Wilson S. Jarrell

Partner

P: 503-276-2181
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

  • Washington

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Academics

  • University of Oregon School of Law (J.D.): Order of the Coif; Environmental and Natural Resources Fellow; Legal Research and Writing Tutor for Prof. Megan McAlpin; Public Interest Environmental Law Conference Co-Director; Green Business Initiative: Finance Chair; Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association for Law & Intellectual Property and Land Air Water: Member

  • Humboldt State University (B.A., magna cum laude)

Wilson Jarrell advises and represents employers, management, and higher education institutions on a wide range of employment issues. He proactively counsels management in developing effective workplace policies, and works closely with clients to ensure satisfactory resolution when the need for litigation arises. As a member of the firm’s Higher Education practice, Wilson often works with institutions of higher education on the unique compliance matters and issues that such institutions face. Additionally, he frequently serves as a workplace investigator, regularly conducting investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other sensitive issues.

Wilson understands that the business needs and goals of his clients are paramount, and thus focuses on providing reliable, efficient, creative, and tailored solutions to each individual problem that may arise. By quickly developing an understanding of his clients’ unique businesses, he is able to provide responsive, solution-oriented advice and representation that gets clients back to doing what they do best: running their business.

Prior to joining Barran Liebman, Wilson externed for the Honorable Marco A. Hernandez, and clerked for the Office of Lincoln County Legal Counsel. He graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law, third in his class, where he was elected to Oregon Law’s Order of the Coif for his outstanding commitment to academic excellence. Wilson received his B.A., magna cum laude, in Mathematics from Humboldt State University, which nurtured his love of creative problem-solving. Throughout the duration of his legal education, Wilson was highly active in the community, serving as both an Environmental and Natural Resource Fellow and the Co-Director of the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference. Wilson remains active in his community today, serving as a Board Member for the Federal Bar Association Oregon Chapter, a member of the Labor & Employment Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar, and as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section.

Representative Matters

  • Counsel for a Local County: Served as lead investigator into cross-complaints involving senior management regarding claims of racial discrimination, intimidation, hostile work environment, and retaliation

  • Counsel for a State Agency: Conducted multiple investigations regarding claims of discrimination, hostile work environment, harassment, and retaliation

  • Counsel for a Local County: Conducted investigation regarding claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, and racial discrimination

  • Counsel for a Local Special District: Conducted investigation regarding employee misconduct and retaliation

  • Counsel for a Private Corporation: Represented local company in response to employee complaints of disability discrimination filed with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries

  • Counsel for Local Financial Institution: Represented Pacific Northwest bank in lawsuit alleging whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination

  • Counsel for an International Shoe Company: Drafted confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements for company-wide use

  • Counsel for a Higher Education Institution: Conducted independent contractor audit in response to individuals working as both employees and independent contractors

  • Counsel for a Local Private Corporation: Advised on termination of executive officer

  • Counsel for a Large International Corporation: Advised on compliance with federal and state regulations specific to substance abuse testing

  • Counsel for a Large Oregon Brewery: Advised on Paid Time Off policies and compliance with Oregon Sick Leave laws

  • Counsel for a Private Company: Advised on independent contractor classification issues and drafted independent contractor agreement

  • Counsel for a Non-Profit: Advised on long-term disability and scope of applicable exemptions from various laws and regulations for a religious organization

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • Oregon State Bar: Labor & Employment Executive Committee (2024-present)

  • National Association of College & University Attorneys (NACUA): Member (2023-present)

  • Federal Bar Association Oregon Chapter: Board Member (2021-present); Member (2021-present)

  • Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Treasurer (2024-present); Board of Directors (2022-present); Board Liaison to the CLE Committee (2022-2024); Service to the Public Committee, Co-Chair (2021-2022); Member (2018-present)

  • Honorable Judge Marco A. Hernandez: Legal Extern (2017)

  • Earthjustice Northwest Regional Office: Law Clerk (2017)

  • Office of Lincoln County Legal Counsel: Legal Intern (2016)

Representative Presentations

  • BOLI Annual Employment Conference 2024, Presenter (11/8/24)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Fresh Powder from the Supreme Court: Carving Updated DEI Policies Following Landmark Decision in SFFA v. Harvard,” Presenter (9/26/24)

  • Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) Legal Update: “Remote Workforce Management: Policy Essentials & Multi-State Considerations for Employers,” Presenter (7/31/24)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Paper Trail to Success: Navigating Employee Discipline, Discharge & Documentation,” Presenter (4/9/24)

  • Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Oregon Chapter: “Legal Updates & Best Practices for Employers in 2024,” Presenter (2/7/24)

  • CUPA-HR Fall Conference: “Ensuring Fair Practices: Navigating Employee Discipline, Discharge & Documentation,” Presenter (10/27/23)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Multi-State Monorail: Wage & Hour Considerations for a Divided Workforce,” Presenter (9/28/23)

  • American Payroll Association Heart of Oregon Chapter: “Legislative Update,” Presenter (8/10/23)

  • Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) Legal Update: “A New Wave of Wage & Hour Litigation: Key Compensation Considerations,” Presenter (6/8/23)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Telework Toolkit: Policy Essentials & Multi-State Considerations for Employers,” Presenter (4/4/23)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Washington State Employment Law Update,” Presenter (10/18/22)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Preventing Remote Work Drag: Compliance Considerations & Remote Work from Other States,” Presenter (9/29/22)

  • American Payroll Association Heart of Oregon Chapter: “An Update on What Payroll Professionals Need to Know About the 2022 Oregon Legislation & Remote Work from Other States,” Presenter (6/9/22)

  • Rogue Valley SHRM May Legal Seminar: “Remote Worker Policy Essentials,” Presenter (5/18/22)

Representative Publications