James M. Barrett

Mr. Barrett has represented clients in litigating employment disputes in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Idaho.  Representative matters include:

• Lead attorney in representing a national manufacturer with a facility in Utah against one of the largest class action lawsuits ever brought in that state. Obtained denial of class certification at the trial court level and successfully argued to uphold the denial before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Defended large Oregon technology manufacturer against former employee’s claims of age, gender, and disability discrimination.  Obtained favorable settlement after taking plaintiff’s deposition and moving for summary judgment.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of an Idaho utility cooperative against a former Safety Director’s claims of whistleblower retaliation and breach of contract.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of national car rental company against breach of contract and wage claims by a former rental agent.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a Utah retailer against claims of wrongful discharge based on an alleged false positive drug test.
• Successfully enforced non-competition agreement against former vice president of a Utah staffing company and obtained injunctive relief and sanctions, including criminal sanctions for contempt of court.
• Defended national phone directory company against discrimination and worker misclassification claims asserted by two former Washington salespersons.  Obtained favorable settlement after successfully forcing a transfer of the cases to Utah over plaintiffs’ objections.

Education

• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2001
• B.A., Political Science, University of Washington, 1994

Admission to Practice

• Oregon
• U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
• Washington
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
• U.S. District Court, District of Utah
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
• Utah

• American Bar Association
• Multnomah Bar Association
• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC)

• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Keeping Up With Oregon Leave Laws in 2024: Best Practices for Employers” – June 4, 2024
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Oregon Update: Limits to Confidentiality in Settlement and Severance Agreements” – January 18, 2023
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Oregon Legislative Update: Employment Law and the COVID-19 Pandemic” – July 14, 2021
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Navigating Oregon OSHA’s New COVID-19 Regulations” – December 1, 2020
• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “What Employers Need to Know About the Oregon Workplace Fairness Act, Oregon’s Newest #MeToo Law” – September 12, 2019
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Documentation Deep Dive: Improve Your Performance Management Practices and Documents” – Las Vegas – May 1, 2019
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Firing Without Fear” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “No Rest (Breaks) for the Weary: Getting a Handle on State and Local Wage and Hour Laws” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
• Oregon Association of Corporate Counsel – “In-House Roadmap for Managing Ethical Obligations and Dilemmas” – Portland – September 26, 2013

• June 11, 2021 – SHRM Online – “Oregon Enacts New Modifications to Noncompete Law”
• June 4, 2019 – Portland Business Journal – “Oregon modifies noncompete law for 2020”
• April 19, 2018 – Portland Business Journal – “What large employers need to know about the new work schedule changes”
• February 6, 2017 – Business Management Daily – “Gorsuch, like Scalia, likely to back employers”

• August 21, 2024 – New Orleans CityBusiness – “Law firms weigh in on judge’s ruling against FTC noncompete ban”
• January 29, 2021 – Law360 – “3 Tips For Handling Worker Scheduling Laws”

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021-2025)
• Executive Editor, Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law
• Law Clerk, Honorable Thomas A. Balmer, Oregon Supreme Court, Salem (2001-2002)
• Named as Rising Star (attorney under age 40) by Super Lawyers (2010 and 2011)
• Oregon Super Lawyers
• BTI Client Service All Star (2018)