How I represent clients and Schwabe

As an employment lawyer, and member of Schwabe’s talented Healthcare and Life Sciences and Natural Resources industry groups, I’m dedicated to providing outstanding legal representation and proactive advice and counseling to help businesses navigate complex employment, healthcare, and other legal matters to minimize the risk of litigation and advance key business goals. I have a strong record of helping my clients avoid litigation in the first place, but when necessary I also defend businesses in lawsuits and administrative proceedings before state and federal courts and agencies. Ultimately, I understand that businesses are made of people, and people have ‎unique backgrounds, perspectives, motivations, goals, and ‎feelings that inevitably impact their relationships, ‎interactions, and decisions in the workplace and other ‎business settings. 

Diverse background to help supplement stronger counsel

For more than a decade, I have represented, advised, and provided litigation defense services to public and private employers of all sizes, with a particular focus working within the healthcare industry, and with nonprofits and small local and regional businesses. Some of the other industries I have counseled within include technology, insurance, food processing, construction, transportation and logistics, energy, and utilities.

Throughout my career, I have guided clients through compliance matters on state and federal employment laws; prepared and revised employee handbooks and personnel policies; defended claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination; and given direction on medical malpractice, HIPAA, and other data privacy laws. My diverse experience enables me to identify strategically the most effective approach to my clients’ needs while keeping their objective front of mind.

Bar Admissions

• Oregon State Courts (2009)
• U.S. District Court, District of Oregon (2010)
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington (2015)
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (2014)
• Washington State Courts (2014)

Education

• Lewis & Clark Law School, Juris Doctor, cum laude (2009‎)
• California State University, Chico, Bachelor of Arts degree, Political Science-Legal Studies and Minor in International Relations, cum laude (2004)‎

Healthcare law experience

▪ Advises on HIPAA, health information privacy, and other data privacy laws

▪ Oversees and advises on retaliation and whistleblower claims related to patient health and safety

▪ Counsels employers on employee performance and discipline issues related to clinical practices

▪ Guides employers through medical malpractice litigation defense

▪ Provides risk assessment from both a corporate and clinical perspective

Employment advice and counseling

▪ Represents and advises employers on compliance with state and federal employment laws including family and medical leave, paid family medical leave, paid sick time, pay equity, wage and hour, predictive scheduling, workplace safety, and COVID-related regulations

▪ Assists with disability/religion accommodation requests and the interactive process

▪ Prepares and revises employee handbooks, personnel policies, and HR/supervisor training

▪ Consults on internal investigations of employee misconduct or complaints

▪ Counsels on employee performance and disciplinary matters and separations, including drafting and negotiating separation agreements

▪ Consults risk assessments and advises regarding employment, contract, and related business matters

▪ Guides human resources and management personnel to improve internal processes and prevent and resolve disputes

▪ Drafts employment and non-competition/non-solicitation/non-disclosure agreements and helps resolve post-employment disputes

▪ Advises on I-9 employment eligibility verification compliance and federal agency investigations

▪ Drafts responses to subpoenas and requests for information

Employment litigation and administrative matters

▪ Defends claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour, leave law violations, and contract disputes

▪ Counsels on witness interviews, case assessment, defense strategy development and implementation, and project and case management and supports clients through the litigation process

▪ Drafts and advises on pleadings and position statements

▪ Drafts and advises on discovery, e-discovery, and document review

▪ Drafts and advises on procedural, discovery, and dispositive motion practices

▪ Takes and defends depositions

▪ Conducts mediations and informal negotiations

▪ Thoroughly experienced with trial and arbitration

• National Labor Relations Board Rules that Non-Disparagement and Confidentiality Provisions in Separation Agreements May Violate Section 7 of the NLRA
• What Else Happened During COVID: A Recap of Non-COVID-Related Employment Law Changes in Oregon Since 2020
• New Oregon Agriculture Overtime Requirements and Tax Credits Begin January 1, 2023
• Blurred Lines in Healthcare Employment: HIPAA Implications When Employees are Patients
• Be Ready: Paid Leave Oregon Is (Finally) Coming
• Surprise Medical Bills in the Crosshairs: Supreme Court Decision Places Additional Obligations on Health Care Providers
• Fueling Change Innovating for Good

Seminar

• Paid Leave Oregon: Best Practices, Preparation, and Compliance for Farmers and Ranchers
• Best Practices, Preparation, and Compliance for Paid Leave Oregon
• Energy Forum: Attracting and Retaining Talent in the Energy/Utility Sector