Advancing Expertise, Connection, and Representation in the Oregon Labor and Employment Law Bar
I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee for 2026. Our section is committed to three primary objectives:
- Creating Exceptional Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programming: We prioritize developing comprehensive and relevant CLE programs that cater to the diverse needs of our members.
- Cultivating Collegiality and Building Relationships: We recognize the importance of fostering a sense of camaraderie among our members, regardless of their clients’ opposing positions. This fosters the development of meaningful relationships that bridge divides and ultimately benefits our clients by fostering collegial problem solving and resolution when possible.
- Supporting the Development of a Diverse Pipeline of Law Students and Lawyers: We are committed to nurturing a diverse pool of law students and lawyers who are eager to explore and expand their knowledge in the field of labor and employment law. This ensures a talented workforce that is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs and interests of our clients.
To advance our commitment to excellence in CLE programming, we apply the diverse perspectives of our section’s leadership to bring you employer and employee side insights into important legal developments. We strive for balanced representation among neutral, defense/plaintiff, and labor lawyers who represent management and unions. This ensures that our CLE content addresses the emerging needs of all members and provides opportunities for connection and relationship building.
As part of our CLE programs, we endeavor to make our section broadly inclusive and applicable and are committed to supporting the sharing of knowledge between the more experienced practitioners of our bar while elevating newer practitioners as presenters at our CLE events.
Our annual Fall Conference addresses emerging developments and hot topics of interest to both new and seasoned professionals in the field. We rotate the location of our annual conference between the Portland metro area and other locations throughout the state, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. The 2026 Conference will be held at the The Nines in Portland, October 16th. Our conference programming includes an annual case law update and an annual jury verdict update, which have been rated as highly valuable by attendees.
In collaboration with Oregon’s three law schools, we provide annual summer stipends to three Oregon law students, enabling them to explore careers in labor and employment law within Oregon.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our members for their unwavering support. Your contributions facilitate our continued excellence in CLE programming, foster collegiality, and support the development of labor and employment law practitioners. Should you not yet be a member, we encourage you to consider joining us for an annual fee of $28. The fee is waived for new Oregon State Bar admittees during their first year of practice. Membership privileges include access to our listserv and discounts on CLE credits.
We welcome your inquiries and suggestions, as we strive to enhance our services and meet your specific needs. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions to help us better meet your needs.
Alex Wheatley
Chair, Executive Committee
OSB Labor & Employment Section