Employment and Labor Law

Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue is a Portland firm dedicated to partnering with our employer clients. Our employment and labor practice is a key and dynamic part of the firm. We draw from diverse backgrounds and can, as a result, offer practical, solution-driven assistance in all aspects of managing the workplace, avoiding risk and resolving labor relations disputes. We provide guidance and representation to our clients in the board room and in the courtroom.

Our Practice

Employment Advice & Counsel

Our employment law attorneys bring broad practical and legal knowledge to the table as we guide clients through day-to-day employee management and performance issues. We believe in the power of prevention, and thus we assist clients in anticipating litigation risks and resolving employee concerns at the lowest possible level and earliest possible time. We do this by helping develop and maintain effective employee management tools; training managers, supervisors, and human resources personnel about legal landmines and preventative strategies; assisting with employment practice audits; and counseling clients through a variety of difficult situations–from performance counseling to investigating complaints of unlawful workplace harassment or violence. We also help clients keep their workplace policies, internal procedure and retirement or compensation plans current and in compliance with various state and federal requirements. Finally, we draft Noncompetition Agreements and trade secret protection strategies that are effective and enforceable.

Litigation

Beyond our focus on prevention, we also serve as zealous and skilled advocates in situations where disputes escalate to administrative proceedings or litigation. We have extensive experience representing employers in all forums and in all employment-related claims, including those involving allegations of:

Wrongful discharge.
Unlawful employment practices.
Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Disability-related and OFLA/FMLA leave issues.
Wage and hour, prevailing wage or pay practice deficiencies.

We also represent clients in the enforcement or avoidance of Noncompetition Agreements or other disputes focusing on concerns about unfair competition. We believe each case must be assessed on its unique facts and the resolution strategy that best meets the client’s needs and objectives should be developed as early in the process as possible. Labor Relations Union avoidance is on the minds of an increasing number of Oregon businesses. This is particularly true in targeted industries such as health care, hospitality and construction. Our labor relations team members help employers understand and navigate through the organizing process, create a strategic approach to negotiating a first labor agreement, and avoid unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

For those employers who already have a unionized workforce, we work with management to effectively resolve grievances and advocate during arbitrations, as well as participate in collective bargaining, either directly or as strategic counsel behind the scenes. Finally, when called, we assist employers with keeping the doors open during a strike or boycott.

Team Members

Allyson S. Krueger - Leader of the Employment & Labor Law Team
Robert “Bob” Allen
John R. Barhoum
Timothy J. Bernasek
Elissa M. Boyd
George J. “Jack” Cooper
Anne D. Foster
Samuel T. Smith
Renee R. Stineman

Our Commitment to Our Clients

We value the trust and confidence placed in us by our clients and strive to provide effective, high-quality and cost-efficient representation. We also provide value-added services that enhance communication and understanding about developing issues in the law. For example, our firm’s E-mail Alerts are offered to keep clients abreast of continuing changes in employment law. Similarly, our Breakfast Briefings provide information about emerging legal issues and a chance to ask questions about the impact of changes on current practices or employees.