Overview

Brent Hamilton represents employers in high-stakes employment disputes and counsels them regarding complex and emerging laws. He defends employers in litigation, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract claims. He also defends employers in connection with audits and investigations by state and federal agencies, including the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI), Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Brent’s clients include public and private employers in the health care, education, agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and technology sectors.

While attending law school, Brent was a law clerk with the Oregon Department of Justice, Trial Division.  Brent previously practiced at regional and national firms, working with clients of all sizes in a broad range of industries.

Education

University of Oregon Law School, J.D., 2013; Articles Editor, Staff Editor, Oregon Law Review; Outstanding Student in Law and Entrepreneurship Award

Gonzaga University School of Business, M.B.A., Concentration: Finance, 2010

Gonzaga University, B.A., History/Political Science, 2009, magna cum laude

Admissions

Oregon

Washington

Experience

Employment Litigation

  • First-chaired a six-day jury trial in Oregon state court and briefed, argued, and won a variety of dispositive motions, as well as assisted on appeals in state and federal court arising out of those motions.
  • Won motion for summary judgment in U.S. District Court of Oregon on behalf of an employer against claims of sexual harassment and discrimination.
  • Won motion to dismiss with prejudice on behalf of an employer against claims of race and sex discrimination.

Employment-Related Government Audits and Investigations

  • Defended numerous employers in connection with audits and investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor, including Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), as well as the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI), and Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
  • Led internal investigation of cross claims alleging harassment, discrimination, and retaliation made by and against high-level company officials.

Employment Advice & Counsel

Regularly advise employers regarding emerging Oregon and federal employment laws, including:

  • Paid Leave Oregon
  • Oregon Predictive Scheduling Law
  • Oregon Workplace Fairness Act
  • Employee vs independent contractor classification

Insights

Insights & Presentations

Recognition

  • Listed among Rising Stars (Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, Business Litigation) Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2019–2023
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch (Litigation – Labor & Employment), Best Lawyers, 2022–present

Affiliations

Civic

  • Multnomah Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, former Pro Bono Committee
  • Portland Human Resources Management Association, Pro Bono / General Counsel, 2018–present
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