Carolyn D. Walker
Experience
Carolyn Walker is a partner of the firm practicing in the Labor and Employment group.
She has extensive experience litigating and counseling clients on a wide variety of
employment matters including retaliation; wrongful discharge claims based on race,
ethnic origin, gender, age and religion; FMLA and state leave laws; sexual and racial
harassment; disability discrimination; discipline and discharge; wage and hour;
breaches of employment contracts; and other claims arising in the employment
context.
Additionally, Carolyn investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination and
responds to governmental agency complaints filed against employers. She has
represented clients in jury trials, in arbitrations and mediations, and before
administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and
the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. Carolyn represents employers across all
Partner
industries, with a special concentration in the areas of health care, higher education,
Portland, OR
agriculture and energy.
(503) 294-9358 direct
Before Joining Stoel Rives, Carolyn was Of Counsel, Vantage Legal Solutions, LLC,
Chicago, Illinois (2006-2008); vice president of Business and Legal Operations, Cosmic
Knits, Inc., Portland, Oregon (2005-2007); shareholder (2000-2005) and associate
(503) 220-2480 fax
carolyn.walker@stoel.com
(1997-1999), Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, LLP, Portland, Oregon; associate, Lindow &
Education
Treat, LLP, San Antonio, Texas (1996-1997); associate, Jones Kurth & Treat, PC, San

University of Michigan Law School,
Antonio, Texas (1992-1996); associate, Fulbright & Jaworski, San Antonio, Texas
J.D., 1991
(1991-1992); and systems analyst, Chrysler Motors Corporation (1986-1988).
University of Michigan Book Award in
Writing and Advocacy
University of Michigan Journal of Law
Reform
Professional Honors and Activities

Listed in Best Lawyers in America© (currently: Employment Law-Management),
Black Law Students Alliance
2012-2016

Included in "Top 250 Women in Litigation," by Benchmark Litigation, 2013-2014

Former Commissioner, Government Standards and Practices Commission for state
of Oregon
Central Student Judiciary

Eastern Michigan University, B.S., 1986
Admissions

Oregon

Texas (inactive)
Presentations and Publications

Washington


U.S. District Court for the Districts of

Former member, Judicial Screening Committee, Multnomah Bar Association
Speaker, "Best Practices in Employee Termination," SHRM/Stoel Rives 14th Annual
Labor and Employment Law Conference, Mar. 2, 2016

Speaker, "Oregon's New Statewide Sick Leave Law," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and
Employment Seminar, Dec. 3, 2015
Oregon and Texas
Carolyn D. Walker

Speaker, "Navigating Agency Complaints," SHRM/Stoel Rives 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, Mar. 2015

“FMLA Leave or ADA Accommodation (Or Both)? Overview of Beyond the Basics,” Employers and the Law: 2013-2014 Anthology
of Best Articles, 2014

Speaker, “Home Health Care Providers and the FLSA: My How Things Have Changed,” Oregon Health Care Association, Oct. 21,
2014

Speaker, “Responding to Discrimination Complaints – Expert Tips and Strategies for BOLI/EEOC Responses,” NW EEO/Affirmative
Action Association, June 12, 2014

Speaker, "Family Leave and Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation – Beyond the Basics," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment
Seminar, May 22, 2013

Speaker, "Dealing with Workplace Emergencies," Eleventh Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, SHRM Oregon State
Council, Feb. 28, 2013

Speaker, "Health Care Reform - After the Supreme Court's Decision: Group Health Plan Update 2012," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and
Employment Seminar, Oct. 4, 2012

Speaker, "Common Mistakes Employers Make," Tenth Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, SHRM Oregon State
Council, Mar. 8, 2012

Speaker, "Important Topics in Employment Law," Presentation to Non Profit Human Resources Professionals, Sep. 15, 2011

Speaker, "Responding to Agency Complaints," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Sep. 8, 2011

Speaker, "It's Alive! What You Need to Know About Recent Health Care Reform Legislation," SHRM Ninth Annual Labor &
Employment Law Conference, Mar. 10, 2011

Speaker, "Employment Issues," Stoel Rives 4th Annual Oregon Wine Law Seminar, Feb. 3, 2011

Speaker, "Health Care Reform: Implications for Employers and Employer-Sponsored Health Plans," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and
Employment Seminar, June 9, 2010

Speaker, "Injured Workers and OSHA Compliance," SHRM Eighth Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference, Mar. 11, 2010

Speaker, "What's New in Employment Law?," Presentation to Financial Executives International, Apr. 21, 2010

Speaker, "Workplace Investigations of Employment Issues for Paralegals," Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association, Jan. 20, 2010

Speaker, "Managing the Injured Worker," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Oct. 20, 2009

Speaker, "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat: Discrimination and Retaliation Basics," SHRM Seventh Annual Labor & Employment
Law Conference, Mar. 4, 2009

Speaker, "Staying Dry in the Downturn's Deluge Without a Tarp – Some Thoughts for General Counsel," Stoel Rives General
Counsel Roundtable, Dec. 11, 2008

Speaker, "Noncompetes, Nonsolicitation and Confidentiality: Lessons Learned after a Year Under Oregon's New Noncompete
Law," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Sep. 25, 2008
Carolyn D. Walker

Speaker, "Dispute Resolution from the Experts: Mediation Ethics – Mediating Over, Under, Around, and Through the Oregon Rules
of Professional Conduct," Oregon State Bar, Sep. 19, 2008

Speaker, "Avoiding Hiring Hazards," Stoel Rives LLP Labor and Employment Seminar, Aug. 28, 2008

Speaker, "A Bad Day at the Office: Mock Deposition of an HR Manager," Lane Powell Spears Lubersky Breakfast Series, 2004

Speaker, "2003 Wage and Hour Update," Lorman Education Services, 2003

Speaker, "Effective Supervisory Practices," Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, 2002

Speaker, "Ten Tips for Your Handbook Review in Oregon," Lorman Education Services, 2002
Civic Activities

Board member, Friends of the Children (Portland)

Board member, Oregon Community Foundation

Trustee, Oregon Association of Independent Colleges and Universities