Ashley Korkeakoski-Sears is a member of the firm’s employment advice and litigation practices. With an emphasis on proactivity, she strives to guide clients through important management decisions to address legal concerns before they arise.

Ashley’s litigation experience includes serving as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Adrienne Nelson within both the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and the Oregon Supreme Court. Throughout these roles, Ashley collaborated with Judge Nelson to establish chamber procedures and policies while drafting written legal analyses of complex motions through opinions, orders, and bench memorandums. In addition to a number of employment law matters, Ashley’s research and case analysis included matters of civil rights, insurance defense, trademarks, construction, and foreclosure/lien.

Throughout her legal studies, Ashley served in both private practice and as a Law Fellow for Public Defenders of Marion County, where she drafted motions in limine, motions to suppress, jury instructions, and motions to dismiss. In addition to drafting motions and memorandums, she regularly appeared in court for hearings, arraignments, and plea entries. Prior to pursuing a legal career, Ashley was a Team Leader for City Year and an Americorps member, where she instructed and supported fifth grade students and supervised Americorps members in developing professional and personal skills.

Ashley earned her J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law, graduating in the top 25% of her class. She earned her B.A., cum laude, in English and American Literature (with minors in Spanish and Sociology) from New York University. Outside of her legal practice, Ashley enjoys kickboxing, baking, true crime podcasts, and young adult novels.

Representative Matters

• Defended manufacturing company against charges of workers’ compensation interference and hazard reporting retaliation filed with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.

• Represented private employer against claims for unpaid wages and discrimination and successfully negotiated a favorable settlement in mediation.

• Defended property management company against charges of discrimination, retaliation, and sick leave interference filed with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.

• Represented nonprofit organization against claims for pregnancy discrimination and leave law violations.

• Advised employer on procedures for accommodation process related to service animals and emotional support animals in the workplace.

• Reviewed numerous employee handbooks to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Representative Presentations

• Oregon and SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruiters (OSWAHCR): “2024 Employment Law Update”, Presenter (11/1/24)

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• United States District Court for the District of Oregon: Inaugural Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Adrienne Nelson (2023-2024)

• Oregon Supreme Court: Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Adrienne Nelson (2022-2023)

• American Bar Association (2024-Present)

• Public Defenders of Marion County: Law Fellow (2021)

• Private Practice: 2L Summer Associate (2021); 1L Diversity Fellow (2020)

• City Year: Team Leader (2018-2019); Americorps Member (2017-2018)

Representative Publications

• “New Minimum Salary for Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements in Oregon,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, January 30, 2025

• “The New Year Brings New Changes to Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, December 20, 2024

• “New Protections for Warehouse Distribution Centers Effective January 1, 2025,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, December 19, 2024

• “ ’Tis the Season: Need-to-Know Info About Holiday Compensation,” Daily Journal of Commerce, October 24, 2024

Honors

• Boston University School of Law: Dean’s Award – Civil Procedure (2019)