Hannah LaChance is an attorney in the firm’s employment advice and litigation practices where she advocates for businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools as they navigate complex legal challenges and develop strategic compliance plans. Having grown up in a family of teachers and as a Midwestern native, working with people as well as training and educating clients is Hannah’s favorite part of her work. Hannah is the go-to for handbook reviews, workplace trainings, leave polices, HR audits, and severance agreements.
While obtaining her law degree, summa cum laude, from Lewis & Clark College of Law, Hannah served as a clerk at Barran Liebman, an Article Editor of Lewis & Clark Law Review, as President of the College’s Women’s Law Caucus, and as a Peer Mentor to first-year law students. Before joining the Barran Liebman team, she served as the Legal Clinic Coordinator for Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, an intern at the Small Business Legal Clinic, as well as a Summer Law Clerk for Legal Aid Services of Oregon in Douglas County. Through these roles, Hannah gained experience intaking clients, researching complex legal inquiries, drafting memos, and developing case strategies alongside attorneys.
Prior to law school and during her undergraduate studies at Franklin & Marshall College (where she earned her B.A. in Spanish and Philosophy), Hannah worked in various positions including as a Patient Services Coordinator for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, as a tutor at Franklin & Marshall College’s Writing Center, as an Intern for the United States Attorney’s Office (Sex Offense & Domestic Violence Unit), as a Student Representative for her College’s Accreditation Committee, and as a Student Representative for Franklin & Marshall College’s Committee on Sexual Misconduct. Hannah enjoyed the opportunity to develop her Spanish-speaking proficiency through several of these diverse roles, as well as through community service with English language schools. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys yoga, ceramics, and exploring Portland’s vibrant coffee and restaurant scene.
Representative Matters
Tailored a comprehensive employee handbook for large non-profit corporation.
Developed workplace trainings for employers on topics ranging from general legal updates to work visas and leave policies.
Administered a comprehensive HR audit of accounting firm to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Drafted severance agreements for a professional services firm, helping to avoid costly future litigation.
Professional Experience & Affiliations
Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: Clinic Coordinator (2022-2023)
Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Douglas County: Summer Law Clerk (2022)
Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region: Patient Services Coordinator (2020)
United States Attorney’s Office, Sex Offense/Domestic Violence Unit: Intern (2019)
Civic Activities
Lancaster City Housing Authority: Intern (2018)
International Welcome Center at Ritenour School District, St. Louis: Volunteer (2018)
Representative Presentations
Oregon and SW Washington Association of Healthcare Recruiters (OSWACHR): “2024 Employment Law Update”, Presenter (11/1/24)
ABA CLE: “Pitfalls & Best Practices for Making the Most of Hybrid & Virtual Work Arrangements,” Co-Presenter (1/24/24)
Representative Publications
“Washington Labor and Industries Announces Minimum Wage for 2025,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, October 14, 2024
“Washington Draft Rules on Equal Pay,” Oregon Business Report, September 17, 2024
“Washington L&I Releases Draft Rules on Amendment to Equal Pay and Opportunities Act,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, September 16, 2024
“NLRB Regional Director Pursuing Charge That Amazon Is a Joint Employer with Its Contractor for Delivery Drivers,” Oregon Business Report, September 4, 2024
“NLRB Regional Director Pursuing Charge That Amazon Is a Joint Employer with Its Contractor for Delivery Drivers,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 29, 2024
“Federal Judge Sets Aside the FTC’s Recent Non-Compete Ban,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 26, 2024
“Do Your Employees Wear Uniforms? NLRB Determines That Employees Are Protected in Wearing Black Lives Matter Pins at Work,” Cascade Business News, April 3, 2024
“So, You’re Hiring a Summer Intern…What About Payment?” Daily Journal of Commerce, March 22, 2024; Republished in New England Biz Law Update, April 2, 2024
“Why 2024 is the Year to Write It Down: The Importance of Employer Documentation & Discipline,” Cascade Business News, February 7, 2024
“Restrictions on No-Rehire Provisions in Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreements,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, February 5, 2024
“NLRB Updates Its Standards for Unionizing a Workplace,” The Daily Reporter, January 26, 2024; New England Biz Law Update, January 30, 2024
“The NLRB Updates Its Standards for Unionizing a Workplace,” Daily Journal of Commerce, January 25, 2024
“2024 Updates to Washington Wage Thresholds,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, January 10, 2024
“Legal Considerations & Best Practices for Employers Utilizing Temporary Employees,” Independent Electrical Contractors Association Employer News, October 2, 2023
“Wage & Hour: Ensuring Compliance in a Remote Workplace,” HR.com Legal & Compliance Excellence Issue, August 31, 2023
“Important Reminders for Employers About Oregon’s Wildfire Smoke Rules,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 29, 2023
“In Wake of Court Decision, Review Religious Accommodation Policies,” Daily Journal of Commerce, August 23, 2023
“New Guidance on AI Use in HR Processes,” Cascade Business News, August 2, 2023
“EEOC Releases Updated Guidance on the ADA & Visual Disabilities,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 2, 2023
“What’s New with the Form I-9: An Updated Form, E-Verify & Reverification Requirements,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, July 27, 2023
“Summer Is Here: Important Reminders for Employers About Oregon’s Heat Illness Prevention Rules,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, July 26, 2023
“Oregon Adds Independent Contractors to Child Support Reporting Requirements,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, July 18, 2023
“Joint Employment: What It Is & Why It Matters to Your Business,” Cascade Business News, July 5, 2023
“U.S. Supreme Court Sets New Standard for Evaluating Religious Accommodations,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, June 30, 2023
“New Law Brings Aspects of Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA into Alignment,” Daily Journal of Commerce, June 23, 2023