Services & Industries
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, University of San Diego School of Law, Order of the Coif, 2008
B.A., Colorado College, 2001
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
State Bar of California
Haley is a Partner in Tonkon Torp’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. She provides counsel to employers on a wide variety of matters, with a particular focus on employment litigation in California and Oregon, in both single-plaintiff and class action contexts. Haley conducts comprehensive employment practice diagnostics for national and global companies, as well as workforce exempt classification reviews. She also provides advice on discrete issues in countless employment-related contexts.
Among her many achievements, Haley is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and Super Lawyers in Oregon and California. She has also been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® as a result of her successes defending businesses in significant class actions. Haley was recently inducted to the American Employment Law Council, which is an invitation-only organization for the nation’s top L&E attorneys.
Haley’s clients include: Morgan Stanley, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Daimler Truck North America, AMN Healthcare, Vesta Innovations, Dick’s Auto Group, Sunshine Retirement Living, Asante, Builders FirstSource, M Financial, Powin, Laurel, Dragonberry Produce, Trackers Earth, and Teleperformance USA. She also regularly works with businesses selected by the Y Combinator, the renowned tech incubator in San Francisco, whose companies have a combined valuation of over $100B. Haley’s Y Combinator clients include Curri, Truepill, and Ramen VR, among others.
Haley’s online client reviews include the following:
- “Haley is a powerhouse. I’ve repeatedly watched her go toe-to-toe with other top lawyers, and outsmart them at every turn…. The value of the work is outstanding, and you will not find a better lawyer to have on your side.”
- “Terrific lawyer. Fast, efficient, smart, and intuitive. Fun to work with as well.”
- “[S]he’s tenacious and she’s knowledgeable.”
- “[C]onstantly impresses her Fortune 500 clients, including the in-house department for which I work. She is a top-notch attorney.”
- “Invaluable asset.”
- “She is an integral part of our continued success.”
- “Haley Morrison is a phenomenal attorney. She is a fierce advocate for her clients, an excellent strategist, and a brilliant writer. I have used Haley on my most sensitive and challenging cases, and have never been disappointed.”
Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Haley worked in California for multinational law firm, Paul Hastings LLP, for seven years. As a student at the University of San Diego School of Law, Haley served as an intern in the Attorney General’s Office, an extern for the Honorable Nita L. Stormes in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, and a summer associate at Paul Hastings. Before attending law school, Haley worked for Sport Oregon, where she was responsible for marketing and organization for major sporting events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Dew Tour.
Haley is a soccer player, runner, and overall sports enthusiast. In her spare time, she runs ultramarathons and volunteers with programs focused on building self-esteem and discipline through sports. She is a past Board Chair for Playworks, a nonprofit that improves the well-being of elementary-aged children by increasing opportunities for safe, meaningful play, and is on the Advisory Board of Bridge City Soccer Academy, a nonprofit teaching girls to make empowered decisions both on and off the field. Haley also participates in several leadership groups focused on making the Greater Portland area a healthier and safer place to live.
Growing up, Haley was a four-sport varsity athlete at Lincoln High School. She was captain of the soccer team, and earned All-City and All-State selections multiple times. She went on to play soccer collegiately at Colorado College (NCAA Division I), and semi-professionally for several seasons before attending law school.
Representative Matters
Earned Dismissal of All Claims in Arbitration
Concluded case spanning nearly seven (7) years on behalf of Fortune 100 Company with an unqualified defense decision in arbitration.
Achieved Walk-Away Win in Statewide Class Action
As a result of early motion practice, achieved complete walk-away on California statewide class action allegations involving more than 500 engineers.
Attained Defense Verdict in Misclassification Jury Trial
Attained complete defense verdict in an exempt misclassification case tried before a jury.
Achieved Dismissal of Class Action Following Summary Judgment Victory
Authored a motion for partial summary judgment which resulted in the plaintiff voluntarily dismissing a putative class action worth more than $300M, involving hundreds of drivers, warehouse workers, and front office personnel.
Won Defense Fees Following Summary Judgment
Prevailed on summary judgment, and in an exceedingly rare decision by a federal court, won a petition for defense fees and costs on behalf of client.
Defeated Class Certification and Prevailed on Follow-On Individual Cases
After defeating class certification in a case involving supervisors in the package delivery industry, prevailed on follow-on individual actions through motion practice and/or trials. After a string of victories without a single loss, the remaining individual plaintiffs dismissed their cases outright.
Litigated Two Cases to Favorable Decisions by the California Supreme Court
Defended two cases, on behalf of different clients, to successful resolution before the State’s highest court. One matter was a single-plaintiff wage/hour issue, the other was a class action related to vacation pay. Both decisions have become seminal California law.
Summary Judgment Win Mooted Nationwide Collective Action
Prevailed on summary judgment as to the named plaintiffs in a nationwide independent contractor matter, thereby mooting their efforts to certify a collective action.
Favorable Settlement on Eve of Trial
After winning every pretrial motion and arguing prehearing briefs, settled contentious discrimination claim for nuisance value three days before trial.
Defeated Misclassification Class Action
Defeated class certification in a state-wide exempt misclassification matter regarding retail supervisors.
Multiple Summary Judgment Wins
Achieved more than two dozen complete victories on summary judgment.
Successful Mediations
Negotiated very favorable client results in numerous mediations, including in state- and nation-wide class actions, and single-plaintiff cases.
Achieved Asylum for Ethiopian Refugee
Obtained asylum for an Ethiopian refugee who had suffered lifelong persecution. And, after five years of advocacy — which included leveraging support from two United States Senators and a Congressman — successfully petitioned for derivative status for her five young children.
Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Achieves Arbitration Win for Global Financial Services Firm
Tonkon Torp partner Haley Morrison and associate Carlie Bacon recently secured a complete victory through arbitration for a New York-based, global financial services firm in the Fortune 100. The client hired Haley several years ago to defend it against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, medical leave interference, equal pay violations, and various torts by a former financial advisor.
Tonkon Torp Secures Complete Victory – and Wins Attorneys’ Fees – in Employment Litigation Matter for Sunshine Retirement Living
In a very rare decision by a federal court, Tonkon Torp partner Haley Morrison won attorneys’ fees for the defense in a case alleging state and federal discrimination and retaliation claims. Morrison, along with local counsel from Troutman Pepper’s Atlanta office, defended Sunshine Retirement Living in the case brought by a former employee, before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Community Involvement & Activities
Gus Solomon Inn of Court
Member, 2023-Present
Bridge City Soccer Academy
Advisory Board Member, 2020-Present
Playworks Pacific Northwest
Board Member, 2015-2020
Past Chair, 2016-2020
Women’s Foundation of Oregon
Founding Member, 2015-2016
Portland Business Alliance
Leadership Portland Class of 2017
University of San Diego
Alumni Association
Wallace Inn of Court
2010-2012
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
American Employment Law Council
Multnomah Bar Association
San Diego County Bar Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Super Lawyers
2020-2022, Oregon Super Lawyer – Employment Litigation: Defense
2016-2018, Oregon Rising Star – Labor & Employment
2015, San Diego Rising Star – Labor & Employment
America's Top 100
2018-2019, America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
The Corporate America
2015, Legal Elite
San Diego Business Journal
2014–2015, Best of the Bar
The Daily Transcript - San Diego
2012–2014, Top Attorney – Labor & Employment
2012–2014, Top Young Attorney
Recent News
Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 26 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its Chambers USA 2023 Guide.
Haley Morrison Explores How AI May Change the Legal Profession
Attorney Haley Morrison was a panelist at ILTACON’s recent legal technology conference. Haley joined experts on timekeeping, data science, and legal practice management software to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may change the practice of law.
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 53 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2023 List
Fifty-three Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 37 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Nearly all the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2022 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in 11 practice areas have been included in the 2022 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars
Chambers USA 2022 Ranks 28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 28 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its Chambers USA 2022 Guide.
Recent Publications
Department of Labor Announces Final Rule on Joint Employer Liability
The United States Department of Labor issued its Final Rule on Joint Employer Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The new Rule, which will become effective March 16, 2020, is a departure from the legal interpretation adopted by the Obama Administration, and the interpretation by the National Labor Relations Board, both of which significantly expanded joint employer liability.
DOL Increases Salary Basis Test for Exempt Workers
After five years of fits and starts — which we covered here, here, here, and here — the federal Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized its regulations related to the salary basis test for the so-called white collar exemptions to overtime. Effective January 1, 2020, the salary basis will increase from $455 per week ($23,660 per year) to $684 per week ($35,568 per year).
Department of Labor Again Seeks to Increase the Minimum Salary for Exempt Workers
Earlier this month, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks — again — to raise the minimum salary threshold for employees classified as exempt pursuant to one of the so-called “white collar” exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees.
Ninth Circuit Limits the Use of Tip Credits
On September 18, 2018, the Ninth Circuit, sitting en banc, considered whether fourteen former servers and bartenders were entitled to back wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for time spent engaged in non-tipped tasks.
U.S. Supreme Court Restores Status Quo for Automobile Service Advisors
On April 2, 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, resolved a circuit split by concluding that auto dealership service advisors are exempt from the overtime requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).
Publications & Presentations
Panelist, “From Fiction to Reality: The Evolution of Consumer-Grade AI to Law Firms,” August 2022
“Telecommuting and Flexible Work Schedules,” Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, June 2021
“Department of Labor Announces Final Rule on Joint Employer Liability,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, January 2021
Podcast, “Employment Laws & COVID Considerations,” Boiled Down, November 2020
“ADA Considerations Related to the Pandemic,” May 2020
Panelist, “Tools to Survive the COVID-19 Economy: CARES Act SBA Loans, Employment Laws, and Corporate Issues,“ April 2020
”Department of Labor Announces Final Rule on Joint Employer Liability,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, January 2020
“DOL Increases Salary Basis Test for Exempt Workers,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, September 2019
“Discovery in Labor and Employment Law,” Fifth Annual Labor and Employment Law Boot Camp, Oregon State Bar, June 2019
“Internal HR and ER Investigations,” Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, May 2019
“Addressing & Mitigating Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace,” Nonprofit Association of Oregon, November 2018
“Ninth Circuit Limits the Use of Tip Credits,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, September 2018
“Employment Practice Liability: Coping with the Growing Risks of Workplace Misconduct,” Oregon Business, June 2018
“U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Enforceability of Class Action Waivers in Arbitration Agreements,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, May 2018
“U.S. Supreme Court Restores Status Quo for Automobile Service Advisors,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2018
“Supreme Court to Again Evaluate Whether Auto Service Advisors Are Exempt from Overtime,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, October 2017
“Federal District Court Invalidates the DOL’s Overtime Rules,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, September 2017
“Big Changes for Large Employers: Oregon Legislature Passes Fair Work Week Act,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, June 2017
“Employment Law Q&A for Startups,” August 2016
“Labor & Employment Update,” Real Benefits Group, June 2016
“The DOL’s Increased Salary Requirements for White Collar and Highly Compensated Workers,” Association of Corporate Counsel of Oregon Newsletter, June 2016
“Employee Handbooks for Startups,” March 2016
“Exempt from Overtime? Maybe Not – The Rules Are Changing,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, November 2015
“NLRB Limits Ability of Employers to Ban Use of Cameras in Workplace,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, October 2015
“Best Practices in Drafting Independent Contractor Agreements,” Matthew Bender, August 2013
“While You Were Sleeping – A Wake-Up Call About Class Action Risks,” Client Round-Table, June 2012
“EEOC Issues New Guidance on Background Checks – ‘Business Necessity’ Standard Now Applies,” Paul Hastings Client Alert, May 2012
“Employee Classifications: Getting the C-Suite’s Ear,” Inside Counsel, December 2011
“‘Going Rogue’ Vendor Control in the Age of HR Outsourcing,” The Recorder, December 2011