Overview
Matt Tellam defends clients in a wide variety of employment-related disputes in state and federal court, with a particular emphasis on Title VII and related state law discrimination claims. Matt also provides advice and counsel to clients to reduce the risk of litigation, including considerable experience assisting employers with employee separations and larger reductions in force. He has considerable experience in traditional labor, particularly in the health care industry, and has represented employers in discharge and discipline arbitrations. Matt also defends and provides advice work to educational institutions regarding Title IX and student disability-related claims.
Education
University of Washington Law School, J.D., 2019
University of Oregon, B.S., Political Science/minor: Economics, 2012; Dean’s List
Admissions
Oregon
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
Experience
Labor & Employment Advice & Counsel
- Advise employers at all stages of the employee separation process, including situations involving reductions in force
- Advise employers during labor organizing activity and election petitions.
- Conduct workplace investigations and advise on Title IX matters
- Advise employers on agency matters, litigation, labor grievances, and arbitrations
- Advise employers on compliance with Title VII and the ADA, including accommodations in the workplace
Labor & Employment Litigation
- Defended health care employer in labor arbitration involving the grievance of employee discipline
- Obtained dismissal of civil lawsuit against health care employer based on federal preemption of labor law claims
- Obtained summary judgment for health care employer on Title VII and state law religious discrimination claims
- Obtained favorable settlement for educational institution regarding disability claims brought by former student
- Obtained summary judgment for manufacturing client on claims for wrongful interference with economic relationship
- Obtained multiple motions to dismiss for health care employer regarding Title VII and state law religious discrimination claims
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “Today's Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 22nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2024
- “Best Practices in Employee Separations, Including Reductions in Force,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 21st Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2023
- “Five Legal and Regulatory Employment Updates for Manufacturers” (co-author), Portland Business Journal, September 2022
- “Ore. Employers Must Heed Challenged Heat, Smoke Rules” (co-author), Law360, August 2022
- “Harassment and Discrimination: Awareness and Avoidance,” (co-presenter), Client Training, June 2022
- “Legal & Legislative Update,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2022
Recognition
- Listed among Rising Stars (Labor & Employment, Employment Litigation), Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2024
- Member of the Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- Co-author of forthcoming, 2025 Edition of the Oregon State Bar’s “Labor and Employment Law: Private Sector” Chapter 13, “Unfair Labor Practices”
Affiliations
Professional
- Oregon State Bar Association, Member
- SHRM/Stoel Rives Labor and Employment Law Conference, Co-Chair, 2023 and 2024
Civic
- The Children’s Representation Project, Multnomah County, 2019–2022
- Child and Youth Advocacy Clinic, former Volunteer