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Alexander A. Wheatley

Partner


Portland/Seattle

t:503.205.8054

f:503.242.4263

Email

Service Focus

  • Employee Defection and Trade Secrets
  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • Labor Relations
  • Litigation and Trials
  • Pay Equity
  • Wage and Hour

Industry Focus

  • Cannabis
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Overview
Recent Experience
Insights
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations

Overview

Alex Wheatley is a partner in Fisher Phillips' Portland and Seattle offices. Alex’s practice focuses on employment litigation, labor management relations, and counseling employers on Oregon and Washington employment and labor issues. He has substantial experience working with employers of all sizes in creating and implementing policies and practices, providing counsel with respect to discipline and termination decisions, and defending employers in court and before administrative agencies such as the NLRB, EEOC, and BOLI. Alex represents employers with labor issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act, including organizing campaigns, labor negotiations, labor arbitrations, and collective bargaining. Alex provides counsel and training to executives and managers on compliance with leave, disability, wage and hour, equal pay, and anti-discrimination and retaliation laws.  Alex also has substantial experience conducting workplace investigations into employee complaints of discrimination and other alleged misconduct.

Alex understands that businesses often have to make tough decisions and works closely with clients to find creative solutions that allow the business to take the action needed while reducing the likelihood of expensive employment litigation. Alex also understands that even the most conscientious employer may face a claim by an employee or former employee, and he vigorously defends his clients while working hard to achieve the best outcome for the business. Alex’s experience has taught him which fights are worth fighting and how to find strategic resolutions to avoid protracted litigation.

Alex is a regular speaker at employment conferences and before trade groups. Alex is an avid researcher and writer, has authored numerous articles for various publications, and is a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law. Alex graduated from the University of Alabama and The Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. He graduated magna cum laude from Lewis & Clark, where he received the Legal Analysis and Writing Honors Award and served on the Editorial Board of Environmental Law as the Editor for the online journal. Away from work, Alex spends his time running after two young children and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Recent Experience

Experience

  • Litigated Numerous Cases to Positive Resolution:  Alex has tried several cases to both juries and the court in federal court, Washington state court, and Oregon state courts.  Alex has also represented many clients in arbitration. Alex has also assisted dozens of clients avoid trial by reaching a positive resolution through negotiation and mediation.
  • Prevailed on Pre-Trial Motions: Alex has prevailed on numerous motions to dismiss claims and entire suits in both state and federal court, disposing of lawsuits outright or substantially reducing their scope and value. Alex has also obtained summary judgment leading to complete dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims, avoiding the cost of trial.
  • Drafted Appellate Briefs:  Alex has drafted numerous appellate briefs to both the Oregon state courts of appeal and the 9th Circuit.  Alex has also drafted several Amicus briefs on behalf of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
  • Assisted Clients Through Wage Audits and Agency Investigations: Alex has represented and guided clients through Department of Labor payroll audits and investigations by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. Alex has a strong record of obtaining dismissals of EEOC and BOLI charges on behalf of clients.
  • Defended Clients in Class Action Wage and Hour Litigation: Alex has represented several multi-national corporations in a wage and hour class actions.
  • Counseled Businesses: Alex has provided compliance advice to clients of all different sizes and types on all different types of employment related topics – from emerging businesses with only a few employees, to very large corporations with hundreds or thousands of employees, and from the basics of how to hire the best talent to complex issues of wage and hour law.  Alex is experienced in drafting employment policies, handbooks, and compensation agreements. 
  • Conducted Investigations: Alex has assisted many clients with workplace investigations.  Alex has both conducted workplace investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, pay equity issues, threats of violence, and other allegations or complaints of wrongdoing or mismanagement. 

Insights

  • Insights

    06/02/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from May 2023

    Emily Alvarez, Alba V. Aviles, Steven M. Bernstein, Amanda M. Blair, Ted Boehm, Risa B. Boerner, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Melissa (Osipoff) Camire, Jennifer B. Carroll, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Micah Dickie, Heather Domingo, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Michael P. Elkon, Michael R. Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Rebecca Hause-Schultz, Megan L. Janes, David S. Jones, Sean Kingston, David Klass, Matthew R. Korn, Edwina C. Kye, Courtney Leyes, Jeffrey E. Mandel, John A. Mavros, Mary Grace Miller, Catharine Morisset, Joshua D. Nadreau, Karen L. Odash, Brett P. Owens, Alden J. Parker, Dean L. Petitta, Arthur L. Ramirez, Robin Repass, Christopher P. Stief, Connie Yang, Travis Vance, Alexander A. Wheatley, Kristin R.B. White

    Read more 

  • News

    06/01/23

    Partner’s Insight Referenced in HR Dive Article on Cannabis Testing

    Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/23/23

    Washington State Restricts Pre-Employment Cannabis Testing: 4 Key Takeaways for Employers

    Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/01/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from April 2023

    Cheryl L. Behymer, Amanda M. Blair, Risa B. Boerner, Raeann Burgo, Melissa (Osipoff) Camire, Micah Dawson, Stephen R. Gee, Usama Kahf, Matthew R. Korn, Karen L. Odash, Courtney Leyes, Richard R. Meneghello, Catharine Morisset, Lisa Nagele-Piazza, Raymond W. Perez, Justin Reiter, Marilynn Schuyler, Drew Tate, J. Hagood Tighe, Brett M. Wendt, Alexander A. Wheatley, Jeremy F. Wood, Annie Ziesing, Chad M. Zimlich

    Read more 

  • Insights

    04/13/23

    4 Trends for Cannabis Industry Employers to Track in 2023

    Lisa Nagele-Piazza, Catharine Morisset, Brett M. Wendt, Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • Insights

    03/31/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from March 2023

    William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Nicholas G. Anhold, Christina Anton, Cheryl L. Behymer, Steven M. Bernstein, Sheldon J. Blumling, Ted Boehm, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Melissa (Osipoff) Camire, Jennifer B. Carroll, Patrick J. Collopy, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Scott Fanning, James C. Fessenden, Jeffrey A. Fritz, Stephen R. Gee, Jason A. Geller, Leora Ghadoushi, Darcey M. Groden, Linda J. Gulledge, Rebecca Hause-Schultz, Marty Heller, Usama Kahf, Courtney Leyes, Emily N. Litzinger, Todd B. Logsdon, Todd A. Lyon, Steve A. Miller, Danielle Hultenius Moore, Brett P. Owens, John M. Polson, Abby Harrington Putzulu, Alden J. Parker, Michelli Rivera, Kristin L. Smith, Michele Solari, J. Hagood Tighe, A. Kevin Troutman, Danielle S. Urban, Travis Vance, Spencer W. Waldron, Alexander A. Wheatley, Kristin R.B. White, Sheila M. Willis

    Read more 

  • News

    03/30/23

    Staffing Industry Analysts Cites Fisher Phillips Insight on Uptick in Organizing and Recent NLRB Guidance Memos

    Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • Insights

    03/24/23

    NLRB General Counsel Doubles Down on Captive Audience Meetings in Response to Legal Challenge

    Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • News

    12/05/22

    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Turns to Labor Attorneys for Insight on Cannabis Labor Peace Agreements

    Todd A. Lyon, Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • Event

    02/03/21

    The Times They Are A-Changin’: What to Expect from a Biden NLRB

    Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

View All 

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2010, magna cum laude, Lewis & Clark Law School
  • B.S., 2006, cum laude, University of Alabama

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon
  • Washington

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021 - 2023)
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015-2020)

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Amicus Committee, Oregon Justice Resource Center
  • Barrister Member, Owen Panner Inn of Court
  • 2017-2020, Instructor, Oregon State University Professional and Continuing Education, Human Resources: Legal Aspects.

Community Activities

  • Executive Committee Member, Young Patrons Portland Art Museum

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