Overview

Melissa (Missy) Healy represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law. She has a strong traditional labor background and regularly represents employers in collective bargaining and arbitrations, and before the National Labor Relations Board. She also has significant litigation experience and has first- or second-chaired over 25 jury trials and arbitrations. She frequently counsels clients on a wide range of labor and employment-related issues, conducts internal investigations for public- and private-sector clients, provides training to employees and management, and assists with the employment-related aspects of corporate transactions. She particularly enjoys working with in-house counsel, Human Resources professionals, and managers to craft thoughtful and effective solutions to complex workplace challenges and serving as their advocate in litigation. 

Born and raised in Albany, Oregon, Melissa works with clients throughout the state. She has experience representing clients in several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality.

Education

University of Arizona, J.D., 2009, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; Executive Note Editor and Writer, Arizona Law Review; Perry Rogers Scholar

University of Oregon, B.A., Political Science, 2004, summa cum laude with departmental honors

Admissions

Oregon

United States District Court for the District of Oregon

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Experience

Employment Litigation

  • Prevailed in multi-day arbitration proceeding involving sex discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • Obtained full summary judgment in lawsuits arising from implementation of COVID-19 vaccination policy for healthcare workers.
  • Obtained defense verdict for manufacturing client following jury trial on sex discrimination claims.
  • Obtained nuisance value settlement for manufacturing client following commencement of jury trial on retaliation claims.
  • Obtained full summary judgment in lawsuit alleging discrimination against and constructive discharge of pregnant healthcare employee.
  • Obtained full summary judgment in lawsuit alleging failure to accommodate current employee under the ADA.
  • Obtained full summary judgment in lawsuit alleging disability discrimination, family leave interference and retaliation.

Labor Relations

  • Served as lead spokesperson for multiple clients in collective bargaining.
  • Prevailed in multi-day Oregon Employment Relations Board proceeding involving implementation of COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers.
  • Prevailed in multiple class action arbitrations for healthcare system arising out of COVID-19 vaccination policy.
  • Prevailed in discharge arbitration for large healthcare client involving 20+ year nurse terminated for patient privacy violations.
  • Prevailed in contract interpretation arbitration for hospital client involving float employees.
  • Obtained dismissal of unfair labor practice charge against manufacturing client alleging termination based on union activity.
  • Prevailed in discharge arbitration for community-based, non-profit health organization involving pharmacist terminated for improper medication dispensation.
  • Prevailed in contract interpretation arbitration for healthcare client involving use of accrued vacation time.
  • Prevailed in discharge arbitration for non-profit organization involving employee terminated for attendance.
  • Obtained favorable settlement for construction client in matter involving termination of 8(f) agreement.

Employment Advice & Counsel

  • Regularly counsels clients on matters involving Paid Leave Oregon and other leave laws, disability issues, labor grievances and collective bargaining.
  • Conducts harassment, discrimination, performance management, and leave law training for employees and management.
  • Provides guidance to clients on labor and employment-related aspects of corporate transactions, including advising on successorship obligations and drafting employment and retention bonus agreements.
  • Conducts and advises on internal investigations for private and public sector employers concerning potential harassment, discrimination, and retaliation matters.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • Regularly contributes to the Stoel Rives World of Employment blog

  • “Union or Not, Strikes Happen: What Every Employer Needs to Know” (co-author), HR Daily Advisor, November 5, 2024

  • “Paid Leave Oregon & OFLA: The Latest and Greatest,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, June 2024
  • “Federal Contractors – Reminder to Certify Affirmative Action Programs” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP, May 14, 2024
  • “Paid Leave Oregon Update—The First 60 Days,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, November 2023
  • “Paid Leave Oregon—Beyond the Basics,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, June 2023
  • “Issues in the Modern Workforce,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 21st Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2023
  • “Paid Family Leave Laws,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 21st Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2023
  • “What’s on Our Mind in 2023: Workplace Trends and Legal Updates,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, February 2023
  • “Advanced Leave and Accommodation Issues for Defense Counsel,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention, June 2022
  • “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—Moving Forward from Discussion to Solutions,” The CFO Leadership Council, June 2022
  • “Law School for the CFO: Employment Law Issues,” The CFO Leadership Council, April 2022
  • “Accommodations,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2022
  • “2 Things for Manufacturers to Keep in Mind About Mental Health Issues in the Workplace” (co-author), Portland Business Journal, November 2021
  • “Mental Health in the 2021 Workplace,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, September 2021
  • “Oregon’s Health Care Vaccine Mandate,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, September 2021
  • “Returning to In-Person Work,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, May 2021
  • “The Latest and Greatest in Oregon Employment Law,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, April 2021
  • “The Leave Law Jigsaw Puzzle,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 19th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2021
  • “Law School for the CFO: Employment Law Issues,” The CFO Leadership Council, March 2021
  • “Back-to-Work from Home,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, December 2020
  • “Implications for Employers as we Return to Work Following COVID-19,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Employment Practice Group, May 2020
  • “Impact of COVID-19,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Employment Practice Group, April 2020
  • “Taming the COVID-19 Chaos: What Employers Need to Know Part 5” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, April 2020
  • “Taming the COVID-19 Chaos: What Employers Need to Know Part 3,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, March 2020
  • “Taming the COVID-19 Chaos: What Employers Need to Know Part 2,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, March 2020
  • “Practical Approaches for Equal Pay,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 18th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2020
  • “Legislative Update: Compensation with Emphasis on the Oregon Pay Equity Law,” Total Rewards Portland, February 2020
  • “Employment Law Legislative Update: What Defense Lawyers Need to Know,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Employment Practice Group meeting, October 2019
  • “Labor and Employment Breakfast Briefing: Debriefing the 2019 Legislative Session and New Employment Laws,” Stoel Rives LLP, September 2019
  • “Employment Law—What Corporate Lawyers Need to Know,” Oregon State Bar Business Law Section, April 2019
  • “Department Of Labor’s proposed salary basis rule will make more employees eligible for overtime” (co-author), Idaho Business Review, April 2019
  • “Workplace Investigations,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 17th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2019
  • “Labor and Employment Lightning Round,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 17th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2019
  • “Stem the Tide of Unionizing Workforces: Labor Issues,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 16th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2018
  • “Lightning Round: Staying Anchored with Your Top 10 Legal Updates,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 16th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2018
  • “Oregon Sick Leave,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 15th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2017
  • “Issues Facing Employers with a Primarily ‘Graying’ Workforce and a Primarily ‘Millennial’ Workforce,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 15th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2017
  • “Coaching the HR Professional: A Course on FMLA, OFLA, Oregon Paid Sick Leave & the ADA,” Stoel Rives Breakfast Seminar, November 3, 2016
  • “Best Practices in Employee Termination,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 14th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2016
  • “New Oregon Employment Laws for 2016,” OSWILG, December 7, 2015
  • “Oregon’s New Statewide Sick Leave Law,” Stoel Rives Breakfast Seminar, December 3, 2015
  • “Discrimination in the Workplace,” University of Oregon School of Law, April 17, 2015
  • “Weaving Through Complicated Americans with Disabilities Act Scenarios,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2015
  • “But I Was Off the Clock: Managing Off-Duty Conduct,” Stoel Rives Breakfast Seminar, November 12, 2014
  • “Harassment & Discrimination in the Workplace: What You Need to Know,” SHRM Rogue Valley Chapter May Legal Seminar, May 15, 2014
  • “College Football Elections and ‘Negative Comment’ Protections: What’s New at the NLRB” (co-author), News & Views, the Portland Human Resource Management Association newsletter, May 2014
  • “Hot Topics: New Developments in Labor and Employment Law,” SHRM Rogue Valley Chapter May Legal Seminar, May 15, 2014
  • “Tips for Employers on Weathering the Storm This Winter” (co-author), News & Views, the Portland Human Resource Management Association newsletter, March 2014
  • “Labor and Employment Law 101,” University of Oregon School of Law, February 21, 2014
  • “Portland Paid Sick Leave,” Stoel Rives Breakfast Seminar, February 5, 2014
  • “ORS 652.150: Tips to Address and Resolve Loopholes in the Statute’s 12-Day Safe Harbor Provision” (co-author), The Verdict, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel newsletter, Issue 2, 2014

Recognition

  • Selected by the Portland Business Journal as a Forty Under 40 honoree, 2020
  • Included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Labor and Employment Law—Management, Litigation—Labor and Employment), 2021–2025
  • Listed among Rising Stars (Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation: Defense), Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2013–2020
  • Stoel Rives Pro Bono Award, 2014

Affiliations

Professional

  • The Developing Labor Law (6th Ed.), Contributing Editor, 2012–present
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Board Member and Former Chair, Vice Chair, and Publications Liaison of Employment Practice Group, 2019–present
  • Co-Chair of Stoel Rives Portland Recruiting Committee
  • Campaign For Equal Justice Associates Committee, former Member
  • Stoel Rives Pro Bono Night Clinic and U.S. District of Oregon Pro Bono Program, Volunteer Attorney
  • Stoel Rives Associates Committee, former Member and Co-Chair
  • Oregon New Lawyers Division Law Related Education Subcommittee, former Chair

Civic

  • Youth Progress, Board Member
  • Kids Community Learning Center, Board Member
  • Classroom Law Project, former Board Member
  • Parkrose High School Constitution Team, former Coach
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