Sharon Bolesky

Attorney | Portland | 503.778.2185 | boleskys@lanepowell.com

Areas of Practice

Sharon Bolesky specializes in defending employers from claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations. Sharon has experience defending Fortune 500 employers in state and federal court. She also provides guidance to large and small employers on employee handbooks, responses to employee complaints, and compliance with state and federal employment statutes and regulations.

Professional Experience

• Law Clerk, Oregon Department of Justice, Civil Enforcement Division
• Judicial Externship, Honorable Robert E. Jones, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Admitted to Practice

• Oregon
• U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Academics

• Lewis and Clark (J.D., 2006)
  • Environmental and Natural Resources Certificate
  • Environmental Law Review, Form and Style Editor
  • Honors Brief, First Year Appellate Advocacy
• Portland State University (B.A., 1999)
• Wheaton College (B.A., 1993)

Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships

• Labor and Employment

Representative Matters and Clients

• Howard v. Milwaukie Convalescent Hospital, Summary judgment for the defense on all claims.
• Wilken v. Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Summary judgment for the defense on plaintiff’s Title VII claims, hostile work environment claims, and intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
• Jernigan v. Alderwoods Group Inc., Summary judgment for the defense on plaintiff’s claims for retaliation, wrongful discharge, and negligent supervision and retention.

Publications

• “The Oregon Supreme Court Enforces Agreement to Arbitrate,” Casenote, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Winter 2007
• “Investigations: Observations on Mistakes and Best Practices,” Multnomah County, Oregon, June 2008

Awards and Honors

• Selected, “Rising Star,” Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, (Labor and Employment) 2009

Professional and Community Activities

• Board of Directors, Dress for Success Oregon
• Member, Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section
• Member, U.S. District Court Historical Society, District of Oregon
• Member, Oregon Woman Lawyers
• Member, Gus J. Soloman Inn of Court
• Mentor, Lewis and Clark Law School Mentor Program