Blerina Kotori

Practice Areas

Blerina is a partner in Tonkon Torp’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. She counsels and defends employers in a wide variety of matters, including complex leave laws, executive disputes, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour issues. Blerina’s practice focuses on employment litigation in Oregon and Washington, for both single plaintiff and multi-plaintiff cases. She represents employers in agency investigations, whether for individual complaints or systemic audits. Blerina works closely with management and Human Resources on countless employment issues, from risk assessment of terminations and challenging medical leave situations, to large-scale employment actions, such as layoffs and workforce reorganizations. Blerina’s clients range from nonprofit organizations to national companies in various regulated industries, such as healthcare and financial services.

Blerina partners with clients in managing high-stakes or high-publicity workforce crises in collaboration with public relations firms, information technology, and other stakeholders. She is experienced in unique issues applicable to executives and management, including sensitive trainings, investigations, and related concerns. Blerina is a frequent speaker on labor and employment issues (including with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) on topics such as leave and disability accommodation, harassment and discrimination, evaluations, and best practices for workforce management.

Career

Blerina is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Washington State and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the districts of Oregon, Western Washington, and Eastern Washington.

Professional Memberships

Multnomah Bar Association

National Association of Professional Women

NWEEO/Affirmative Action Association

Oregon Association of Defense Counsel

Oregon Women Lawyers

Portland Human Resource Management Association

Society for Human Resource Management

Education

Awards