Stoel Rives New Hire and Promotion Enable Law Firm to Offer Clients Increased Innovation and Efficiency

Portland’s largest law firm hires new director of talent acquisition and promotes lawyer to HR role in innovative reorganization designed to improve client service.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce that it has hired Andy Edmundson as Director of Talent Acquisition and promoted attorney Britney Colton to Chief Human Resources Officer. The moves are part of the firm’s efforts to align with its clients’ operations and expectations.

Previously leading Talent Acquisition in Consumer Product organizations, Edmundson will head lawyer and professional staff recruitment for Stoel Rives. An experienced labor and employment lawyer and HR professional, Colton will apply those skills to continue building a positive workplace culture for both attorneys and professionals at Portland’s largest law firm.

“To successfully meet and exceed clients’ expectations, we must operate more like a business while staying true to our culture,” said Bradley F. Tellam, Stoel Rives’ Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal in hiring Andy and promoting Britney is to recruit and retain the highest quality talent, regardless of industry.”

With an extensive background in aligning Talent Acquisition with culture and strategic planning, building employer brand and candidate experience, Edmundson joins Stoel Rives from the United States’ seventh-largest brewing company, Craft Brew Alliance. He will be an integral part of Stoel Rives significant efforts towards upholding Diversity and Inclusion as a core value.

“I am excited to join Stoel Rives and help evolve the firm for the challenges that lie ahead,” said Edmundson. “Employment and workplace culture are rapidly changing, and Stoel’s progressive mindset is going to help shift the conversation and expectations across all law firms.”

A licensed attorney with a focus on labor and employment, Colton is responsible for ensuring that the firm’s human resources services, policies, and programs foster a healthy, vibrant, and inclusive work environment that motivates employees, recognizes successes, retains strong performers, and aligns with the firm’s strategic goals and objectives.

“Law firms have not traditionally structured themselves like most businesses, particularly when it comes to HR functions. But I believe that HR can and should play a critical role in supporting our talented lawyers and staff.” said Colton. “My vision is to better integrate and elevate all of the human capital functions into the overall operations of the business, and further remove silos between the attorneys and professional staff. I want to create a movement within the firm that encourages all of us to think like business professionals while delivering excellent legal service to every client.”

Headquartered in Portland, Stoel Rives has 350 attorneys in 10 offices in seven states and the District of Columbia. The firm is a leading corporate citizen in Portland and recently was named among Oregon’s Most Admired Companies by the Portland Business Journal.