Matt Heldt

Labor and employment attorneys Rachel Timmins and Matt Heldt gave an introduction to employment law to an audience of paralegals at the recent annual convention of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). In their presentation, the two attorneys provided an overview of common employment claims relating to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accommodations, and wage and hour issues.

Tonkon Torp labor and employment attorney Matt Heldt has joined the Emerging Professionals Board at Blanchet House, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, hygiene items, community, and transitional recovery programs to thousands of people every year.

Tonkon Torp LLP is pleased to welcome two new associates to the firm: Matt Heldt, who joins our Labor & Employment Practice Group, and Lindsay Willson, who will work in our Estate Planning Practice Group.

By Matt Heldt – Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now become a part of daily life. While its benefits, such as efficiency and resourcefulness, are hard to deny, so are situations where AI does not work as advertised. Workplaces are no exception to this tension. The legal considerations around using AI in the workplace evolve nearly as quickly as the technology itself. Some fundamental questions, however, remain consistent and important to consider throughout this progress.

By Matt Heldt – Starting January 1, 2026, Oregon employers hiring employees must comply with new disclosure requirements around employee compensation. SB 906, which goes into effect on January 1, will require Oregon employers to provide a written explanation of earnings and deductions, at the time of hire, to new employees.

By Matt Heldt – Oregon is expanding licensing requirements for businesses that lease employees. This legislative session, the Oregon legislature enacted HB 2800, which amends Oregon’s employee leasing law. Starting July 2027, entities that share their employees with third parties will need to be licensed before leasing employees to another business, regardless of whether they receive a fee for doing so.

By Matt Heldt – Washington employers will soon be subject to new, more burdensome rules under recent amendments to the Washington Fair Chance Act. Passed this legislative session, HB 1747 goes into effect on July 1, 2026 for employers with 15 or more employees, and on July 1, 2027 for all Washington employers regardless of size.

By Matt Heldt – This week, the Washington Legislature passed HB 1308, a bill that, if signed into law, will change Washington employer’s responsibilities for personnel file requests. While not yet in effect, the governor will likely sign the bill with no changes, imposing these requirements on Washington employers starting in late July.