Overview
Hannah LaChance counsels businesses, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions as they navigate complex employment challenges. She is adept at defending employers in employment-related disputes and developing proactive HR compliance advice. Hannah has considerable experience drafting legal motions, including motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and appellate briefs, and has conducted presentations and trainings for clients, including a bilingual presentation.
Before joining Stoel Rives, Hannah was an attorney and law clerk with a Portland-area employment law firm, a legal clinic coordinator for the Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and a summer law clerk for Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Douglas County.
Education
Lewis & Clark College of Law, J.D., 2024, summa cum laude; editor/member, Lewis & Clark Law Review; president, Women’s Law Caucus
Franklin & Marshall College, B.A., Spanish and Philosophy, 2019, magna cum laude; recipient, Marshall Fellowship
Admissions
Oregon
Washington
Languages
- Spanish
Experience
Employment Litigation
- Defended and secured voluntary dismissal of private employer in ERISA successor liability case.
- Represented private employer in claims alleging disability discrimination.
- Represented small nonprofit organization against claims of whistleblower retaliation.
- Represented large state-wide nonprofit organization against multiple BOLI charges involving claims of race discrimination, age discrimination, and whistleblower retaliation.
- Defended local bank against BOLI charge alleging claims of whistleblower retaliation and disability discrimination.
- Represented private employer in claims alleging wage violations.
Employment Advice, Counsel, and Training
- Conducted human resources due diligence for private employer acquiring small company.
- Advised nonprofit organizations on compliance with executive orders.
- Tailored comprehensive employee handbooks for companies and non-profit corporations.
- Administered a comprehensive HR audit of accounting firm to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
- Drafted severance agreements for a professional services firm, helping to avoid costly future litigation.
- Developed workplace trainings for employers on topics ranging from general legal updates to work visas and leave policies.
- Conducted in depth bilingual management training at manufacturing facility.
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “New Liability for Property Owners and General Contractor,” Daily Journal of Commerce, July 24, 2025
- “OSHA Fines Increased in 2025,” Cascade Business News, January 27, 2025
- Presenter, “2024 Employment Law Update”, Oregon and SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruiters, November 1, 2024
- “Washington Draft Rules on Equal Pay,” Oregon Business Report, September 17, 2024
- “NLRB Regional Director Pursuing Charge That Amazon Is a Joint Employer with Its Contractor for Delivery Drivers,” Oregon Business Report, September 4, 2024
- “Do Your Employees Wear Uniforms? NLRB Determines That Employees Are Protected in Wearing Black Lives Matter Pins at Work,” Cascade Business News, April 3, 2024
- “So, You’re Hiring a Summer Intern…What About Payment?” Daily Journal of Commerce, March 22, 2024; Republished in New England Biz Law Update, April 2, 2024
- “Why 2024 is the Year to Write It Down: The Importance of Employer Documentation & Discipline,” Cascade Business News, February 7, 2024
- “NLRB Updates Its Standards for Unionizing a Workplace,” The Daily Reporter, January 26, 2024; New England Biz Law Update, January 30, 2024
- “The NLRB Updates Its Standards for Unionizing a Workplace,” Daily Journal of Commerce, January 25, 2024
- Co-presenter “Pitfalls & Best Practices for Making the Most of Hybrid & Virtual Work Arrangements,” ABA CLE, January 24, 2024
- “Legal Considerations & Best Practices for Employers Utilizing Temporary Employees,” Independent Electrical Contractors Association Employer News, October 2, 2023
- “Wage & Hour: Ensuring Compliance in a Remote Workplace,” com Legal & Compliance Excellence Issue, August 31, 2023
- “In Wake of Court Decision, Review Religious Accommodation Policies,” Daily Journal of Commerce, August 23, 2023
- “New Guidance on AI Use in HR Processes,” Cascade Business News, August 2, 2023
- “Joint Employment: What It Is & Why It Matters to Your Business,” Cascade Business News, July 5, 2023
- “New Law Brings Aspects of Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA into Alignment,” Daily Journal of Commerce, June 23, 2023
Affiliations
Professional
- Member, Campaign for Equal Justice, Associates Committee, 2025–present
- Member, Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Pro Bono Committee, 2025–present
Civic
- Member, Oregon Casa Network Board, 2025–present
- Member, Rose Haven Human Resources Committee, 2025–present