Natalie M. Pattison

Attorney

P: 503-276-2104
F: 503-274-1212

601 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 2300
Portland, OR 97204

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Assistant:
Tami Tolbert
(503) 276-2127
ttolbert@barran.com

Practice Areas

Admitted to Practice

  • Oregon

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Academics

  • University of Oregon School of Law (J.D.): The Oregon Review of International Law: Articles Editor; OUTLaws (the LGBTQ law student group): President; Community Action Public Service Group: Co-Director; LexisNexis® Professional Research Certified

  • Lake Forest College (B.A., cum laude): Dean’s List; All-Academic Team; NCAA Collegiate Athlete in Varsity Ice Hockey; Pi Sigma Alpha; Phi Sigma Tau

Natalie Pattison counsels and represents employers, management, and higher education institutions on a wide range of employment issues and litigation. She defends employers against a variety of workplace-related claims, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations. As a member of the firm’s higher education practice, Natalie works with higher education institutions on the unique compliance and litigation matters they face.

In addition to working closely with clients to ensure satisfactory resolution when the need for litigation arises, she proactively counsels clients with the aim of providing efficient and proactive solutions and assists management in developing effective workplace policies that comply with the latest legislative changes at the state and national levels.  Prior to joining Barran Liebman, Natalie served as a Judicial Extern for Honorable Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta at the U.S. District Court (District of Oregon) and as a Law Clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office.

Actively involved in the community, Natalie serves on the Associates Committee for the Campaign for Equal Justice and is a member of Oregon Women Lawyers and the Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Pro Bono Committee.  Natalie earned her J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, where she served as an Articles Editor for The Oregon Review of International Law, as the President of OUTLaws (the LGBTQ law student group), and as Co-Director of the Community Action Public Service Group.  In recognition of her legal research and writing skills, she was also honored with the University of Oregon’s 2018 Excellence in Written Advocacy Award for her analysis, research, persuasiveness, and clear writing.  

Prior to pursing her legal studies, Natalie received her B.A., cum laude, from Lake Forest College (while participating as an NCAA Collegiate Athlete in Varsity Ice Hockey).  She also worked as an Administrative Intern for Lake Forest City Hall, where she developed and published the City of Lake Forest liquor license renewal packet. 

Representative Matters

  • Counsel for Higher Education Institution: Represented University in response to complaint filed with the EEOC alleging discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment.

  • Counsel for Private University: Represent University in high-profile whistleblower retaliation and employment discrimination suit; obtained favorable settlement through multi-day mediation. 

  • Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained a full dismissal with prejudice of claims alleging retaliation, disability discrimination, and failure to accommodate.

  • Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained a full dismissal with prejudice of claims alleging violations of federal and state leave laws, disability discrimination, and wrongful termination.

  • Counsel for Local Non-Profit Organization: Obtained a full dismissal with prejudice of claims alleging unpaid wages.

  • Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging whistleblower retaliation.

  • Represented Local Non-Profit in negotiating collective bargaining agreement with union.

  • Counsel for Multi-National Corporation: Successfully defended against EEOC charge alleging discrimination and retaliation.

  • Counsel for Private Employer: Represented private corporation against claims alleging discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and unpaid wages; negotiated favorable settlement.

  • Counsel for Private Corporation: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging workers’ compensation discrimination and retaliation.

  • Counsel for Private & Non-Profit Employers from Diverse Industry Groups: Advised on employee terminations and separations; negotiated severance and settlement; drafted employment separation and severance agreements.

  • Drafted amicus curiae brief on behalf of nonprofit association in support of public employer’s appeal of a state agency’s decision.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Pro Bono Committee Chair (2024-present); Member (2021-present)

  • LGBT Bar Association of Oregon (OGALLA): Member (2020-present)

  • Oregon Women Lawyers: Member (2020-present)

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon: Judicial Extern for the Honorable John V. Acosta, U.S. Magistrate Judge (January-April 2020)

  • United States Attorney’s Office, Eugene, Oregon: Law Clerk (May 2018-May 2019)

  • Robert Half International, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Administrative Assistant (January-July 2017)

  • Lake Forest City Hall, Lake Forest, Illinois: Administrative Intern (April 2014-April 2016)

  • Lake Forest College Recreation Center, Lake Forest, Illinois: Manager (April 2014-April 2016)

Honors

  • Campaign for Equal Justice: Associates Committee Award (2020-2021)

  • University of Oregon School of Law: Excellence in Written Advocacy Award (2018)

Civic Activities

  • Campaign for Equal Justice: Associates Committee (2020-present)

Representative Presentations

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Understanding Harassment,” Presenter (8/22/24)

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Employee Relations SIG: “Navigating Employee Discipline, Discharge & Documentation,” Co-Presenter (6/5/24)

  • Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) Northwest Federal Tax Conference: “Employment Law Update,” Presenter (11/13/23)

  • Oregon & SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruitment Fall Conference: “Legal Update: Employment Law Updates & Best Practices for Compliance,” Presenter (11/3/23)

  • Yamhill County SHRM: “Annual HR Basics Seminar,” Co-Presenter (10/12/23)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “That’s Not How We Do Things Here: Harassment Free Workplace Training,” Presenter (8/24/23)

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Spring Certification Study Group: “U.S. Employment Law & Regulations,” Co-Presenter (4/5/23)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Workplace Harassment Prevention & Child Abuse Reporting for Staff Working with Minors,” Presenter (12/1/22)

  • Oregon & SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruitment (OSWAHCR) Fall Conference: “Legal Update: Employment Law Updates & Best Practices for Compliance,” Presenter (11/3/22)

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Fall Certification Study Group: “Equity, Diversity & Inclusion,” Presenter (9/27/22)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Harassment Doesn’t Work Here,” Presenter (8/25/22)

  • National Association for Healthcare Recruitment Annual Conference: “Legal Update: Employment Law Updates & Best Practices for Compliance,” (7/19/22)

  • Rogue Valley SHRM May Legal Seminar: “Significant NLRB Legislation,” Presenter (5/17/22)

  • MBA CLE: “Employment Law Update: What is the Current Status of COVID-19-Related Employment Law?,” Presenter (4/29/22)

  • Oregon & SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruitment (OSWAHCR) Fall Conference: “Employment Law Update,” Presenter (11/5/21)

  • Oregon State Bar Business Law Section CLE: “Beyond the Pandemic: Workplace Considerations for Post-COVID-19 Reopening,” Presenter (10/21/21)

  • Independent Electrical Contractors Association of Oregon (IEC) Make the Connection Lunch: “How to Union-Proof Your Company,” Presenter (10/14/21)

  • Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA): “Employee/Labor Relations,” Presenter (10/5/21)

  • The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Oregon-Columbia Chapter Lunch & Learn: “The Oregon Workplace Fairness Act,” Presenter (8/25/21)

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Legal Update: “Beyond the Pandemic: Workplace Considerations for Post-COVID Reopening,” Co-Presenter (6/24/21)

  • Portland Metropolitan Payroll Association: “Best Practices for Navigating COVID-19 in the Workplace,” Presenter (6/17/21)

  • Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce: “COVID-19—Masks, Vaccines, Oh My!,” Presenter (6/4/21)

  • Joint Webinar with HR Annie Consulting: “COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace: Considerations & Best Practices for Employers,” Presenter (3/3/21)

  • Yamhill County Human Resource Association: “HR Basics Webinar: COVID-19, Disability Accommodations, Leave Law, & More,” Presenter (1/14/21; 1/15/21)

Representative Publications