Client Collaborations

Negotiated and favorably resolved discrimination and retaliation claims on behalf of private religious university.

Favorably resolved former employee’s claims against public university that alleged discrimination based on race and gender as well as violations of the Oregon Equal Pay Act.

Davidson v. UBS/Paine Webber, et al. The arbitration panel denied claimant’s claims and awarded our client damages on its counterclaim. The claimant, a former employee, asserted numerous claims, including employer retaliation for “whistleblowing” related to alleged violations of SEC regulations. Our client asserted a counterclaim for breach of contract.

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.