Overview
Todd Hanchett is the Portland Office Managing Partner and represents employers in high-stakes employment litigation and traditional labor law matters. As a seasoned litigator, he regularly represents clients before state and federal courts around the country. In addition to employment matters, Todd specializes in litigating and trying cases involving employee non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, as well as tortious interference claims. In his traditional labor practice, Todd acts as the lead spokesperson in labor negotiations, regularly handles labor arbitrations, and advises clients on union organizing issues and ongoing contract administration. He also has significant experience representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board.
Todd’s practice focuses particularly on companies in the medical device, senior housing, health care and energy industries.
A frequent speaker and author on a variety of employment and labor law topics, Todd is the Chair of the Board of the Maurice Lucas Foundation. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Oregon Super Lawyers®.
Education
Willamette University College of Law, J.D., 1999; Associate Editor, Willamette Law Review; Moot Court Board; President, Multicultural Law Students Association, 1997-1998; Oregon Law Scholar
Walla Walla College, B.S., Business Administration; Accounting, 1996, cum laude
Admissions
Oregon
Washington
United States District Courts for the District of Oregon and the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth and Ninth Circuits
Experience
- Obtained favorable arbitration award on behalf of biomedical technology company following two-week arbitration of claims for breach of contract and intentional interference with contract.
- Successfully defended healthcare system in trial of multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought by physician alleging multiple counts of whistleblower retaliation, gender discrimination, and wrongful discharge.
- Obtained arbitration award in favor of medical device company against claims by former employee for breach of contract.
- Successfully defended a medical device company and its employee in six-day jury trial against multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging claims for tortious interference and breach of contract.
- Successfully defended medical device company in arbitration against breach of contract claims by former sales employee.
- Defense of a medical device company and several of its New York-based sales employees against claims for tortious interference with contract and breach of employment agreements, among other claims.
- Obtained defense verdict following one-week jury trial on claims of sexual harassment, race discrimination, FMLA/OFLA retaliation, and wrongful discharge on behalf of large non-profit organization.
- Defense of medical device company and its employee on claims of tortious interference and alleged violations of non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants. After a seven-day jury trial, obtained a favorable verdict substantially in favor of defendants.
- Representation of large manufacturing employer in state and federal class actions based on alleged off-the-clock work and missed meal periods. Negotiated favorable settlement for the client.
- Representation of well-known local restaurant chain in federal class and collective action based on allegation that restaurant did not pay overtime wages required under Oregon and federal law. Negotiated a favorable settlement for the client.
- Successfully defended large automotive dealership network and obtained dismissal of complaint alleging Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower and retaliation claims even after court permitted plaintiff multiple opportunities to replead. Briefed appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was affirmed.
- Obtained summary judgment on race and national origin discrimination claims on behalf of large software company.
- Won summary judgment on claim of same-sex sexual harassment on behalf of large bakery company. Briefed and argued appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which was affirmed.
- Obtained partial summary judgment on plaintiffs’ ERISA claims, which drove favorable resolution of case.
- Successfully obtained temporary restraining order preventing medical device company’s supplier partner from disclosing confidential, proprietary information. Following entry of restraining order, negotiated favorable contractual terms with supplier as part of resolution.
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “Union negotiations are tough. This Portland employment lawyer shares best practices” (Q&A), Portland Business Journal, January 2024
- “Restrictive Covenants,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2022
- “Labor Issues” (co-author), Chapter 14, The Law of Solar: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, Sixth Edition, 2022
- “Labor Issues” (co-author), Chapter 12, The Law of Wind: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues, Stoel Rives LLP, Ninth Edition, 2022
- “How the workforce of essential industries has been impacted post-pandemic” (panelist), Portland Business Journal How Oregon Works, August 2021
- “Election Fallout: Navigating Personal Opinions in The Workplace,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 19th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2021
- “Managing the Evolving Workplace: How the Pandemic Has Changed Employment,” SHRM/
Stoel Rives 19th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2021 - “Taming the COVID-19 Chaos: What Employers Need to Know Part 5” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, April 2020
- “Addressing Harassment in the Workplace,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 18th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2020
- “Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations,” Stoel Rives Labor and Employment Breakfast Briefing, November 2019
- “The Departing Employee—Competitive Restrictions,” Chapter 67, Advising Oregon Businesses: Volume 4—Intellectual Property and Competitive Restrictions, Oregon State Bar, 2019
- “Breakout Session: Labor Law,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 17th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2019
- “Reducing Employer Exposure in Today’s Class Action Landscape,” PDX Corporate Counsel Forum, Portland, OR, October 2018
- “Who Me? Recognizing and Addressing the Bias in Us All,” Client Annual Conference, Denver, CO, October 2018
- “Non-Compete, No Poach, and No Solicitation Agreements,” Oregon State Bar, Antitrust, Trade Regulation Section, CLE Seminar, June 2018
- “Stem the Tide of Unionizing Workforces: Labor Issues,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 16th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, February 2018
- “Exploring the Rough Waters of Wage and Hour 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
- “Journey to a Better Workplace: Ending Workplace Harassment,” Client Training, New York, NY, February 2018
- “Ancillary Employment Agreements: Tips and Twists on Non-Competition, Arbitration, and other Contracts with Employees” (co-presenter), OADC Employment Practice Group Meeting, Portland, OR, November 2017
- “Strategies for Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations,” Client Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, October 2017
- “How to Remain Non-Union,” Client Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA, October 2016
- “Wage and Hour: A Course in Legal Diagnostics,” Stoel Rives Breakfast Seminar, June 2016
- “Traditional Labor Update,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 14th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2016
- “Employment Law: A Practical Approach,” Client Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, September 2015
- “Grabbing Wage and Hour Issues by the Horns,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2015
- “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” Client Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, October 2014
- Willamette University College of Law Professionalism Program, August 2014
- “Employment Law Update,” Public Media Business Association Annual Conference, Portland, OR, May 2014
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Press Releases
Special Reports
Recognition
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Employment Law—Management, Labor Law—Management, Litigation—Labor & Employment), 2012–2024
- Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Oregon) by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2019–2023
- Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® (Employment Litigation: Defense, Employment & Labor, Business Litigation), 2013–2023
- Listed among Rising Stars by Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2008–2012
- Stoel Rives LLP Andrew Guy Pro Bono Award, Recipient, 2021
Affiliations
Professional
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Member
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, Member
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell
- Oregon Business & Industry, Board member, 2022–present
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Director, 2013–2015
- Employment Law Practice Group, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Chair 2008–2012, Publications Representative 2006–2008
- Oregon Chapter, Federal Bar Association, Director, 2005–2014
- Oregon Minority Lawyers Association, Member
- Labor and Employment Section, American Bar Association, Member
- Multnomah Bar Association, Member
- Best Practices Committee, Diversity Section, Oregon State Bar, Former Chair 2003–2004, Member 2001–2004
- House of Delegates, Oregon State Bar, Member, 2001–2004
- Associates Committee, Campaign for Equal Justice, Member, 2001–2004
Civic
- Classic Wines Auction, Inc., Board Chair Emeritus 2018–present, Board Chair 2021–2022
- Maurice Lucas Foundation, Chair 2015–present, Director 2012–2015