Experience

Carolyn Walker is a partner of the firm practicing in the Labor and Employment practice group. She has extensive experience litigating and counseling clients on a wide a variety of employment matters including retaliation; wrongful discharge claims based on race, ethnic origin and religion; FMLA and state leave laws, sexual and racial harassment; disability discrimination; discipline and discharge; wage and hour; breaches of employment contracts; and tort claims arising in the employment context.

Additionally, Carolyn investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination and responds to governmental agency complaints filed against employers. She has represented clients in jury trials; in arbitrations and mediations; and before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Of Counsel, Vantage Legal Solutions, LLC in Chicago, Illinois (2006-2008); vice president of Business and Legal Operations, Cosmic Knits, Inc. in Portland, Oregon (2005-2007); shareholder, Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, LLP (2000-2005), associate in Portland, Oregon (1997-1999); associate, Lindow & Treat, LLP in San Antonio, Texas (1996-1997); associate, Jones Kurth & Treat, PC in San Antonio, Texas (1992-1996); associate, Fulbright & Jaworski in San Antonio, Texas (1991-1992); systems analyst, Chrysler Motors Corporation (1986-1988).

Professional Honors & Activities

• Member, National Employment Law Council
• Former commissioner, Government Standards and Practices Commission for state of Oregon
• Former member, Judicial Screening Committee, Multnomah County Bar Association

Presentations

• Speaker, "Health Care Reform: Implications for Employers and Employer-Sponsored Health Plans," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, June 9, 2010
• Speaker, "Injured Workers and OSHA Compliance," SHRM Eighth Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference, Mar. 11, 2010
• Speaker, "Workplace Investigations of Employment Issues for Paralegals," Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association, Jan. 20, 2010
• Speaker, "Managing the Injured Worker," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Oct. 20, 2009
• Speaker, "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat: Discrimination and Retaliation Basics," SHRM Seventh Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference, Mar. 4, 2009
• Speaker, "Staying Dry in the Downturn's Deluge Without a Tarp – Some Thoughts for General Counsel," Stoel Rives General Counsel Roundtable, Dec. 11, 2008
• Speaker, "Noncompetes, Nonsolicitation and Confidentiality: Lessons Learned after a Year Under Oregon's New Noncompete Law," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Sep. 25, 2008
• Speaker, "Dispute Resolution from the Experts: Mediation Ethics – Mediating Over, Under, Around, and Through the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct," Oregon State Bar, Sep. 19, 2008
• Speaker, "Avoiding Hiring Hazards," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Aug. 28, 2008
• Speaker, "A Bad Day at the Office: Mock Deposition of an HR Manager," Lane Powell Spears Lubersky Breakfast Series, 2004
• Speaker, "2003 Wage and Hour Update," Lorman Education Services, 2003
• Speaker, "Effective Supervisory Practices," Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, 2002
• Speaker, "Ten Tips for Your Handbook Review in Oregon," Lorman Education Services, 2002

Civic Activities

• Board member, Friends of the Children (Portland)
• Trustee, Oregon Independent College Foundation

Education

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1991
  University of Michigan Book Award in Writing and Advocacy
  University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
  Black Law Students Alliance
  Central Student Judiciary
• Eastern Michigan University, B.S., 1986
  Dean's list
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
  Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Admissions

• Oregon
• Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Districts of Oregon and Texas

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