Employment Lawyer Portland, Oregon
Portland’s Workforce Deserves Strong Legal Representation
Portland is Oregon’s largest city and its primary employment center — home to a diverse workforce spanning healthcare, technology, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and the public sector. Major employers including Providence Health & Services, Intel (across the Portland metro), Nike, and OHSU employ thousands of workers in and around the city. Where there are large employers and large workforces, there are employment law violations — and Portland workers need attorneys who know how to fight back.
At Wilshire Law Firm, our Oregon licensed employment attorneys represent Portland workers in wrongful termination, unpaid wages, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation claims. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless you get paid.
Oregon Employment Law in Portland
Portland workers are protected by Oregon state law — enforced by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) — as well as federal law. Oregon’s protections are among the strongest in the country, and Portland workers benefit from the full scope of those rights:
- ORS 659A protections against discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, and other characteristics
- Oregon Equal Pay Act — requiring equal pay for comparable work, with strong remedies for violations
- Paid Leave Oregon — up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave
- Final paycheck rules — terminated employees must receive their final check by the end of the next business day, with penalty wages of up to 30 days’ pay for violations
- Oregon penalty wages — one of the most powerful wage recovery tools in the country, unique to Oregon law
Employment claims filed in Portland are heard in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon’s largest trial court, located in downtown Portland. Federal employment claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, also located in Portland.
Employment Cases We Handle in Portland
Our Portland employment attorneys handle the full range of workplace claims, including:
- Wrongful termination — fired for discriminatory reasons, in retaliation, or in violation of public policy
- Unpaid wages and overtime — including final paycheck violations and Oregon penalty wages
- Workplace discrimination — race, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and more
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment
- Retaliation — for reporting violations, taking protected leave, or filing a complaint with BOLI or OSHA
Frequently Asked Questions — Portland Employment Lawyer
Q: Where do Portland employment cases get filed?
A: State employment claims in Portland are filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Federal claims — such as those under Title VII or the ADA — are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, located in Portland. BOLI complaints can be filed online or at BOLI’s Portland office.
Q: How long do I have to file an employment claim in Portland?
A: Deadlines vary by claim type. Under ORS 659A, you have 1 year to file with BOLI and 2 years to file a civil lawsuit. Oregon wage claims generally have a 6-year statute of limitations. Do not wait — consult an attorney promptly.
Q: Does Wilshire Law Firm handle cases throughout the Portland metro?
A: Yes. We represent workers throughout the greater Portland area, including Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and the surrounding communities in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.
Q: What does it cost to hire a Portland employment attorney?
A: We handle all Portland employment cases on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless you get paid. Court costs and case expenses may apply.
Contact Our Portland Employment Attorneys
If you are a Portland worker who has been wrongfully terminated, denied wages, or subjected to discrimination or harassment, call Wilshire Law Firm 24/7 for a free consultation. We can evaluate your case and explain your options at no cost.