Stoel Rives Law Firm : World of Work Law Blog : Disabilities, FMLA, Military Leave, NLRA : Western United States

Victor Kisch is a member of Stoel Rives LLP and chair of the Labor and Employment group, which includes approximately 40 attorneys in six states (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, California and Alaska).  Victor represents management and employers only, and he has specialized exclusively in labor and employment law for 23 years.  He has handled over 75 trials, including trials before juries, judges, arbitrators, administrative judges and hearing officers.  His practice focuses on wage and hour class actions and defending claims of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful discharge.  He also maintains an active practice in the area of trade secrets and in traditional labor law matters. Victor is one of five Oregon employment attorneys elected as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers; in 2008-2009, he is ranked in the first tier of Oregon Labor and Employment attorneys by Chambers USA (2009) and for several years, he has been listed in Best Lawyers in America and “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell.  Victor is admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington and California.

Jim Shore is a member of Stoel Rives, LLP, where he works out of the Seattle office. Jim’s practice is exclusively focused on representing businesses and entrepreneurs in labor and employment law, with an emphasis on restrictive covenant/trade secret issues, unfair competition, traditional labor law (employer dealings with unions), harassment and discrimination litigation, assisting employers with day-to-day employment advice and policies, and issues related to corporate restructuring and acquisitions. Jim actively practices before federal and state courts and agencies throughout the western United States, and is an active member of the Washington, California and Oregon bars. Jim was named by Washington CEO Magazine as one of the top 10 labor and employment attorneys in Washington State, ranked as a leading Washington Labor and Employment attorney by Chambers USA (2008 and 2009), and by his peers as a Washington “Super Lawyer” in Washington Law and Politics Magazine. Jim is also “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Andy Behrend represents employers in a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters.  He counsels employers in matters relating to employment contracts, non-competition agreements, the development of employment policies and procedures, and compliance with employment laws. He defends employers against claims alleging employment discrimination based on gender, age, race and disability; violation of federal and state wage and hour laws; violation of the Family Medical Leave Act; wrongful discharge; employer retaliation; defamation; breach of employment contracts; violation of ERISA; and in other employment-related disputes.  Andy was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA (2009) in its listing of Alaska Labor & Employment attorneys. He is admitted to practice in Alaska.

Marc Alifanz practices in the firm’s Labor and Employment group.  He has extensive litigation experience on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and traditional labor litigation.  His practice also involves counseling employers on all aspects of employment-related issues.   Marc is admitted to practice in Oregon, New York and New Jersey.

Dan Swedlow is an associate in the firm’s Labor and Employment group.  In this capacity, Dan handles a wide variety of cases in federal and state courts, private arbitrations and administrative hearings for clients involved in employment related disputes.  He has experience in traditional labor law, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, non-competition agreements and trade secrets matters.  Dan is admitted to practice in Washington.