Experience

Dennis Westlind practices in the firm's Labor and Employment group. His practice focuses on employment litigation as well as traditional labor law. Dennis has extensive experience in National Labor Relations Board proceedings, labor arbitrations and contract negotiations, employment discrimination cases before administrative agencies as well as state and federal courts, wrongful discharge litigation, wage and hour claims, and general personnel management. His cases have included issues involving wrongful discharge, harassment, retaliation, discrimination, workplace torts, wage and hour disputes, and workplace violence.

Dennis also counsels employers on all aspects of labor- and employment-related issues. He has substantial experience in drafting and reviewing employee handbooks, conducting investigations, collective bargaining, training workers and regularly advising employers on the day-to-day administration of labor and employment law.

Dennis is the principal author and editor of Stoel Rives' online World of Work blog (www.worldofworklawblog.com) and is the author of the monthly World of Work newsletter.

Representative Work

• Represented nationwide logistics company and two subsidiaries in a federal jury trial regarding allegations of age and sex discrimination. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of all claims against the company and one subsidiary; following a one-week trial, the jury found in favor of the remaining subsidiary.
• Represented nationwide retailer in Oregon's first jury trial involving claims of transgender discrimination. Following a two week trial, the jury exonerated the client of all charges.
• Represented employer in a grievance arbitration seeking to reinstate an employee terminated for driving the company vehicle while intoxicated. The arbitrator found in favor of the employer and denied reinstatement.
• Represented employer in responding to a union drive to organize over 100 health care workers. Following an intense nine-month campaign, including defending multiple unfair labor practice charges, the union voluntarily withdrew its petition.
• Represented a major financial institution in a two-week federal jury trial regarding allegations of age discrimination and retaliation. The jury found in favor of the client.

Professional Honors & Activities

• Selected as an Oregon Rising Star, Employment and Labor, 2008-2009
• Selected as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" (Oregon, Up and Coming) by Chambers USA (currently: Labor & Employment), 2009-2010
• Member of the American Bar Association, the Multnomah Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar Association's Labor and Employment Section
• Volunteer, South East Legal Clinic; Domestic Violence Project

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Dennis frequently speaks on employment and labor law issues, including employment discrimination, state and federal family leave, labor unions, state and federal wage and hour issues, effective supervisory practices, and appropriate workplace conduct.

Presentations

• "The Employee Free Choice Act and Beyond," Stoel Rives LLP, 2009
• "Legislative Update 2009," Labor and Employment Relations Association, 2009
• "Rekindling the ADA," Stoel Rives LLP, 2008
• "Hot Topics in Employment law," Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section Annual Meeting, 2008
• "Avoiding Hiring Hazards," Stoel Rives LLP, 2008
• "Using the Civil Litigator's Tools in Capital PCR Litigation," Federal Defender's Office, 2008
• "Legislative Update 2007," Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section Annual Meeting, 2007
• "Recent Developments in Federal Labor Law," Society for Human Resources Management, 2007
• "Employer Responses to Workplace Violence," Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Annual Conference, 2007
• "A Practical Approach to Union Organizing," Oregon Health Care Association, 2007
• "White Hot Labor Law Issues," Stoel Rives LLP, 2007
• "Documentation, Discharge and Discipline: Effective Supervisory Practices," Bureau of Labor and Industries, 2006
• "FMLA Update 2006," Council on Education and Management, 2005
• "Legislative Update 2005," Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section Annual Meeting, 2005

Education

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 2000, magna cum laude
  Order of the Coif
• Lund University, Sweden, Ph.D., 1996
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Lund, Sweden, 1991-1992
• University of Oregon, B.A., 1991, magna cum laude
  Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

• Oregon
• Washington
• U.S. District Court for the Ninth Circuit District of Oregon

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