Parties
Reminder: New Oregon Noncompete Law Takes Effect January 1, 2008
Oregon Joins List Of States With Data Breach Laws
Temporary Delay in No-Match Letter Regulations
Important New Guidelines For No-Match Letters
New Employer Liability For Missed Rest Breaks
Legislature Changes Oregon’s Noncompetition Agreement Law
Employer Update: 8-Hour Overtime Bill Faces Legislative Opposition
Immigration Laws and the Risk of Employment Discrimination Claims
Arbitration Clauses: One Size Does Not Fit All
Using “Independent Contractors” Can Be Risky
The Pension Protection Act of 2006: Good News for Employers and Employees
Holiday Cheer Without the Hangover--Avoiding Holiday Party Liability
Do Your Employees Drive Vehicles On the Job? Be Sure Your Cell Phone Policy Speaks to the Issue
