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Paul M. Ostroff Photo

Paul

Paul M. Ostroff
Shareholder
Portland
D 503.778.2122
C 503.819.8192
ostroffp@lanepowell.com

Paul Ostroff has been advising and counseling clients on all aspects of labor and employment law for more than 40 years. He regularly represents employers before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor.  

Paul’s practice includes counseling employers on matters related to:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Labor arbitration
  • Union organizing campaigns
  • Employment discrimination
  • Discipline and discharge
  • Wage and hour
  • Employee benefits
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Drafting of policies and handbooks
  • ADA
  • FMLA
  • Employment contracts
  • Covenants not to compete
  • Occupational safety

He works with clients in a variety of industries, including:

  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Software
  • Computer technology
  • Transportation
  • Health care
  • Public utilities
  • Hospitality
  • Financial services
  • Apparel
  • Public sector

In the first 10 years of his legal career, before joining Lane Powell, Paul represented unions and employees, which gives him a unique perspective within his focus on labor and employment law today.

Experience

  • American Campus Communities Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Prevailing Wage Investigation
    Representing America Campus Communities in an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) concerning prevailing wages that were allegedly not paid to employees in connection with the construction of student residences on the campus of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.
  • Diamond Parking, Inc. v. Teamsters Local 117
    Represented Diamond Parking, Inc. in regards to grievance and union arbitration involving alleged wrongful termination of three employees for violation of company policy.
  • Forestry Services Company Labor Matters Related to Sale of Business
    Represented a sizable forestry services company, in connection with all labor matters arising out of the sale of its forest product operations in Washington state.
  • Macy's, Inc. Labor Negotiations With United Food and Commercials Workers Union, Local 21
    Served as chief counsel (at the negotiating table) to Macy's, in labor negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement covering seven stores and approximately 1,500+ employees at the client's Seattle-area stores. Negotiations, involving complex issues relating to benefits, paid leave, commissions, compensation and contract language, were completed in August of 2012.
  • Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division v. NuStar Energy LP
    Case No. 10-0002OSH
    Represented NuStar Energy in proceedings before the Oregon Workers Compensation Board, following a multiple count citation by the Oregon Department of Occupational Safety and Health for violation of the Oregon Safe Employment Act at its Portland, Oregon facility.
  • Oregon Racing, Inc. d/b/a Portland Meadows Collective Bargaining  Agreement With Service Employees International Union, Local 49
    Advised Oregon Racing, Inc. d/b/a Portland Meadows, a subsidiary of Stronach Group, in reopening of current collective bargaining agreement with Service Employees International Union, Local 49, in relation to Stronach's subsidiary Oregon Racing d/b/a Portland Meadows.
  • Service Employees International Union Local 1199NW v. Community Health Systems et al
    Represented Deaconess Medical Center in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board in a complex dispute involving alleged unilateral changes in health care insurance, refusal to furnish information, failure to bargain in good faith, and other alleged violations.
  • Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company 2015 Refinery Strike
    Represented Tesoro in connection with all legal matters growing out of a United Steelworkers (USW) strike at Tesoro’s refinery in Anacortes, Washington.
  • Thomas Krzyminski v. Spokane County
    $115,000 dismissal with prejudice of a USERRA case.

Community Involvement

Oregon Business & Industry (Formerly known as Associated Oregon Industries)

  • Chair, Employment Policy Committee (2020-Present)
  • Member, Employment Policy Committee (2005-Present)

Oregon State Bar, Labor and Employment Section

  • Executive Committee (2008-2017)
  • Member

California State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

  • Executive Committee (1985-1989)
  • Member

American Bar Association (1977-Present)

  • Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Committee on the Development of the Law Under the National Labor Relations Act
  • Committee on Practice and Procedure Before the National Labor Relations Board
  • Torts and Insurance Practice Section
  • Employee Benefits Committee
  • Litigation Section
  • Member

Labor and Employment Relations Association (formerly known as the Industrial Relations Research Association), Member

Multnomah Bar Association

  • Continuing Legal Education Committee (1997-1999)
  • Member

Pro Se Civil Rights Panel, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon (2001-Present)

Tech-America (formerly known as American Electronics Association), Oregon Council, Human Resource Committee (2007-2011)

 

Thought Leadership

  • October 6, 2022Event / CLE
    The National Labor Relations Board - Obligations and Compliance
    National Business Institute | Virtual
  • August 18, 2022News

    The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys

    Awards & Honors
  • January 19, 2022Publication
    OSHA ETS COVID-19 ‘Vax or Test’ Requirement Stayed by Supreme Court, but Court Gives Green Light for Healthcare Vax Mandate to Be Enforced
    COVID-19 Resource
  • December 21, 2021Publication
    OSHA COVID-19 ETS Mandate for Large Employers Back on (for Now), but Many Uncertainties Still Remain 
    COVID-19 Resource
  • October 6 - December 8, 2021Event / CLE
    'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Webinar Series
    Lane Powell | Virtual
  • November 18, 2021Publication
    Court Orders and Challenges to OSHA ETS Mandating Vaccination and Testing: What Does This Mean for Employers?
    COVID-19 Resource
  • October 18, 2021Event / CLE
    FLSA Essentials: Practically Applying the Most Recent Legal Perspectives
    National Business Institute | Virtual
  • October 6, 2021Event / CLE
    Flipping the Script: Tracking Big Changes in Employment Law From the Biden Administration
    Lane Powell 'Best Practices For Best Employers™' Webinar Series | Virtual
  • August 19, 2021News
    The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
    Awards & Honors
  • October 15 - December 17, 2020Event / CLE
    'Best Practices for Best Employers™' Webinar Series
    Lane Powell | Virtual
  • November 17, 2020Event / CLE
    Major Developments at the NLRB: COVID-19, Employer Policies, Investigations, Union Organizing and Much More
    Lane Powell 'Best Practices For Best Employers™' Webinar Series | Virtual
  • August 20, 2020News
    The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 Recognizes 92 Lane Powell Attorneys
    Awards & Honors
  • June 9, 2020Event / CLE
    Current Developments at the NLRB
    The Seminar Group | Webinar
  • April 27, 2020Publication
    EEOC Says Employers Can Require COVID-19 Testing
    COVID-19 Resource
  • April 8, 2020Event / CLE
    Managing Telecommuting in a Changing Legal Environment - New Challenges From COVID-19
    Lorman Education Services | Webinar
  • March 25, 2020Publication
    Oregon Expands Access to Unemployment Benefits
    COVID-19 Resource
  • March 23, 2020Publication
    COVID-19 Update for Oregon Employers: BOLI Issues an Emergency Regulation to Provide OFLA Leave for Employees who Must Provide Care to Children Whose Schools or Care Providers Have Closed due to Public Health Emergency Orders
    COVID-19 Resource
  • March 19, 2020Publication
    COVID-19 Second Relief Package: President Signs Scaled Back Law
    COVID-19 Resource
  • January 2, 2020News
    Ostroff Appointed Chair of Employment Policy Committee for Oregon Business & Industry
    Awards & Honors
  • November 2019Publication
    Arbitration and Mediation in Labor Relations
    ADR in Oregon
  • August 15, 2019News
    The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 Recognizes 63 Lane Powell Attorneys
    Awards & Honors
  • July 8, 2019Publication
    Oregon Employers Required to Update Anti-Discrimination Policies and Agreements After Legislature Tilts the Playing Field for Employees
    Labor, Employment & Benefits Update
  • June 5, 2019Publication
    Oregon Passes Law Expanding Pregnancy-Related Accommodations for Employees
    Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
  • June 3, 2019Publication
    Oregon Employers Face Another Hurdle as Legislature Amends Non-Compete Law (Once Again)
    Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
  • May 1, 2019Event / CLE
    36th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers™’ Labor & Employment Seminar
    Lane Powell Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • November 13, 2018Event / CLE
    Legal Issues in Recruiting and Hiring
    National Business Institute Human Resource Law From A to Z Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • August 15, 2018News
    The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 Recognizes 62 Lane Powell Attorneys
    Awards & Honors
  • July 24, 2018News
    Twenty-three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
    Awards & Honors
  • July 10, 2018Publication
    Public Sector Union Fees Are Unconstitutional, Says the US Supreme Court
    Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
  • June 6, 2018Event / CLE
    35th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers™’ Labor & Employment Seminar
    Lane Powell Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • March 12, 2018Event / CLE
    Fair Labor Standards Act and State Wage and Hour Law Essentials – Practically Applying the Most Recent Legal Perspectives
    National Business Institute Human Resource Law Boot Camp | Vancouver, Washington
  • August 15, 2017News
    Fifty-nine Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers® in America 2018
    Awards & Honors
  • August 2017Event / CLE
    Leading Employment Law Developments Affecting The Banking Industry
    Oregon Banking Association – Human Resources Committee
  • July 10, 2017News
    Twenty-three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
    Awards & Honors
  • April 26, 2017Event / CLE
    34th Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
    Lane Powell Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • November 23, 2016Publication
    New DOL “White Collar” Overtime Rule Blocked by Federal Court
    Labor and Employment Legal Update
  • November 9, 2016Event / CLE
    Hiring/Recruiting
    National Business Institute | Vancouver, Washington
  • August 17, 2016News
    Fifty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017
    Awards & Honors
  • July 11, 2016News
    Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
    Awards & Honors
  • April 7, 2016Event / CLE
    33rd Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
    Lane Powell Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • March 1, 2016Publication
    Major Employment Law Challenges Facing Employers in 2016
    Oregon Business
  • August 27, 2015Publication
    Your Oregon Legislature in Action: Employers Face Statewide Sick Leave, ”Ban the Box” and More
    Oregon Business
  • August 17, 2015News
    Forty-eight Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016
    Awards & Honors
  • July 8, 2015News
    Fifteen Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Oregon Super Lawyers’ and Four Named as ‘Oregon Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • April 9, 2015Event / CLE
    32nd Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
    Seminar | Portland, Oregon
  • February 5, 2015News
    Ostroff Quoted in Oregon Business Magazine About Company Internship Programs
  • October 10, 2014Event / CLE
    National Labor Relations Board Update
    Oregon State Bar | Portland, Oregon
  • July 9, 2014News
    Fifteen Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Oregon Super Lawyers’ and Five Named as ‘Oregon Rising Stars’
    Awards & Honors
  • April 3, 2014Event / CLE
    Annual Labor and Employment Law Update and the Road Ahead: Lessons for Best Employers
    Lane Powell’s 31st Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
  • January 23, 2014Event / CLE
    Portland Sick Leave Ordinance — What Employers Need to Know Now
    Lane Powell Labor and Employment Seminar
  • December 11, 2013Event / CLE
    Maximizing Leverage and Minimizing Risk at the Hiring Stage
    Lorman Education Services Employment Law Seminar
  • October 25, 2013Event / CLE
    Status of Unionization Efforts and the National Labor Relations Board (‘NLRB’)
    The Seminar Group’s Fifth Annual Labor and Employment Conference | Portland, Ore.
  • October 2013Publication
    Recent Court Decisions Shine a Renewed Light on the Desirability of Employee Arbitration Agreements
    Oregon Business magazine
  • September 20, 2013Event / CLE
    Advanced Wage and Hour Law
    Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section’s Annual Meeting/CLE
  • July/August 2013Publication
    Blueprint for Remote Success
    Legal Management magazine
  • June 10, 2013Publication
    DOL Tip-Pooling Loss May Spur More Agency Rule Challenges
    Law360
  • Summer 2013Publication
    Social Media in the Workplace: A New Web of Regulations Falls on Employers
    Banking Matters magazine
  • April 2, 2013Event / CLE
    Annual Labor and Employment Law Update and the Road Ahead: Lessons for Best Employers
    Lane Powell’s 30th Annual Labor and Employment Seminar | Portland, Ore.
  • November 2, 2012Event / CLE
    The New Climate For Unionization — What Employers Can and Should Do to Maintain a Union Free Workplace
    The Seminar Group’s Fourth Annual Labor and Employment Conference | Portland, Ore.
  • August 7, 2012Event / CLE
    Strategies for Unionized Workplaces to Reduce Liability and Costs
    Lane Powell Breakfast Briefing | Seattle
  • October 11, 2011Event / CLE
    Status of Unionization Efforts and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
    The Seminar Group’s Third Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
  • September 11, 2011Event / CLE
    The New Climate for Unionization in the Health Care Industry — What Employers Can and Should Do To Maintain A Union Free Workplace
    Washington Health Care Association Fall Conference
  • February 9 and August 2, 2011Event / CLE
    Telecommuting: The Next Wave of Wage and Hour Litigation
    Lorman Education Services Audio Conference
  • 2011Publication
    The Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (WARN)
    Labor and Employment Law – Private Sector, Oregon State Bar
  • December 9, 2010Event / CLE
    Upcoming Developments at the NLRB and What Employers Can do to Prepare for Them
    Associated Oregon Industries Annual Meeting
  • December 2010Publication
    Subcontractor Liability: Are You Your Brother’s Keeper?
    BUILDERnews magazine
  • December 2009Event / CLE
    Documents Employees Should Sign – Protecting Company Assets and Limiting Liability
    Oregon State Bar, Business Law Section CLE
  • November 2009Event / CLE
    Employee Compensation — What Are Companies Doing in 2010?” and “Avoiding Legal Minefields in Employee Compensation in the Economic Downturn
    Tech-America
  • September 2009Event / CLE
    The Nuts and Bolts of Wage and Hour Law
    Oregon State Bar Annual Labor and Employment Seminar
  • July 2009Event / CLE
    Obama’s Labor and Employment Law Agenda- Responding to the Challenges to Corporate Growth
    Association for Corporate Growth, Portland Chapter
  • 2008Publication
    Telecommuting: The Legal Landscape and Best Practices For Employers
    Human Resources 2008: Answers to Your Top 25 Questions, Thompson West
  • November 2007Event / CLE
    Changes to Non-Compete Laws — Implications for Technology Companies
    AeA Oregon | Portland, Ore.
  • 2007Publication
    Thompson’s HR Employment Forms, Revised 3rd Ed.
  • 1993-2007Publication
    Cumulative Supplements - The Developing Labor Law, 5th Ed., 4th Ed., 3rd  Ed.
    Bureau of National Affairs
  • April 2006Event / CLE
    Immigration Issues in the Workplace
    Labor and Employment Relations Association | Portland, Ore.
  • 1992, 2001 & 2006Publication
    The Developing Labor Law
    Contributing Editor | 5th Ed. (2006), 4th Ed. (2001), 3rd Ed. (1992) | Bureau of National Affairs
  • 2005Publication
    Oregon Wage and Hour Update
    National Business Institute
  • October 2004Event / CLE
    When Things Go Sour: Unfair Labor Practice Charges and Procedures
    American Bar Association, Region 19 of the National Labor Relations Board and King County Bar Association | Seattle
  • July 2003Event / CLE
    Wage and Hour Update
    National Business Institute | Portland, Ore.
  • February 2003Event / CLE
    The ADA Interactive Process
    Oregon State Bar, Disability Law Section | Portland, Ore.
  • 2003Event / CLE
    Responding to a Union Organizing Campaign
    Lane Powell PC Labor Law Seminar
  • 2002Event / CLE
    The Effective Manager’s Guide to Avoiding Claims of Wrongful Discharge
    Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries | Portland, Ore.
  • 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999Event / CLE
    Hot Topics in Employment Law
    Lorman Education Services | Portland, Ore.
  • 2001, 2000, 1999Event / CLE
    Labor and Employment Law in Oregon
    Lorman Education Services | Portland, Ore.
  • 2001Event / CLE
    Family Medical Leave
    Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries | Portland, Ore.
  • Awards_2023 Best Lawyers America

Practices & Industries

  • Labor, Employment & Benefits
  • Wage & Hour

Education

  • University of Chicago, M.B.A.
  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D.
  • University of California at Berkeley, B.A., Political Science

Admissions

  • Oregon
  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Honors

The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Management, Labor Management, Labor & Employment Litigation (2011-2023)

“Oregon Super Lawyer,” Thomson Reuters, Employment and Labor (2012-2018)

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