CDR LABOR LAW

Adam possesses 20+ years of experience as a labor attorney.  He had excellent mentors and quickly learned the importance of understanding each individual client and the client’s business and goals.  His favorite aspects of labor law are the associations he develops with clients and helping them accomplish their goals.

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Many of those who know Adam accuse him of being frugal.  Adam freely acknowledges he does not like to unnecessarily spend money and assumes his clients feel the same way.  Therefore, his goal is to make sure each client sees the big picture and is able to make informed decisions, whether it be in contract negotiations, arbitrations, unfair labor practice proceedings, or even employee disciplinary matters.  However, Adam also realizes that some battles are worth fighting and, in such cases, he is a fierce advocate for his clients. He maintains an outstanding success rate in contested matters.

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Adam represents both public and private sector employers in collective bargaining negotiations, Employment Relations Board (ERB) proceedings, NLRB proceedings and labor arbitrations.  He has represented numerous public sector clients in interest arbitration cases (probably more than any other management-side attorney in Oregon), and possesses an outstanding record. He also possesses extensive experience defending employers before the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Chris came to his law career by a circuitous route.  After graduating high school in Indiana, he completed an AmeriCorps program based in Denver, Colorado.  After college at Colorado State University, he moved to Florida and bought a sailboat, without really knowing how to sail.  He soon learned and then lived aboard and sailed for five years up and down the East Coast and through the Bahamas.  During this time, he utilized his science background working as a water quality field technician in the Florida Keys and on the Chesapeake Bay.  In short, he has a diverse background.

 

Chris’ practice focuses on traditional labor law, including collective bargaining, labor contract administration, employee relations, discipline and discharge, representation before state and federal agencies, and policy review and implementation for both public and private sector clients.  He also has experience handling employment law issues, defending employers against employee claims before state and federal courts and administrative agencies against all types of employment-law claims.  He also provides advice and training to employers on all types of employment-related issues.

 

In all matters, Chris strives to provide candid, well-reasoned advice, with an emphasis on data and practical realities to obtain the desired outcome.

 

Outside of work, Chris enjoys backpacking, hiking and camping with his family, playing basketball and traveling internationally.

Dan Rowan’s interest in human interactions and his desire to have a positive impact on the community led him to labor and employment law. For Dan, the best part of practicing labor law is finding solutions to complex problems and developing relationships with clients, colleagues, and others in the business community. Dan enjoys working with employers in a variety of industries and knows that understanding an employer’s business is vital to providing the most useful legal advice and representation. Specializing in traditional labor law, Dan frequently represents clients during collective bargaining, labor arbitration, unfair labor practice cases, and union representation proceedings. Dan also advises clients on a variety of labor and employment matters and leads training sessions for employers and industry groups. Dan is a member of the St. Andrew Legal Clinic Board of Directors and recently served on the Oregon Employment Relations Board Rules Advisory Committee.

 

Before starting his law career, Dan worked as a poker dealer for a few years after earning his undergraduate degree. Dan also took a position as a dealer supervisor at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where Dan gained valuable management experience in what truly is a high-stakes environment. Dan’s experience in the poker world translates to his current practice by allowing Dan to evaluate challenging situations quickly and arrive at strategic solutions. 

 

Away from the office, Dan spends time with his friends and family enjoying the rich culture of the Pacific Northwest. Outdoors, Dan can be found on the golf course, on a trail, or near a charcoal grill. Indoors, Dan is a fan of Portland’s great restaurants, live music, and interesting people.

Alan joined CDR Labor Law as of-counsel September 1, 2023, after Bullard Law, a longstanding Portland Oregon employment/labor law firm dissolved. Alan was a shareholder at Bullard Law for 35 years, serving as a firm co-trustee of the retirement plan and providing human resources support while performing an active role in defending employment law litigation cases in Oregon and Washington State and Federal Court and enforcement actions by BOLI and EEOC.

 

At CDR, Alan continues to provide advice and counsel to our clients in developing best practice tools and strategies to manage difficult employees as well as responding to other employee issues including, but not limited to, the employee’s rights and the employer’s obligations arising under state and federal family medical, sick, and paid leaves, military USERRA leaves, state and federal disability laws and/or other protected class status issues.

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Based on his many years representing employers in litigating employee claims, Alan provides guidance, expert analysis, and evaluation of the risk/exposure to clients facing actual or potential litigation by current or former employees. Alan’s special interest is assisting employers to evaluate and develop reasonable accommodation solutions for employees whose disabilities impact their ability to perform their work responsibilities, including cases where an employee’s disability overlaps with a workplace injury or occupational disease. In these cases, Alan uses his skill and experience to partner with employers to carefully tailor an effective response in order to assure compliance with its myriad legal obligations.

 

When the Americans with Disabilities Act became law in 1991, Alan was one of the first attorneys in Oregon and Washington to provide extensive employer seminars and training classes in implementing the ADA and it’s EEOC enforcement guidelines.  In September 1991, Alan co-authored A Manager’s Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a manual widely circulated and used by employers throughout Oregon.  Alan has been recognized by his peers and listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his excellence in Management and Labor and Employment Litigation 2021-2024.  

 

When not working with clients, Alan volunteered as a mediator for the Multnomah County Circuit Court and actively supports his wife, Laurie (a retired Oregon estate planning attorney), in her National MS Society volunteer work and activities. They have co-captained Laurie’s business and professional team in the annual Walk MS event for many years. Alan also greatly enjoys hiking, golf (sometimes) and spending quality time with Laurie, their children, grandchildren, and friends.

Jon joined CDR Labor Law as of-counsel in 2024. Prior to that, he practiced labor and employment law with a full-service international firm. Jon has been practicing for over a decade and has significant experience providing practical guidance to employers on a wide range of employment and labor law issues, including protected leave, disability accommodations, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower claims. He takes a solutions-oriented approach to mitigate risks and achieve excellent, cost-effective solutions for his clients.

 

Jon has significant trial experience and regularly litigates employment law cases on behalf of his clients in Oregon and Washington State and Federal Courts. Jon also handles administrative enforcement actions in front of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Labor law makes up a significant portion of his practice. This includes defending against unfair labor practice charges in front of the National Labor Relations Board and Oregon Employment Relations Board and representing public and private employers in labor arbitrations and collective bargaining. In 2022, Jon helped his client successfully navigate a 6-week labor strike across multiple worksites in Washington and Oregon. The strike ended when Jon helped his client reach a new collective bargaining agreement with the union.  

 

When not working with clients, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. Jon is an avid fly fisherman and enjoys hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest.

Lauren Lewis advises and represents public and private employers and management on a wide range of labor and employment matters. She develops workplace policies and provides training to support her clients in reaching their business goals. Lauren understands the importance of providing reliable, effective, and dynamic solutions to solve workplace issues. 

 

Lauren earned her J.D. from the University of Oregon. While studying at UO, Lauren served as Editor of Operations of the Oregon Review of International Law and externed for the Honorable Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta. Lauren also interned at the Municipality of Anchorage and the Oregon School Board Association.

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Prior to joining CDR Labor Law, Lauren practiced civil litigation. Her trial practice focused on defense of professional claims against long-term care facilities, medical providers, and hospitals, as well as defense of general liability claims.

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Outside the office, Lauren can be found stand-up paddling on the Willamette River, backpacking sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, or enjoying Portland's renown coffee roasters. 

Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in the ABA approved Paralegal Studies program at Southern Illinois University in 2010. During college she interned with the Jackson County Illinois public defender’s office. In 2011 she relocated to the PNW from her home in the Chicago area and spent five years assisting a trial lawyer in medical malpractice and general tort claims. From there she moved to a mid-sized firm representing employers in litigation and labor matters.

 

Ashley has been with CDR Labor Law since October 2020. She is an avid camper and hiker, taking pleasure in time spent outdoors with her family and dog.