Client Collaborations

Norman G. Lewis v. Washington State University, et al. Our client, a state university, won a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit which held that a tenured professor failed to establish a constitutionally protected property right to continue as project director of a federal grant. The decision was upheld on appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

Sibley v. Portland Public School District. Our client, Portland Public School District, won a jury verdict after a four-week trial, defeating claims by a former administrator who alleged “whistleblower” retaliation, defamation, “false light,” battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress when her position was eliminated after she raised concerns about safety in special education programs.

DeJong v. WinCo Foods, LLC. Won a jury verdict after a four-day trial defeating all claims arising from plaintiff’s termination of employment. Plaintiff alleged that he had been discriminated and retaliated against for utilizing the workers’ compensation system after an injury on the job.

Snider v. Barrett Business Services, Inc. Our client (the employer) won a unanimous jury verdict in a case brought by plaintiff, a disabled worker, for discrimination and retaliation in her employment. The judgment was affirmed by the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Spicer v. Cascade Health Services, Inc. We won a unanimous jury verdict in favor of our hospital client, the employer, after nearly three weeks of trial in federal court. Plaintiff, a nurse manager, brought claims against the hospital for discrimination, retaliation, and breach of confidentiality, based on her post-traumatic stress disorder. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed.

Downs v. Waremart, Inc. The Oregon Supreme Court affirmed summary judgment on behalf of our client, the employer, on all claims except for defamation (an issue of first impression), which was resolved by settlement on remand. The case was brought by a discharged employee who sought damages for a variety of claims arising from her discharge, including defamation.

Howard v. Waremart, Inc. After a five-day trial, the jury returned a verdict “in favor” of the plaintiff for only $2. This case involved a wrongful-discharge allegation and “whistleblower” claim brought by a former employee against our client. The court of appeals remanded the case for further proceedings because it disagreed with the trial court’s decision to grant a motion for directed verdict on the issue of punitive damages. The case then settled.

Byun, et al. v. Winco Foods, Inc. The trial judge dismissed all claims on our motion for directed verdict at the conclusion of plaintiffs’ case. The action was brought by five Korean grocers alleging violation of public accommodation statutes based on ethnic origin.

Obtained summary judgment dismissal of employment discrimination claim, when employee failed to return to work following exhaustion of injury leave, alleging disability discrimination.