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Todd A. Lyon

Partner


Portland, OR/Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle

t:503.205.8095

f:503.242.4263

m:503.715.7842

Email

Service Focus

  • Labor Relations
  • Litigation and Trials

Industry Focus

  • Cannabis
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Manufacturing
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Todd Lyon is a dynamic force in labor law, serving as the co-chair of the Labor Relations Practice Group at Fisher Phillips. With nearly three decades of experience, Todd is renowned for his innovative approach to solving complex labor issues across the country, with particular emphasis on businesses operating on the West Coast. His practice is dedicated to representing public and private sector employers in labor negotiations, strikes/lockouts, grievance and interest arbitrations, relocations and closures, work jurisdiction disputes, and employment and benefit litigation.

Todd's career began with representing labor organizations in Chicago and Seattle, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the labor spectrum. This dual perspective allows him to craft and deploy strategies that align with his clients' goals while maintaining constructive labor relations. His expertise spans a diverse range of industries, including:

  • Healthcare
  • Beverage distribution
  • Waste/recycling
  • Food manufacturing
  • Hospitality
  • Construction
  • Aerospace
  • Logistics
  • Transportation
  • Warehousing
  • Cannabis
  • Public sector

As a seasoned negotiator, Todd has successfully negotiated more than 100 pro-employer collective bargaining agreements. He is adept at developing and implementing robust strike contingency and contract implementation plans in the event a deal cannot be reached. His strategic focus on employee engagement enables him to guide clients through union organizing campaigns making third-party representation unnecessary. When litigation becomes unavoidable, Todd leverages his extensive experience to achieve superior results in hundreds of arbitrations, addressing a wide range of issues such as contract interpretation, discipline, union security, and interest arbitration. Additionally, Todd has conducted labor board hearings and federal litigation on matters including representation, unfair labor practices, work jurisdiction disputes, sympathy strikes, federal labor preemption, and unit clarifications. 

Todd is also a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing his insights at industry conferences, legal education programs, and client training sessions. His contributions to the field include serving as a Chapter Editor of The Developing Labor Law (since 1998) as well as Oregon's public sector labor law treatise. Certified by the American Arbitration Association as an Employment Law Arbitrator, Todd is recognized for his ability to conduct fair and efficient hearings, drawing on his extensive litigation experience.

Todd's commitment to excellence and his practical problem-solving skills have earned him accolades from peers and clients alike, making him a trusted advisor in the ever-evolving landscape of labor and employment law. He has recently been recognized in prestigious trade publications, including Chambers USA, The Legal 500 United States, and The Best Lawyers in America.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1997, cum laude, Hamline University School of Law
  • B.A., 1994, magna cum laude, Saint Norbert College

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon
  • Washington
  • California

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA, Labor and Employment (2023-2024)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021-2025)
  • Recommended as a leading practitioner for Labor-Management Relations by The Legal 500 United States (2022-2024)
  • National Public Employer Labor Relations Association’s 2017 Pacesetter Award
  • Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star (2011-2012); Super Lawyer (2013-2018)
  • Received AV ® Preeminent™ rating by his legal peers at Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2016 Oregon Public Employer Labor Relations Association Pacesetter Award

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Communications Director, NorCal LERA Board (2022)
  • President, Labor and Employment Relations Association – Oregon Chapter (2015-2016); Board member (2010-2017)
  • Faculty Member & Employment Law Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association – Employment Law
  • General Counsel, Oregon Public Employer Labor Relations Association (2016-2017); Vice President (2011-2016)
  • Opinion Evaluation Committee Co-Chair (2012); Rule Advisory Committee Member (2012-2017), State of Oregon Employment Relations Board

Community Activities

  • Classroom Law Project – Board of Directors (2012 - 2015)
  • Oregon High School Regional & State Mock Trial Judge (2008 - 2017)
  • Rose Villa Foundation, Inc. – President (2013-2015); Vice President (2012-2013); Board of Directors (2009-2015)

Insights

  • Event

    06/12/25

    Avoiding Toxic Labor Relations

    Todd A. Lyon, Erik M. Laiho

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/23/25

    Is Darth Vader Luring AI to the Dark Side of Labor Law? Why Latest Union Battle Means Employers Should Proceed with Caution

    Todd A. Lyon, Richard R. Meneghello, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/23/25

    SCOTUS Once Again Upholds Firing of NLRB Democrat Member Wilcox, But Battle Will Continue: What Should Employers Do?

    Steven M. Bernstein, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Rick Grimaldi, Todd A. Lyon, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • News

    05/21/25

    Media Outlets Cover FP’s Permanent Injunction and Declaratory Relief Against the State of Oregon to Enforce Measure 119

    Todd A. Lyon, Stephen Scott, Alexander A. Wheatley, Janelle Debes

    Read more 

  • Insights

    04/24/25

    Labor Shake-Up: Trump Reverses Biden Standards for Federally Funded EV and Clean Tech Projects

    Todd A. Lyon, Janelle Nunez

    Read more 

  • Event

    04/16/25

    Avoiding Toxic Labor Relations

    Todd A. Lyon, Erik M. Laiho

    Read more 

  • Event

    03/26/25

    National Labor Relations Board Changes and What to Expect Under Trump's Second Administration

    Steven M. Bernstein, Todd A. Lyon, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • News

    02/19/25

    Republished Insight: More States Consider Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers: What Employers Should Know About This Growing Trend copy

    Todd A. Lyon, Joshua D. Nadreau

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  • Insights

    02/14/25

    More States Consider Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers: What Employers Should Know About This Growing Trend

    Todd A. Lyon, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • Insights

    02/05/25

    What Employers Need to Know About the Current State of the NLRB

    Steven M. Bernstein, Rick Grimaldi, Todd A. Lyon, Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

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