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The Law Offices of Scott T. Cliff
 

The Law Office Of Scott T. Cliff
The Law Office Of Scott T. Cliff
The Law Office Of Scott T. Cliff

The Law Office Of Scott T. Cliff
 

Contact Information

The Law Office of Scott T. Cliff
5550 SW Macadam Avenue
Suite 220
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 922-2071
info@sclifflaw.com

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT SCOTT T. CLIFF
 
“I could always expect you to respond quickly to my calls and provide me with well reasoned advice; sometimes legal and sometimes practical. You were a pleasure to work with and I always learned something new from you. You represented CenturyTel well. Your legal arguments in the many employment and labor related cases we worked on were beautifully argued and written; precise, persuasive and always on point.  I am sure that is why we never lost a case.” –Joseph Osa, Vice President Labor Relations, CenturyTel

We have worked with Scott Cliff for years, seeking advice on a broad spectrum of very complex employment matters in a health care setting.  From the very first meeting, Scott was instantly approachable and an extremely good listener.  He knew it was critical to understand our business and company culture in order to deliver the best advice.  We appreciate his very thorough but also frugal approach. 
--Kris Holgerson, VP Human Resources
Willamette Dental Group

 

"You were wonderful to work with. You always made me feel like I was the only person on your calendar and I could call you anytime for even the smallest of questions. It was very nice that when I called that you personally answered the phone instead of going thru a receptionist. The feeling I had was that you and I were partners, not attorney-client and I thank you for that. If I ever am in need of an attorney in the future, or if I know of anyone that needs legal help, I will give them your name."--(Employee client who retained her job and received a monetary settlement)

 

I was having problems with my employer concerning overtime wages.  I tried to deal with this problem on my own for over a year and a half.  Despite my best efforts I was not able to resolve the issue on my own.  Even worse, the employer started reducing my hours in response to my requests for resolution.  I decided to get some help and was referred by another lawyer to Scott Cliff.  Scott was extremely helpful and supportive.  He listened to my story, reviewed my information and immediately started getting results from my employer.  His depth of knowledge and experience in wage law helped me resolve my case with a very favorable resolution in a matter of just a few weeks.  I would highly recommend Scott Cliff to anyone having any kind of employment dispute. –Name withheld pursuant to settlement agreement.

Scott Cliff assisted me with a charge against my former employer with respect to their response to my request for reasonable accommodations for my disability. Scott was extremely well-informed, thorough, intelligent, and a genuine pleasure to work with. I relied on his expertise at a very difficult time, and I am so happy my husband and I found Scott to handle my case. We were disappointed with other attorneys we considered, but Scott impressed us immediately.

Scott showed integrity and empathy throughout the approximately six months it took to get the result we wanted.  He remained calm, professional, and focused despite the charged emotions that were part of the process. Scott's demeanor, combined with his expertise, helped ensure the matter was resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible. We are extremely pleased with the outcome.

I recommend Scott highly and without reservation for anyone seeking legal help with a disability-related employment matter.
--Name withheld pursuant to Settlement Agreement

 

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION:

Wrongful Discharge

Discrimination

Whistle-Blower

Wage & Hour

Non-Competition

Unlawful Harassment

Qui Tam/False Claims Act

EEOC Charges

HOURLY AND CONTINGENT

 
 

The Law Office Of Scott T. Cliff

 
 
About Scott T. Cliff
 

After clerking three years, while in law school, for Multnomah County's then-presiding Circuit Court Judge, Charles S. Crookham, Scott began his practice in 1987 with Portland's preeminent labor department at the Spears Lubersky law firm (the core group of which later broke away to form Barran Liebman, LLP). Since then, his practice has focused on litigation, arbitration and mediation of labor and employment disputes. Scott has represented numerous employers in state and federal courts, at trial and on appeal, most recently practicing as a shareholder in Amburgey & Rubin, P.C. for seven years.  

 

An accomplished writer, Scott briefed the Oregon Supreme Court on behalf of Associated Oregon Industries and the Association of Defense Counsel and in the landmark employment case of Sheets v. Knight, helping to preserve "at-will" employment in Oregon. Scott has contributed his writing talents to various legal treatises, including The Developing Labor Law, 2nd Ed., 5th Supp., 1982-1989 (BNA) and the Oregon State Bar's: Insurance, Evidence and Labor and Employment Law publications. Scott has also taught legal writing at Portland State University.

 

Education
University of California, San Diego, 1975-1977
Lewis and Clark College – B.S., 1979
Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College – J.D., 1987

 

Admitted to Practice
Oregon Bar
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
Washington Bar
U.S. District Court, Eastern & Western Districts of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

 

Professional Awards, Experience & Civic Involvement

  • Oregon State Bar (Member, Labor and Litigation Sections, 1987 – present; Executive Committee Member; Sole and Small Firm Practitioners' Section, 1996-1998, Chair Elect, 1999; Civil Rights Section, 1989 - 1990)
  • Court-appointed Arbitrator: Circuit Courts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties (1999-present)
  • Portland State University, Instructor, Legal Writing, (Spring Term 1993)
  • American Jurisprudence Award, Employment Discrimination (1987)
  • Regional Moot Court Finalist and National Qualifier, National Moot Court Competition, (1985)
  • Recipient: American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocacy — National Moot Court Competition (1985)

Articles & Presentations

  • Co-Presenter, "Behind the Truth--Two Opposing Sides of a Lawsuit," Portland Human Resource Management Association (April, 2008)
  • Presenter, "1099 versus W-2," Annual Convention of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals (September 2005)
  • Author and presenter, "Employment Related Records in Oregon," Lorman Educational Services (January 2005)
  • Guest Lecturer, "Strategic Human Resources Management," Concordia University MBA Program (March 2003; March 2004)
  • Author and presenter, "Payroll Management in Oregon," Lorman Educational Services (October 2003)
  • Author and presenter, "Litigation of Wage Claim Cases," Lorman Educational Services (March 2003)
  • Author and presenter, "Mandatory Arbitration of Employment Law Claims," Sterling Educational Services (January 2003)
  • Author and presenter, "Documentation of Performance, Discipline and Discharge From a Litigator's Perspective," Lorman Educational Services (October 2002)
  • Co-Author, "Equal Employment Opportunity: Disabilities," OSB Labor & Employment Law, Private Sector (2002 Revision)
  • Author, "Settlement of Wage Claims" and "Overtime Pay," The Oregon Labor Letter  "I've Got a Question" Column (December 2000)
  • Author, "Mediation—Just A Fancy Word For Surrender?" Feature Article, The Oregon Labor Letter (November 2000)
  • Guest Lecturer, "Litigation of Workplace Torts," Northwestern School of Law (November 1999)
  • Co-Presenter, "Effectively Using Mediation to Resolve Employment Disputes: A Mock Mediation," Managing A Work Force In 1999, Sponsored by The Oregon Labor Letter (April 1999)
  • Author, "There's Big Money In Not Getting Paid," Feature Article, The Oregon Labor Letter (March 1999)
  • Contributor and Quoted Source, "Weighing the risks: The do's and don'ts of hiring, firing," The Business Journal/Work Force Management Edition (August 1993)
  • Co-Author, "Standard Provisions & Conditions," Oregon Insurance CLE (1992)
  • Author, "Regulation of Agents and Adjusters," Oregon Insurance CLE (1992) 
  • Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law, 2nd Ed., 5th Supp., (BNA) (1988)
  • Contributor, "Admissions," Oregon State Bar Evidence CLE (1984)