Elizabeth A. Semler

Partner, Employment Group Chair

Assistant: Jennifer M. Langlois: 503.243.1661 x 254

Practice Areas

Overview

Ms. Semler assists clients in a broad range of business and employment matters.  She represents parties in business disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitration, including disputes arising from contracts, franchises, intra-corporate relationships, and lender liability.  Ms. Semler's employment practice includes representing employers in court and before administrative agencies.  She also provides advice, training and counsel to employers on a wide range of employment-related topics including: employee discipline and termination; issues related to competition and solicitation, and confidentiality; appropriate and effective employee documentation; harassment and discrimination investigations; sick, medical, and disability leave, wage and hour issues, and severance agreements.
 
Elizabeth frequently writes and speaks on issues relating to employment law including, the federal and Oregon Family Leave Acts, Title VII and Oregon's anti-discrimination laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act (and corresponding Oregon statutes), and issues relating to independent contractors versus employees.  Elizabeth came to Sussman Shank in 1998 after starting her legal career in 1992 as an associate with Rosen & Reade, LLP in New York.
 
Elizabeth's cases include representation of such clients as Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc., Backyard Birdshop, EmpRes Healthcare, Inc., Bridge City Cafe, BeginRight Employment Services and Realty Trust Company.

Education

B.A., Colgate University
J.D., Emory University School of Law

Admitted to Practice

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Oregon State Bar
      U.S. District Court, Oregon
New York State Bar
      U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Washington State Bar Association

Professional Organizations

American Bar Association
      Business Law
      Labor and Employment Law
      Litigation
Multnomah Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Oregon State Bar
      Federal Practice and Procedure Committee, Chair (2010)
      Leadership College, Fellow (2007)
      Quality of Life Committee, Chair (2006)
      Business Litigation Section, Executive Committee (2015)
      Labor and Employment Section, Executive Committee (2016)
      Oregon Women Lawyers
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Washington State Bar Association

Articles

Speaking Engagements

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America: Portland Chapter Meeting (2016)
Training Supervisors To Respond To Employee Absences:  Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) 2015
City of Portland Paid Sick Leave Ordinance:  Oregon Health Care Association (2014)
Social Media Policies and Employee use of Personal Electronic Devices:  Oregon Bankers Association (2014)
Workplace Harassment:  Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) (2013)
Enforcement of Noncompetition Agreements:  Oregon State Bar Webinar (2013) Termination Practices to Avoid Employment Litigation: Oregon State Bar Webcast CLE (2012)
Developing an Employee Handbook: Bureau of Labor and Industries Annual Conference (2012)
Termination Trips, Traps and Best Practices: Bureau of Labor and Industries Conference (2011)
A Ride From BOLI to Court: National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) (2004)
Annual Employment Law Seminar: Sussman Shank LLP (2003-2006, 2008)
Employment Law Conference 2009: Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
Federal and Oregon Leave Laws: Lorman Education Services (2002)
Wage and Hour Laws: Lorman Education Services (2002)