Sussman Shank LLP is pleased to welcome three new members to the firm's Litigation Department. Timothy J. Coleman joins the firm as a Partner, Tab Wood joins as an Associate, and Sean R. McClendon joins as a Staff Attorney and Paralegal.  

A Portland, Oregon jury on Monday, February 12 returned a defense verdict in favor of Safeway on 10 employment claims consisting of alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation and protected leave interference under federal and Oregon law. 

Lane Powell has been named the 2018 “Northwest Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation. The recognition arises from the strength of the firm’s case matters during 2017, including precedents set and verdicts with notable high dollar amounts at stake.

Lane Powell is pleased to announce that seven attorneys from its Portland and Seattle offices have been elected shareholders of the firm, effective January 1, 2018. Lane Powell President Chuck Riley states “We are fortunate to have an extremely talented team of attorneys here at Lane Powell and we are truly excited about what each of these new shareholders will contribute to our future.”

Thanks to the leadership efforts of Sussman Shank LLP's Sustainability Committee, the firm is proud to announce it has achieved Sustainability at Work's Gold Certification for the next three years, through 2020.  The certification recognizes the firm's commitment to helping make Portland one of the cleanest, most sustainable cities in the country.

Sustainability at Work was formed in 2007 as part of a City of Portland initiative to help businesses improve their environmental practices.  This program has been informed by national and local research, input from Portland businesses, and by the expertise of local partners to provide participants the tools needed to succeed in their sustainability efforts in the workplace.

Sustainability at Work offers three levels of certification to recognize businesses' positive impacts on the environment and community: Gold, Silver, and Certified. In order to receive Gold Certification within its office environment, Sussman Shank completed many actions to maintain daily sustainability.

Some of Sussman Shank's sustainability initiatives include:
    •    Caterers who follow sustainable practices – reusable dishware, buffet style serving, minimal packaging, etc.

    •    A system in place to gather employee feedback, comments, and suggestions related to sustainability actions at work.  This includes our annual State of Sustainability meeting, blurbs in our Daily Buzz, and a Sustainability Committee available at all times.

    •    Alternative transportation for work-related trips whenever possible (walk, bike, transit, carshare, carpool, and/or electric vehicles).

    •    Bicycle tire repair kit, air pump, and a spare lock are available for employees and visitors.

    •    Occupancy sensors for lighting are used throughout the office.   

    •    Yearly participation in the Bike More Challenge.

    •    Two-week pedometer challenge each year to encourage employees to walk more.

    •    Recycling and compost receptacles are provided in eating areas.

Sussman Shank's Sustainability Committee chair, Steven Mayock, shares, "The Sustainability Committee is constantly evaluating our practices to see how we can have less of an impact on the environment while still providing quality service to our clients.  It's great to be recognized for our efforts, but this doesn't mean our work stops here." 

Earning Sustainability at Work's Gold Certification is an honor, and Sussman Shank looks forward to its continued and improved initiatives toward sustainability.