Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson

Address:
Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson
1000 SW Broadway
Suite 1900
Portland, Oregon 97205

Phone: (503) 248-1134
Fax: (503) 224-8851
Web site: bullardlaw.com
Firm Size: 26 Lawyers

Primary Contact:
David J. Riewald
driewald@bullardlaw.com

Firm Description

Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson represents management exclusively in labor and employment law matters. Since the firm was founded in 1977, it has grown to be a highly respected management labor and employment boutique law firm - the largest in the Pacific Northwest. We have provided professional services to more than 4,000 clients in both the private and public sectors and are especially proud of our client loyalty and satisfaction. In addition to representing clients in Oregon and Washington, we regularly represent employers throughout the Western United States, including California, Alaska, Idaho, and Utah. We also represent many clients nationwide.

Our primary areas of concentration include state and federal regulation of employment, labor contract administration and collective bargaining, public sector labor law, employment litigation, personnel policies and practices, and employee benefits. Our firm's attorneys have the depth of experience and expertise to handle virtually any aspect of labor relations and employment law.

Our guiding philosophy is to provide employers with the highest quality representation and counsel, on a timely and responsive basis, and at a fair price. Our representation of clients emphasizes personal interest in their problems, teamwork, communication, integrity and value. In addition to representation on specific matters, the firm provides preventive counseling and planning to help clients avoid costly litigation or administrative proceedings.

We take great pride in our firm's growth and stature in the labor law community, and remain strongly committed to a business-oriented practice emphasizing quality, responsiveness and value.

Attorney Biographies

Richard J. Alli, Jr.
B.S., University of Oregon, 1977; J.D., Willamette University, 1980

Ric's practice emphasizes collective bargaining, labor and employment law planning and strategy, personnel administration, development and implementation of personnel policies, contract administration, grievances, union election campaigns, wage, hour and employment discrimination issues and strike operations. Ric has worked for clients throughout the United States. He works with a large number of health care, utility and manufacturing companies. Ric has handled more than 150 arbitration cases arising under a collective bargaining agreement. He is often called asked upon to assist labor relations personnel in addressing day-to-day concerns, as well as long-term strategic issues.

Daniel R. Barnhart
J.D., University of Oregon, 1991; B.A., University of Oregon, 1988

Dan represents employers and management in all aspects of employment litigation, including workplace discrimination, wrongful discharge, employment contracts, wage and hour disputes, and non-competition agreements. He practiced for four years in Seattle at the law firm of Perkins Coie before joining the Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson firm in 1995.

Dan graduated first in his class from the University of Oregon Law School in 1991, where he served as the Executive Editor of the Oregon Law Review.

Francis T. Barnwell
J.D., George Washington University, 1981; B.A., Dartmouth College, 1977

Fran has been a shareholder with the firm since 1989, where his practice continues to emphasize preventative advice, litigation, arbitration and mediation.

Fran has held firm management positions since 1990, has served as an adjunct professor of employment law at Willamette University School of Law, and has conducted numerous seminars and training sessions on employment law issues.

C. Akin Blitz
LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, 1979; J.D., Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, 1975 B.A., Willamette University, 1972

Akin's practice focuses on labor relations and employment advice, including bargaining, labor contract administration, employee relations, discipline and discharge, practice before state and federal agencies, and preventive risk management and strategy. He has lobbied collaboratively and successfully with employers and associations on employment and law enforcement issues.

Akin represents employers throughout Oregon and Washington in all matters related to labor and employment and related municipal law issues. Akin formerly served as an assistant attorney general for Oregon for labor and employment matters.

Barbara A. Bloom
J.D., Willamette University, 1992;, B.S., Santa Clara University, 1989

Barb is a shareholder practicing exclusively in the area of management labor and employment law. Barb's primary areas of practice include NLRB and Oregon ERB proceedings, union organizing issues, labor agreement administration and bargaining, labor arbitration, and personnel policies and practices. Barb is a member of the American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section; Oregon State Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section; and Multnomah Bar Association. She also is a frequent speaker at several labor and employment law seminars.

Lisa Brown
J.D., George Washington University, 1979; B.A., Swarthmore College and Northwestern University, 1976

Lisa is a graduate of the George Washington University where she earned her J.D. in 1979. Lisa has been representing Oregon employers for over twenty years and is a frequent speaker on employment law topics. She focuses her practice on employment advice, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Frequent advice and training issues include employment policies and procedures, employment agreements, noncompete agreements, hiring, termination, and other aspects of employment law including the ADA, sexual harassment, federal and state discrimination laws, disability issues, age discrimination and workers' compensation discrimination claims.

Garry R. Bullard
J.D., Northwestern University, 1959; B.A., Northwestern University, 1956

Garry's interest in labor is a result of his father's activity in the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmens Union and summers spent working at a steel mill south of Chicago, where he was a member of the United Steelworkers of America. Garry was hired directly out of law school by the Stoel Rives firm to work in their labor practice. Garry became involved in collective bargaining early in his career and he has always enjoyed that aspect of the practice very much. Garry represented a range of private and public sector clients in collective bargaining, arbitration and cases before the NLRB and the state Employment Relations Board.

Adam S. Collier
J.D., University of Southern California, 1997; B.A., Brigham Young University, 1994

After interning with the National Labor Relations Board during law school, Adam joined the firm upon receiving his JD from the University of Southern California 1997. He has been involved in all aspects of both public and private sector labor law, including defending employers against unfair labor practice charges and helping employers implement work rules not specifically authorized by the collective bargaining agreement. He also has experience in employment law, including advising and defending employers against sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination claims.

Jacqueline M. Damm
J..D, University of Minnesota, 1992; B.A., University of Wisconsin, 1987

Jackie's practice includes representing management in collective bargaining negotiations, NLRB proceedings, and labor arbitration. Jackie also has developed a significant practice in preventative labor and employment law, which includes advising clients on labor contract administration, leave law issues, employment discrimination, personnel policies and procedures, and union organizing campaigns. Jackie was a contributing editor to the 1993 cumulative supplement to The Developing Labor Law, and wrote the chapter entitled "Presenting a Case at Arbitration" for the most recent H.B. Maynard Industrial Engineering Handbook.

Devra S. Hermosilla
J.D., Seattle University, 2000; B.A., Pacific Lutheran University, 1997

Devra’s practice includes representation of both public and private employers in all aspects of employment litigation and providing advice on a variety of employment matters. Her practice focuses on management advocacy and defense, including but not limited to defending against claims of wrongful discharge, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour law compliance, workers’ compensation, and litigation defense in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

Devra is a frequent speaker at employment and training seminars and has co-authored national compendiums on employment and workers’ compensation laws in Washington. She is a member of the National and Local Human Resources Management Associations (NHRMA), the Labor and Employment Law Sections of the American Bar Association, the Washington State Bar Association, the Spokane County Bar Association, and the Idaho Bar Association.

Kathryn M. Hindman
J.D., Gonzaga University, 1986; B.A., University of Washington, 1981 Washington State University, 1976

Kathryn specializes in counseling both public and private sector employers in all aspects of employment relations and litigation including wage and hour, discrimination and harassment, family medical leave and disability, and COBRA administration. A frequent speaker and author, Kathy has considerable expertise in supervisory training and preventative employment policies.

She clerked for the Office of Administrative Law Judges at the United States Department of Labor in Washington, DC for two years before entering private practice.

Kenneth E. Jernstedt
J.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1969; A.B., Stanford University, 1966

Since 1970 Ken has devoted his career to representing employers in labor and employment law matters. His practice has focused on collective bargaining, labor contract administration, personnel administration, union organizing campaigns, and NLRB proceedings, as well as less frequent labor and employment litigation. His practice has included the negotiation of more than 500 labor contracts.

Ken has been selected for listing in all editions as a management labor lawyer in The Best Lawyers in America, where listing is based on peer review. He is admitted to practice in Oregon and California.

Thomas I. Kramer
Tom is one of the few attorneys in Portland and the Northwest who specializes in employee benefits and his addition to Bullard greatly enhances the firm’s expansive representation of employers in the labor and employment law arena. He joins Bullard after nine years at Portland law firm Amburgey & Rubin PC.

Since 1983, he has represented employers in the areas of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and funding vehicles for employee benefits plans. Kramer received his law degree from Yale Law School and undergraduate degree from Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College), and clerked for Judge Otto Skopil on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Portland for two years before entering private practice.

Alan M. Lee
J.D., Willamette University, 1968; B.S., Willamette University, 1966

Alan has extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts with special emphasis on injured worker and disability discrimination litigation. Currently, in addition to a litigation case load, Alan consults with employer/clients on the development of management strategies for dealing with injured and disabled workers, family medical leave and workers compensation conflicts.

Alan is a member of the following associations: Oregon Bar Association; American Bar Association (Labor, employment law, litigation and civil rights sections member); Defense Research Institute; Oregon Association of Defense Counsel.

Robert J. Lee
J.D., Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, 1981; B.A., University of Washington, 1978

Bob clerked for the firm while in law school and became an attorney for the firm following his graduation from law school in 1981. Since that time, Bob's primary emphasis has been in the traditional aspects of labor law, including collective bargaining negotiations, arbitration arising under labor agreements, work before the National Labor Relations Board, defense of administrative discrimination charges and drafting of personnel policies for both union and non-union employers.

Michael G. McClory
J.D., University of Notre Dame, 1989; B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1986

Mike specializes in employment counseling and litigation. He has extensive experience regarding all aspects of disability discrimination law, including disability compliance planning and defense of litigation. Mike's practice also emphasizes discrimination and harassment law, termination counseling, employee-employer contracts, and affirmative action-government contractor law.

Mike is a frequent author regarding current developments in the law and is the co-editor of Bullard Smith's eAlerts and newsletters. His other writing credits include: the chapter entitled "Employment Agencies" published by BNA in the 1998 Supplement to Employment Discrimination Law, 3d Edition; the article entitled "Relationship of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and California Workers' Compensation Laws" published in the California Labor & Employment Law Quarterly; and The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990: A Comprehensive Analysis of Title I published by the National Employment Law Institute (co-author).

Mike joined the firm in 1997. Prior to that he practiced in Palo Alto and San Jose, California. He is admitted to practice in Oregon, California, Illinois and Indiana.

Jennifer A. Owen
J.D., University of Utah College of Law, 2001; B.A., University of Southern California, 1996

Jennifer’s practice focuses on organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, bargaining, contract administration, employee relations and discipline and discharge. Her employment cases have included issues involving wrongful discharge, harassment, workplace torts, wage and hour disputes and discrimination.

Jennifer is a member of the Oregon and Utah State Bar Associations, the Multnomah and Salt Lake County Bar Associations, the Labor and Employment Sections of the American Bar Association, Oregon Women Lawyers and the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel.

J. Kent Pearson, Jr.
Kent Pearson’s extensive knowledge of wage and hour law is complemented by his broad-based experience with traditional labor issues, employment agreements, plant closings, employer policies, administrative hearings, and day-to-day management consultation.

Pearson began his career with Portland’s former Spears Lubersky firm (now Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP) in 1982 and joins Bullard after 15 years at Amburgey & Rubin PC. Pearson received his law degree from Washington and Lee University and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Wake Forest University.

Kirk S. Peterson
J.D., with distinction, University of Nebraska, 1993; B.S., Eastern Montana College, 1979

Kirk is a shareholder with the firm. He concentrates his practice on preventative employment practices, labor contract administration and negotiation, arbitration, agency proceedings, and employment litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, he was the Director of Operations Services for the Nebraska Division of Burlington Northern Railroad Company where he was in charge of Labor Relations, Personnel, and Manpower Planning. Previously, Kirk held a variety of operating and staff positions throughout the Burlington Northern system.

David J. Riewald
J.D., University of Oregon, 1983; B.A., Albion College, 1980

Dave has specialized in labor and employment law for over 20 years. His practice focuses on advising Oregon and Washington employers and management personnel on how to avoid employment lawsuits, and in defending them if they do become entangled in those lawsuits. He has served as an adjunct professor of employment discrimination law at Willamette University School of Law. Dave also has published numerous articles on employment law issues.

Emily Q. Shults
J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law, 2004: B.A., Western Kentucky University, 2001

Emily spent two years clerking for the Honorable Richard Griffin in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. While clerking for Judge Griffin, Emily was able to advise on employment discrimination cases, administrative law cases, civil rights defense cases, commercial litigation cases and contract dispute cases. In 2004 she was a part-time associate for a law firm in Ohio where she focused on employment litigation.

Lester V. Smith
A.B., Duke University, 1962; J.D., University of North Carolina , 1965

Les Smith was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Les is a senior partner at Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson. Les was a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in 1965 and from 1969-1973. Les served as a Troop Commander and JAG Officer in the U.S. Army during 1966-1969. He was formerly a Chairperson of the Oregon State Bar Section on Labor Relations. Les has focused his practice on collective bargaining, NLRB matters, union organizing activities, labor contract administration and preventative labor and employment law issues.

Les has taught labor law for the University of Maryland and Lewis & Clark Law School. He has been honored by being selected for listing in Best Lawyers in America.

David M. Thompson
David Thompson, a native of Portland, Oregon, graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001, and received his law degree from Santa Clara University in 2005. Upon graduation, David received the Public Interest Award and Endowed Scholarship for outstanding graduate pursing a career in labor and employment law. David served as a part-time summer extern for the Honorable Judge James Ware, United States District Court, Northern California and worked at the San Jose Community Law Center Employment Advice Clinic. David's interests include labor relations, employment advice and alternative dispute resolution. He is fluent in Spanish. From 2001 to present he serves as a Presidential Fellow of Santa Clara University.

Jennifer N. Warberg
J.D., University of Wisconsin, 2003, cum laude; B.A., University of Washington, 1999, cum laude

Jennifer Warberg, a native of the Pacific Northwest, has been an associate with the firm since 2008. Her practice focuses on employment litigation.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude (Economics and Political Science) from the University of Washington in 1999. After graduation, she worked as a Mutual Funds specialist for a stock brokerage firm in Seattle. Jennifer received her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2003 where she was a Note and Comment Editor for the Wisconsin Law Review. During law school, Jennifer interned for Chief Judge Barbara Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin, published a law review article and participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

After law school, Jennifer relocated to Portland and clerked at the Multnomah County Circuit Court for Judges Henry Kantor and Eric Bergstrom. Jennifer then practiced employment law and general litigation for two years with the firm Meyer & Wyse LLP in Portland. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar, Multnomah Bar Association, Oregon Women Lawyers and an inactive member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

David H. Wilson
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1972; B.A., Princeton University, 1967

Dave's practice focuses on labor and employment litigation in state and federal courts, labor arbitration, state and federal discrimination law, appellate proceedings, litigation before NLRB, ERB and other agencies, and personnel policies and practices.

Dave spent the next two years in Madison working for a federal judge and teaching at the law school. In 1974 Dave and his family moved to Portland, where he began practicing labor and employment law. Dave joined the firm in 1983.

Dave has served as adjunct professor at Willamette School of Law, teaching Discrimination in Employment.

Maryann Yelnosky

J.D., University of Oregon, 1986 (Order of the Coif); B.S., University of Oregon, 1976; University of Pennsylvania (1972-1974).

Maryann is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where she earned her J.D. in 1986. She has devoted her career to representing Oregon employers, specializing in litigation, employee management and employer training. Chambers USA included her in their list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, calling her “an aggressive, no-nonsense litigator.” She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Multnomah Bar Association, and the Oregon Women Lawyers Society. When she isn't engaged in the practice of law, Maryann is a Public Member of the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners. Her volunteer activities include serving as a Mock Trial Coach with the Classroom Law Project from 1999-2003. She recently earned a Certificate from the Executive Management Program at the University of Washington Business School. She is a frequent speaker on employment law topics.

Attorneys Admitted to Practice In:
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