Employment Legal Services

When people think about what attorneys do, they often think of them trying cases before a jury. While the attorneys in our firm try cases in court, we also assist our clients in many other ways. The attorneys at the Dolan Law Group will help evaluate your legal issues and determine the best course of action based on your specific circumstances and goals. Our attorneys are experienced in providing a wide range of legal services to our clients.

Advice & Problem Solving

Attorneys can help clients in many ways other than filing lawsuits. Not all employment issues will call for legal action and sometimes clients are not ready to formally involve an attorney.

We advise clients who want to confer with an attorney for the limited purpose of seeking legal advice to help them make a decision. We are skilled at finding creative solutions to employment problems.

Because the attorneys at our firm have extensive experience representing both employees and employers, we are in a unique position to understand and utilize strategic approaches to address issues in the workplace. We help counsel employees in ways that will protect their workplace rights. We help employers safeguard themselves from litigation.

Litigation

When problem solving is not sufficient to resolve an issue, litigation is often necessary. Litigation involves bringing or defending a lawsuit in court. Once litigation has begun, unless there is some kind of resolution or settlement, the parties will try the case before a judge or jury. The attorneys of the Dolan Law Group have a reputation as committed and skilled litigators in the community. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts of Oregon and Washington. Our attorneys work closely together in litigation teams to effectively and efficiently represent our clients.

We litigate all types of employment claims. These include cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, family medical leave, whistleblowing, injured workers’ rights, wage & hour issues, workplace health & safety, employment agreements and civil rights violations. Though most of the cases we litigate are employment matters, we also represent clients in several different types of general civil litigation.

Arbitration

Unlike litigation, arbitration generally does not involve the court system. Arbitration is a process where the parties submit their dispute to the judgment of an impartial third person called an arbitrator or to a panel of arbitrators. In the employment context, arbitration generally occurs as a result of a contractual agreement to arbitrate a dispute arising from the employment relationship. Arbitration can also be required by statute or by mutual agreement of the parties. The attorneys at our firm have experience representing clients in arbitration proceedings. We also review arbitration agreements for legal enforceability.

We arbitrate all types of employment claims as well as other types of civil claims. These include cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, family medical leave, whistleblowing, injured workers’ rights, wage & hour issues, workplace health & safety, employment agreements, civil rights violations and other general civil matters.

Negotiation & Mediation

More often than not, disputes between parties can be resolved without going to trial. In fact, very few cases ever make it to trial. Most cases are settled through negotiation between the parties or through mediation.

Negotiation is an informal process where the attorneys representing the parties work with each other to resolve or settle the dispute. This can be an effective and economic way to resolve employment matters.

Mediation, on the other hand, is a formal process where the parties agree to enlist the help of a neutral third party, called a mediator, who helps facilitate settlement between the parties. Mediators are typically attorneys who specialize in mediation, sitting judges or former judges. Because of the extensive experience mediators have in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses in cases, they are often effective in accomplishing settlement. There may or may not be costs involved in using a mediator, depending on who the parties choose to mediate the dispute.

The attorneys at the Dolan Law Group are knowledgeable and experienced in using negotiation and mediation to resolve a case in the course of litigation. We are also familiar with ways in which negotiation and mediation can be used as a tool to prevent litigation. Whatever the situation, we can provide guidance as to what the best approach would be to resolve an employment dispute. We negotiate and mediate all types of employment related claims as well as other types of civil claims. Cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, family medical leave, whistleblowing, injured workers’ rights, wage & hour issues, workplace health & safety, employment agreements, civil rights violations and other general civil matters are some of the types of cases we negotiate and mediate.

Administrative Hearings

Many employment disputes are brought before state and federal administrative agencies. These agencies have the jurisdiction to hear certain types of cases. Specific procedures and rules of evidence apply. The proceedings are much less formal than those of a courtroom, but the issues addressed are no less important. For example, licensing issues are often dealt within the administrative hearing context.

We assist and represent employees in many types of administrative hearings with the same diligence as if your case were held in a more formal court setting. We can assist clients in preparing applications and paperwork. We can ensure that the proper procedures and followed, deadlines observed and your rights protected. We can also represent clients who appear before agencies. This representation includes obtaining and presenting evidence, preparing witnesses, cross examining witnesses and making arguments. We can also assist clients in appealing an agency decision.

The attorneys at the Dolan Law Group have appeared before numerous administrative agencies, for example, the Employment Department, Employment Appeals Board, Employment Relations Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, Nursing Board, Oregon School Board Association and the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission.

Appeals

Not all cases end at the trial court or administrative agency level. When a party is not successful at trial or in an administrative proceeding, that party may have the right to appeal the decision to an appellate court.

Our attorneys can handle your appeal in both state and federal appellate courts and have a successful track record in doing so.