How I represent clients at Schwabe
My practice focuses on helping employers in the Pacific Northwest navigate a wide array of complex employment-related matters, from advice and counseling on day-to-day compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws to representing them in disputes with current and former employees when they arise. I have a strong record of helping my clients avoid litigation in the first place. Still, I defend businesses in lawsuits and administrative proceedings before state and federal courts and agencies when necessary. Ultimately, I understand that companies are made of people, and people have unique backgrounds, perspectives, motivations, goals, and feelings that inevitably impact their relationships, interactions, and decisions in the workplace and other business settings.
Throughout my career spanning more than 16 years, I have had a special interest and focus on working with healthcare employers, including regional healthcare systems, hospitals, medical clinics, specialty practices, physician groups, mental health organizations, dental clinics, and other types of healthcare providers. I learned early in my career that having an understanding of the healthcare system, regulatory structure, and my clients’ healthcare operations and patient populations is essential to helping them address the unique employment-related issues that arise in the healthcare context. I strive to continually develop that understanding and apply it to the work I do for those employers. To that end, I’m a core member of Schwabe’s Healthcare and Life Sciences industry practice group, and have served on the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Health Law Section since 2023 (currently as Secretary).
I am also a member of our Sports and Entertainment, Real Estate and Construction, Natural Resources, and Ports and Maritime industry groups, and regularly work with employers in sports and entertainment, senior living, construction, natural resources, energy/utilities, agriculture, food processing, maritime, education, hospitality, technology, financial and professional services, non-profits, and other industries. In all aspects of my practice, I strive to help my clients by providing practical advice and solutions to minimize risks while advancing key business goals.
In addition to my substantive practice, I am proud to serve as Co-Chair of Schwabe’s Women’s Initiative Committee and as a member of our Diversity Committee. I am also actively involved in our summer associate program and enjoy mentoring newer lawyers.
Experience
Employment litigation and administrative matters
- Lead counsel defending healthcare employer in disability discrimination and wage claims, achieving successful dismissal of the disability discrimination and other claims and prevailing on appeal before the Oregon Court of Appeals.
- Lead counsel defending an energy client in lawsuit involving claims of injured working discrimination and whistleblowing for reporting workplace harassment, result in walkway voluntary dismissal in response to motion for summary judgment.
- Defense of many dozens of lawsuits and administrative complaints before state and federal courts and agencies, as well as pre-litigation demands, involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure-to-accommodate, wrongful termination, wage and hour, leave law violations, and contract disputes, including:
- Developing and leading defense strategy
- Conducting and overseeing witness interviews, case assessment, and project and case management and supporting clients through the litigation process
- Taking and defending depositions
- Drafting and overseeing pleadings, positions statements, discovery, and motion practice
- Coordinating and managing voluminous e-discovery and document review projects using the latest strategies and technology to improve accuracy and efficiency
- Conducting mediations and informal negotiations
- Presenting arguments and evidence at hearings, arbitrations, and trial
- Appellate briefing and advocacy, before the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit
- Representing businesses in relation to other non-employment state and federal agency investigations and administrative proceedings related to disability accommodation and discrimination laws
Employment advice and counseling
- Advising employers on compliance with state and federal employment laws including family and medical leave, paid family medical leave, paid sick time, pay equity, wage and hour, predictive scheduling, workplace safety, and COVID-related regulations
- Assisting employers with navigating and responding to disability, pregnancy, and religious accommodation requests and the interactive process
- Preparing and revising employee handbooks, personnel policies, employment agreements, and HR/supervisor training
- Advising employers on prevention of and investigating and responding to complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
- Consulting on internal investigations of employee misconduct or other complaints
- Counseling on employee performance and disciplinary matters and separations, including drafting and negotiating separation agreements
- Providing risk assessments and advising on employment, contract, and related business matters
- Guiding human resources and management personnel to improve internal processes and prevent and resolve disputes
- Drafting employment and non-competition/non-solicitation/non-disclosure agreements and helping to resolve post-employment disputes
- Advising on I-9 employment eligibility verification compliance and federal agency investigations
- Preparing objections and responses to subpoenas and requests for information, and related motion practice
Healthcare law experience
- Representing healthcare entities and providers in board licensing and medical staff disputes
- Advising on HIPAA, health information privacy, and other data privacy laws
- Overseeing and advising on retaliation and whistleblower claims related to patient health and safety
- Counseling healthcare entities on provider scope of practice, performance, and discipline issues related to clinical practices
- Providing risk assessment from both a corporate and clinical perspective
- Prior experience defending healthcare entities and providers medical malpractice litigation
Education
- Lewis & Clark, Law School, Juris Doctor, cum laude (2009)
- California State University, Chico, Bachelor of Arts degree, Political Science-Legal Studies and Minor in International Relations, cum laude (2004)
Admissions
- Oregon State Courts
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Washington
Memberships
- Oregon State Bar Health Law Section, Member (2010-present), Board Member (2023-2026), Secretary (2026-present)
- Washington State Society of Healthcare Lawyers (2023-present)
- American Health Lawyers Association (2018-present)
Awards
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024-2026)
Additional Publications
“Oregon Employee Leave Entitlements for Absences Due to Child’s COVID-19-Related Illness, School Closures, and Quarantine Orders,” September 2021
“Oregon OSHA Enacts Emergency Rules to Protect Workers From Extreme Heat,” July 2021
“Oregon Enacts Employment Protections for Hairstyles and Other Physical Characteristics Historically Associated With Race,” June 2021
“Oregon Updates and Expands Oregon Family Leave Act,” June 2021
“Get It Right: Gender Pronouns In The Modern Workplace,” Portland Business Journal, May 2019
“What Employers Need To Know About Protecting Employee Health Information,” Portland Business Journal, April 2018
“Protecting Employee Health Information,” Employee Benefits Adviser, March 2018
“What The Uncertain Future Of DACA Means For Employers,” Portland Business Journal, October 2017
Additional Events
“Oregon Legislative Update Webinar” – Schwabe – 3/18/26
“Washington Legislative Update Webinar” – Schwabe – 3/19/26
“Trends in Healthcare Employment” – Healthcare Leaders Talk at Schwabe – 3/4/26
“Healthcare Employment Law,” Guest Lecturer – Lewis & Clark Law School, Healthcare Seminar – February 2026
“Employment Law Updates and Trends In Healthcare” – OSB Health Law Section Annual Conference – November 2025
Respectful Workplaces/EEO Training – Community Mental Health Organization Staff Training – April 2025
Executive Order first 100 day series speaker (30 and 90 day) – Schwabe – Early 2025
“DEI in Higher Education” – presentation for leadership of a Washington college – March 2025
“Harassment: Don’t Do It” – Construction company staff training – February 2025
“Paid Leave Oregon” Oregon State Bar Labor & Employment Bootcamp CLE – June 2024
“What to Expect When Employees Are Expected” – Multnomah Bar Association CLE – May 2024
“Safer Seas Act” – Maritime Crew Presentation – February 2024
“Safer Seas Act” – Maritime Crew Presentation – June 2023
“Safer Seas Act” – Maritime Leaders Presentation – June 2023
“State of Healthcare in the Pacific Northwest” – Oregon State Bar Health Law Section CLE – April 2023
“Employee Handbooks” and “HIPAA Best Practices for HR,” National Business Institute Human Resource Law Boot Camp Webinar, October 2021
“Employee Handbooks” and “HIPAA Best Practices for HR,” National Business Institute Human Resource Law Boot Camp Webinar, October 2019
Services
Outside Interests
Spending time with my family and our many animals (including my beloved Old English Sheepdog, Margo), movies, concerts/live music, beach trips, road trips, camping, riding ATVs/off-roading, rockhounding, and other outdoor fun!
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