We partner with our clients to attract, retain, and support employees, comply with all applicable laws, and manage disputes as they arise.
Every company— no matter its size or sophistication — will encounter employment issues. Successful and thoughtful resolution of those issues is critical. Tonkon Torp’s relationship-based approach offers practical solutions to companies large and small, including writing policies, strategizing regarding growth or downsizing, managing employee relations, protecting competitive information and market positions, litigation mitigation advice, and dealing with union activity.
Counseling & Training
Legal compliance is an essential. Our attorneys help companies with local, state, and federal employment laws, to proactively protect and enhance their workplace culture, as well as minimize exposure to litigation.
Counseling and training programs include:
- Developing and implementing appropriate policies, such as those related to harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
- Wage and hour practices
- State and federal leave compliance
- The ADA and reasonable accommodations
- The employee lifecycle, including application, hiring, evaluation, promotions/transfers, and separation
- OSHA and workplace safety
- Non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements
- Employment contracts, executive compensation, and employee benefits
- Closures, downsizing, and layoffs, including WARN compliance
- Prevention of workplace theft and violence
- Employee handbooks
- Affirmative action plans
- OFCCP audits
Labor Relations
We help employers navigate the full spectrum of labor relations and union issues, from collective bargaining and labor arbitrations to defending employers at the NLRB and in federal court. We effectively represent employers in connection with the following issues:
- Labor relations and union avoidance
- Unfair labor practice actions with the NLRB
- Strikes and injunctions
- Union organizing campaigns
- Representation elections
- Collective bargaining
- Union grievances and labor arbitrations
- Federal and state court injunctions
Employment Litigation
Even the best companies get sued. Our defense team is here to help. Our attorneys defend companies at all levels of federal and state courts, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies and tribunals.
Our litigation experience is vast, and includes lawsuits related to the following:
- Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation
- Whistleblowing
- Wage and hour claims, including class actions
- Family and medical leave laws, and disability claims
- Wrongful termination
- Torts, such as business interference and infliction of emotional distress
- Employment contracts, pensions, and employee benefits
- Trade secret misappropriation
- Employee mobility matters, such as non-compete and non-solicit agreements
Services + Industries
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Bar Admission
Schools
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Case Studies
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.
Tonkon Torp Brings Attorney Power to Renewable Energy Transaction
Tonkon Torp client Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA) is the North American subsidiary of one of the largest corporations in the world, the Italian electricity company Enel S.p.A. Here’s how we helped EGPNA in a renewable energy acquisition.
Fashion House Dooney & Bourke Wins with Tonkon Torp
Tonkon Torp’s trial attorneys were victorious in defending Dooney & Bourke, Inc., in a wage claims trial in the U. S. District Court in Portland. Their litigation team defended the high-end, Connecticut-based handbag manufacturer against wage claims made by a former independent sales representative.
Representative Matters
Guydish v. U.S. Bakery
(King County, WA Superior Court/Washington Court of Appeals) – Defended successfully, in trial court and on appeal, a class action seeking unpaid overtime on behalf of route sales persons for a regional company.
Class Action/Employment Law
Represented the nation's largest veterinary chain in a wage and hour class action in federal court in California, including substantial motions practice. (USDC Central District of California)
Mary Christ v. Employer
Obtained dismissal of unfair labor practice charges filed against local day spa by former employee who claimed she was terminated for union activity.
Patricia Lewey v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for national veterinary hospital in case involving claims of wrongful constructive discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress asserted by former employee.
Multi-Plaintiff Sexual Harassment Defense
Defended multi-plaintiff sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the EEOC, resulting in a dismissal of two of the plaintiffs and a favorable settlement with the remaining four plaintiffs.
Hamrick v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local bakery in federal lawsuit filed by former employee for disability discrimination and FMLA interference.
Sorokina v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local baker in lawsuit filed by former employee for age and gender discrimination and retaliation.
Case of First Impression
Successfully defended employer/client through summary judgment and successive appeals on a case of first impression regarding limitations on the reinstatement and reemployment rights for injured workers.
Sexual Harassment Defense
Defense verdict for client/employer in a sexual harassment claim by two female employees.
ADA Claim
Obtained a directed verdict at the close of a trial defending an ADA claim on behalf of employer/client.
Confidentiality Agreement Dispute
Represented business owner in confidentiality agreement dispute. Matter was settled to client's satisfaction
Champlin/GEI Management Company, Inc. v. Huseby
Defeated motion for temporary restraining order filed against executive in federal court based on alleged breach of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreement.
Shareholder Oppression Claims
Brought claims for minority shareholder oppression and employment discrimination. After obtaining partial summary judgment, we obtained a favorable settlement for our client.
Kristie Merrill et al. v. Employer
Conducted internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment asserted by one former employee and two current employees of central Oregon healthcare provider.
Jes Shelton v. Employer
Obtained favorable settlement for local affiliate of international nonprofit housing organization in lawsuit filed by former employee in federal court for whistleblower retaliation.
Frances Du Ju v. Employer
Won summary judgment in federal lawsuit for race discrimination and retaliation filed by former employee of international staffing agency.
Collective Bargaining with the Oregon Nurses Association
Negotiated on behalf of public hospital to successful contract.
Lightbourne v. Gresham Cosmetic Laser Center
Represented employer in termination litigation involving allegations of workers compensation and disability discrimination. Obtained favorable settlement of all claims.
Policy Development/Handbook Renew/Employee Training
Worked with client on policy development, handbook renew, and employee training information.
Representation of Municipal Ambulance Company
Represented a municipal ambulance company in regard to various employment and labor issues.
Medical Use of Marijuana Reasonable Accommodation
Successfully obtained summary judgment on employer's obligation to reasonably accommodate medical use of marijuana which was upheld on by State Supreme Court.
Policy Development
Assisted international athletic footwear company with crafting and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with new child abuse reporting legislation.
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.
Complete Summary Judgment Victory
Partner Kristin Bremer Moore and Associate Carlie Bacon won complete summary judgment for a large apartment complex in Oregon. After the plaintiff twice failed at the administrative level, he filed a lawsuit alleging various employment discrimination and retaliation claims. The case persisted for several years, during which time Kristin and Carlie won fees and costs as a sanction on a motion to compel after the plaintiff failed to fulfill discovery obligations. When the plaintiff failed to respond to Kristin and Carlie’s motion for summary judgment, the court granted the motion in its entirety, dismissing all of the plaintiff’s claims.
Services + Industries
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We encourage you to contact us if you have further questions about our firm or our experience. For your protection, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Accordingly, please do not send us any confidential or secret information about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from us that we represent you (an engagement letter).
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