About

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Clients turn to Stoel Rives’ Labor & Employment group to navigate complex workplace challenges. We deliver high-quality representation, innovative solutions, and business-driven results. From high-stakes litigation to day-to-day counseling, we serve as trusted strategic advisors.

Our large team stands out for its full-service approach, providing advice and counsel, dispute resolution, labor representation, investigations, appeals, and training. We are particularly known for our depth in traditional labor law, handling the full spectrum of issues, from union campaigns and elections to collective bargaining, NLRB proceedings, arbitrations, and related disputes.

We are trusted with mission-critical matters involving novel theories, issues of first impression, and precedent-setting decisions. Our attorneys have extensive experience defending high-profile wage and hour class actions, litigating discrimination, retaliation, and non-compete claims, and conducting sensitive workplace investigations.

We bring significant experience in highly regulated industries, including healthcare, agribusiness, manufacturing, and technology. Our clients include leading brands and major employers across the West.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Labor & Employment - Oregon

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Stoel Rives has a large and impressive practice in labor and employment, acting mainly for the employer across the scope of this sector. The team is skilled in litigation matters including non-competition disputes, wage and hour cases, whistle-blower, terminations, and discrimination claims. The department offers significant experience in arbitration matters. Its client base includes a variety of well-known consumer brands, as well as schools, universities, and companies in the health sector.

Work Highlights

  • Stoel Rives represented PeaceHealth in two lawsuit brought against both its client and the Attorneys General of Oregon and Washington, including handling an appeal to the dismissal of the suit before the Ninth Circuit.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Karen L O'Connor
1
Karen L O'Connor
1
Band 1
Karen O'Connor regularly conducts workplace investigations in relation to harassment and discrimination complaints. She has significant experience in employment litigation, with particular knowledge around wage-and-hour class actions.
Brenda K Baumgart
2
Brenda K Baumgart
Head of Labor & Employment
2
Band 2
Brenda Baumgart is well versed in handling single-plaintiff and class action suits in the labor and employment space. She is notably active working with clients in the healthcare sector. Brenda works with top national clients.

Brenda Baumgart gives excellent and thoughtful advice, and successfully defends and resolves cases efficiently and effectively.

Brenda Baumgart is an excellent partner in service and strategy.

Laura Rosenbaum
3
Laura Rosenbaum
3
Band 3
Laura Rosenbaum provides clients with high-quality advice on labor and employment matters, with particular expertise on disability discrimination and wrongful discharge claims.

I value Laura's opinion immensely.

Laura Rosenbaum is reliable and always available. She can step into a matter at any point and we know it will be handled right.

Laura Rosenbaum offers a high level of client service and responsiveness. She is super analytical and thorough in her work and approach.

Todd Hanchett
3
Todd Hanchett
3
Band 3
Todd Hanchett leads impressive employment class action litigation, but also shows expertise in discrimination cases, as well as arbitration. He is active in the healthcare sector.

Todd Hanchett is an excellent partner.

Todd Hanchett has guided us wisely through challenging and complicated situations. His knowledge, understanding of the nuances of our business, creativity in problem solving, and willingness to make the hard calls make him an asset to our organization.

Todd Hanchett is exceptionally talented and responsive.

Andrea Thompson
4
Andrea Thompson
4
Band 4

Andrea Thompson is highlighted for her ability to defend clients against claims of discrimination, wrongful termination and wage-and-hour issues.

Andrea Thompson is disciplined, organized and diligent.

Melissa J. Healy
U
Melissa J. Healy
U
Up and Coming

Melissa Healy is known for her expertise in assisting clients with labor and employment matters, including litigation.

She has been a tremendous asset. Her curiosity, follow through and creative problem-solving bring additional resources, knowledge and skill to her clients.

Melissa is very easy to work with. She is a smart and sophisticated lawyer who helps us think through challenging issues. She understands our goals and ensures that any steps we take in the employment context are consistent with them.

Ranked Lawyers at
Stoel Rives LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Oregon

Labor & Employment

Karen L O'Connor
1
Karen L O'Connor
1
Band 1
Brenda K Baumgart
2
Brenda K Baumgart
Head of Labor & Employment
2
Band 2
Laura Rosenbaum
3
Laura Rosenbaum
3
Band 3
Todd Hanchett
3
Todd Hanchett
3
Band 3
Andrea Thompson
4
Andrea Thompson
4
Band 4
Melissa J. Healy
U
Melissa J. Healy
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Brenda K Baumgart

Brenda K Baumgart

Head of Department

John Dudrey

Matthew Tellam

Megan Bradford

Melissa Healy

Rachel Gale

Ryan Kunkel

Sophie Shaddy-Farnsworth

Clients

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan

Legacy Health

McMenamins, Inc.

OCHIN, Inc.

Oregon Health & Science University

PeaceHealth

Precision Castparts Corp.

Samaritan Health

Walgreen Co.

Western Oregon University

Industries

Provided by Stoel Rives LLP

Consumer Products

Education

Food & Beverage

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Natural Resources

Real Estate

Technology