Bruce T. Garrett

Employment law affects everyone. Nearly every person is a manager or an employee at some point in their life, and every industry relies on employers to create fair, functional workplaces. Bruce Garrett genuinely enjoys this area of law because of its reach and variety—no two workplaces or issues are alike. From employee classification and wage laws to discipline, accommodations, leave, and severance agreements, he values the challenge and nuance each matter presents.

Effective legal advice begins with understanding how clients operate—their people, values, and daily challenges. Bruce invests time in learning each workplace he serves, whether large or small, because understanding why employers act as they do is essential to both sound counseling and effective litigation. This approach allows him to develop strategies grounded in real workplace dynamics, not just statutes and procedure.

His practice combines litigation experience with preventive counseling. He represents clients in state and federal courts and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and he regularly advises employers on compliance, workplace disputes, and employment agreements. His goal in every matter is the same—to provide practical, strategic solutions that allow clients to focus on their work, not their disputes.

An emphasis on the human side of employment law runs throughout Bruce’s work. He encourages managers and HR professionals to rely on judgment, intuition, and empathy when addressing personnel issues, recognizing that compassion and understanding often lead to better outcomes than rigid formality.

He works with both small and large employers and understands that their needs differ. Price transparency and proportionality are core to his practice. When his expertise is not necessary or his involvement would not be cost-effective, Bruce says so—believing honesty and efficiency serve clients best.

A graduate cum laude of Willamette University College of Law with a Certificate in Law and Business, Bruce founded and served as President of the Labor and Employment Law Association, sat on the Moot Court Board, and worked as a Note and Comment Editor for the Willamette Law Review. He externed for the Honorable Adrienne Nelson of the Oregon Supreme Court and for the Appellate Division of the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, where he honed his skills in legal research, writing, and appellate advocacy.

Before law school, he earned his B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University and spent nearly a decade with the Social Security Administration in roles involving policy analysis, adjudication, and program management—experience that continues to inform his practical approach to workplace issues.

In his free time, Bruce enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, attending Seattle sporting events, and traveling.

Presentations

Published Work

• “DOL’s Salary Basis Rule Vacated; Employers Should Still Exercise Caution with Exempt Classifications,” Client Alert, November 25, 2024

• “FTC’s Non-Compete Ban Blocked; Oregon and Washington Employers Should Still Exercise Caution,” Client Alert, August 22, 2024

• “Legal Considerations & Best Practices for Employers Utilizing Temporary Employees,” Client Alert, October 2, 2023

• “Joint Employment: What It Is & Why It Matters to Your Business,” Cascade Business News, July 13, 2023

• “Complexities of Injured Workers’ Reinstatement & Reemployment Rights,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 28, 2023

• “Attendance Policy Best Practices for Employers,” Cascade Business News, October 27, 2022

• “Injured Employees Present Compliance Juggling Act for Employers,” Cascade Business News, February 24, 2022

• “How Employers Should Handle Vaccine Mandates Tied Up in Court,” Oregon Business Report, December 14, 2021

• “Employers Who Utilize Independent Contractors Should Take Steps to Avoid Employee Misclassification Claims,” Independent Electrical Contractors Association Employer News, December 1, 2021

• “New Employer Child Care Benefit Rule Goes Into Effect,” Oregon Business Report, September 26, 2021

• “Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates are Withstanding Legal Challenges, but Obstacles Persist,” Cascade Business News, September 15, 2021

• “What Biden’s New COVID Labor Rules Mean for Employers,” Oregon Business Report, September 14, 2021

• “Those Fired for Refusing Vaccine May Not Be Eligible for Jobless Benefits,” Oregon Business Report, September 2, 2021

• “Telework 2021: Employment Law Issue Spotting,” Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section, May 2021

• “Rules on Eligibility for Federal Emergency Paid Leave Called Into Question,” Cascade Business News, August 19, 2020

• “COVID Commotion: How to Navigate the Work from Home Waters,” Association of Corporate Counsel Newsletter, June 2020

Presentations

• Multnomah Bar Association (MBA): “Employment Law Update 2025.” May 7, 2025

• Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Webinar: “Gender & Gender Identity in the Workplace: Pronouns, Practical Approaches, & Policies.” February 19, 2025

• Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Webinar: “Employee Severance and Separation Agreements.” August 2024

• Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Webinar: “Supporting Injured and Disabled Employees in the Workplace: An Employer’s Role.” February 2024

• Client Webinar: “Overseeing Injured or Disabled Employees: Response, Requirements & Resources for Employers.” August 2023

• Client Webinar: “Navigating the New Wildfire Smoke & Heat Illness Prevention Rules: How to Keep Your Employees Safe & Stay in Compliance.” June 2022

• West Linn Chamber of Commerce, Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, & Business Recovery Centers for Clackamas County: “COVID-19 Now, Next, & Beyond: Best Practices for Navigating COVID-19 in the Workplace.” January 2022

  Admissions
  Oregon State Bar
  U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
  U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

  Education
  J.D., cum laude, Willamette University College of Law
  B.A., Political Science, Washington State University

  Selected Honors & Affiliations
  Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Member
  American Bar Association: Member, Labor & Employment Section
  Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Law Section: Member
  Legal Extern for the Honorable Adrienne Nelson, Oregon Supreme Court
  Legal Extern, Clark County District Attorney’s Office – Appellate Division
  Recipient, Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section Scholarship for Top Securities Student in an Oregon Law School