A Warm Welcome: How Stoel Rives Builds Community Across Offices

Karen O'Connor
Partner, Labor & Employment

Abstract

Karen O’Connor, Partner in the Labor & Employment Group, reflects on her recent move from Stoel Rives’ Portland office to Boise after spending her entire career in one city. While she admits to feeling some nerves about the transition, O’Connor was immediately struck by the warm reception from her new colleagues. On her first day, team members stopped by to introduce themselves, offer local tips, and ensure she had everything she needed—from lunch recommendations to office supplies. For O’Connor, this experience underscored the firm’s commitment to fostering a genuine sense of community that transcends office locations and practice areas. She describes Stoel Rives as a place where people see and celebrate one another, creating a welcoming culture that makes joining any office feel like coming home.

Transcript

My name is Karen O'Connor. I am a partner in the Labor and Employment Group, formerly of the Portland office, recently moved to the Boise office. I counsel clients in complex employment situations and then help them navigate those situations when they become litigation.

I recently moved over to our Boise office after practicing in Portland for my entire professional career. I was kind of nervous. You get really used to your routine and how everything works, and that you know where everything is and everybody knows you. So, I got here, and I got to my office and my name is on the door, which is really exciting. But the first day, almost everyone that walked by my office poked their head in to introduce themselves and to say hi and to make sure I knew like, hey, do you know where to get lunch, or can I show you where the pens and the sticky notes are? I mean, they were extraordinarily welcoming, which I think is a real reflection of who we are as a firm, that we really do have a community and it does not really matter what office you are in or what practice group you are in. It is a very warm and welcoming culture where people really see each other for who we are and celebrate that. It just felt really nice.