Chris M. Morgan

Partner

P: 503-276-2144
F: 503-274-1212

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

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Assistant:
Lauren Heesacker
(503) 276-2199
lheesacker@barran.com

Practice Areas

Admitted to Practice

  • Oregon

  • Washington

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Academics

  • Gonzaga University School of Law (J.D., cum laude): Gonzaga Journal of International Law, Associate Editor; Dean’s Distinguished Achievement Scholarship Recipient; Meritorious Distinction Scholarship Recipient; Class Commencement Speaker

  • Washington State University (B.A., cum laude)

Chris Morgan is a partner at Barran Liebman LLP, where he specializes in complex employment advice, strategy, and litigation. He has successfully handled hundreds of cases for employers of all sizes and industries in state and federal courts, as well as in front of regulatory agencies such as BOLI and the EEOC. Chris is known for his aggressive defense of a wide range of employment-related claims—including those alleging wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour violations. Chris also handles both large and small commercial disputes, including breach of contract actions and tort claims alleging business interference and breach of fiduciary duties.

In addition to his litigation work, Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and advisor in proactive training and policy development. He is passionate about helping businesses succeed, and provides interactive trainings on employment law, legal compliance, and risk management. In line with this focus, Chris recently collaborated with Oregon’s State Accident Insurance Fund to develop a comprehensive series of HR training modules for their policyholders.

Chris graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University and received his J.D., cum laude, from the Gonzaga University School of Law, where he was the class commencement speaker and received the Dean’s Distinguished Achievement scholarship.

Representative Matters

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained full defense verdict in case tried in County Circuit Court alleging breach of contract.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Law Firm: Obtained full defense verdict in case tried in County Circuit Court alleging unpaid wages.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Trade Organization: Obtained full dismissal of all claims alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful termination. Dismissal was affirmed in full by the Oregon Court of Appeals.

  • Lead Counsel for Publicly Traded Company: Obtained summary judgment and full dismissal of all claims alleging federal and state disability discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained full dismissal of all claims alleging federal and state disability and religious discrimination following motion for summary judgment.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Healthcare Organization: Obtained a full dismissal with prejudice of claims alleging whistleblower retaliation and discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Multi-National Energy Company: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging retaliation and race discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Car Service Organization: Obtained a full dismissal with prejudice of claims alleging federal and state age discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for International Construction Company: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging whistleblower retaliation.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Childcare Facility: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging whistleblower retaliation.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Care Facility: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging workers’ compensation discrimination and retaliation.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Non-Profit Corporation: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging discrimination and whistleblower retaliation.

  • Lead Counsel for Large Public Health Organization: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging discrimination, retaliation, and constructive discharge.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Non-Profit Corporation: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging whistleblower retaliation.

  • Lead Counsel for Private Company: Represented company against claims alleging retaliation, failure to accommodate, wrongful discharge, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Obtained dismissal with prejudice on all claims.

  • Lead Counsel for Private Corporation: Represented large, multi-national corporation against claims alleging retaliation, age discrimination, and breach of contract.

  • Lead Counsel for Private Corporation: Represented large, multi-national corporation against claims alleging retaliation and national origin discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Public University: Represented University against federal claims alleging retaliation and national origin discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Public County: Represented large Public County against claims alleging harassment, hostile work environment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

  • Lead Counsel for Non-Profit Corporation: Represented large Non-Profit against claims alleging retaliation and hostile work environment.

  • Lead Counsel for Non-Profit Corporation: Represented large Non-Profit against claims alleging disability discrimination.

  • Lead Counsel for Private Company: Represented agricultural organization against state and federal claims alleging breach of contract, unlawful deductions, and overtime violations.

  • Lead Counsel for Regional Training and Education Institution: Represented company against claims alleging wrongful discharge, discrimination, and retaliation. Obtained dismissal with prejudice on all claims.

  • Lead Counsel for Large Regional Construction Corporation: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging retaliation and national original discrimination.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • Oregon’s State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF): Content Creator for Policyholder E-Learning Center HR Modules (2020-2021)

  • American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division: Labor & Employment Committee: Co-Chair (2018-2019); Law Student Outreach Team: Vice-Coordinator (2018-2019); Emerging Leaders Program (2017-2018)

Honors

  • Chambers & Partners USA: “Up & Coming Attorney” (2024-present)

  • The Best Lawyers in America: Listed as a Ones to Watch Labor & Employment Law Management, Labor & Employment Litigation Attorney (2023-present)

  • Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine: Rising Star (2020-present)

  • Graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy: Deposition Skills (2018)

Civic Activities

  • The First Tee of Greater Portland: Ambassador Board, Member (2018-present)

Representative Presentations

  • PHRMA "The Modern Workplace Symposium: Navigating Drug Testing & Reasonable Suspicion in the Workplace," Presenter (11/13/24)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Rescue Operation: Best Practices for Rehabilitating Poor Employee Performance,” Presenter (9/26/24)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Employee Expression in the Workplace: Politics, Freedom of Speech & Best Practices for Conflict Management,” Presenter (6/25/24)

  • Yamhill County HR Association: “Managing Mental Health in the Workplace: Navigating ADA, FMLA & Other Accommodation Law,” Presenter (6/13/24)

  • Association of Corporate Counsel Oregon Chapter CLE: “Best Practices for Managing Risky Terminations & Limiting Legal Exposure,” Presenter (5/29/24)

  • Rogue Valley SHRM Legal Seminar: “Write This Down: How to Avoid Documentation Issues & Set Yourself Up for Success”; “Cover Your Class: Ways to Ensure Classification Issues Don’t Come Back to Bite You,” Presenter (5/15/24)

  • Lane County Human Resources Association: “Best Practices for Managing Risky Terminations & Limiting Legal Exposure,” Presenter (4/16/24)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Navigating Hot Topics in Wage & Hour Law: Tip Pooling, Joint-Employer Status & Overtime,” Co-Presenter (3/20/24)

  • Mid-Valley SHRM: “Managing Mental Health in the Workplace,” Presenter (3/13/24)

  • Barran Liebman Internal CLE: “Effective Use of Requests for Admission,” Co-Presenter (2/22/24)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Personnel Records: Best Practices for Responding to File Requests & Avoiding Penalties,” Presenter (1/30/24)

  • Oregon SHRM Conference: “Managing Mental Health in the Workplace,” Presenter (11/3/23)

  • Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference: “Human Resources Legal Update; Paid Leave Oregon,” Presenter (10/18/23)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Don’t Fall Down the Wage Demand Waterslide: How a Prompt Response Can Prevent Litigation,” Presenter (9/28/23)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “H-2A & H-2B Programs,” Presenter (9/21/23)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Mental Health in the Workplace,” Presenter (6/15/23)

  • Rogue Valley SHRM Legal Seminar: “Best Practices for Wage & Hour Compliance”; “Mitigating Legal Risk Through Thoughtful Employee Separations,” Presenter (5/17/23)

  • Oregon Governors Occupational Safety & Health Conference: “Employment Law Update,” Presenter (3/7/23)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: Mental Health in the Workplace: Reviewing & Responding to Employee Disclosures,” Presenter (1/24/23)

  • Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section CLE: “Basics of Wage & Hour Law,” Presenter (10/13/22)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Safety Barriers: Absorbing the Impact of Employment Separation through Severance & Separation Agreements,” Presenter (9/29/22)

  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention Lightening Round: “Techniques for Successfully Challenging the Pleadings Via Pre-Answer Motions to Dismiss,” Presenter (6/17/22)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Effective Wage & Hour Practices to Safeguard Your Workplace,” Presenter (6/7/22)

  • Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) Legal Update: “Best Practices for Managing Risky Terminations & Limiting Legal Exposure,” Presenter (5/25/22)

  • SAIF 2022 Workers’ Compensation Seminar: Employment Practices in 2022: Things to Know & Consider,” Presenter (5/5/22)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Know When to Lay Up: Tips for Managing Employee Discipline & Risky Terminations,” Presenter (9/30/21)

  • Associated General Contractors (AGC) Summer Convention: “Safety Complaints & Retaliation in Oregon: Employers Now Presumed Guilty,” Presenter (8/6/21)

  • SAIF 2021 Workers’ Compensation Seminar: “Employment Law: New Laws & Best Practices for 2021,” Presenter (5/12/21)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Key Policy Considerations For Employers Going In To 2021,” Presenter (12/8/20)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Sexual Harassment: Shifting Tides in Sexual Harassment Training & Prevention,” Presenter (9/30/20)

  • Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce: “Employment Law Hot Topics, Best Practices, & Considerations During COVID-19,” Presenter (8/18/20)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Harassment & Workplace Investigations: Must-Knows & Best Practices for Supervisors,” Presenter (6/22/20)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Form I-9s, Telecommuting Policies, & Workplace Accommodations During COVID-19,” Presenter (6/11/20)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Phase 2 Reopening: Virus-Related Accommodations, & Compliance Considerations,” Presenter (6/11/20)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Re-Opening Your Business: 5 Key Considerations for Employers,” Presenter (5/7/20)

  • Oregon Association of Realtors Webinar: “Drafting an Effective Independent Contractor Agreement,” Presenter (2/13/20)

  • Oregon Association of Realtors Webinar: “Independent Contractors: Best Practices for Compliance With Federal & State Law,” Presenter (10/23/19)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “Walking the Tightrope: Sexual Harassment & Settlement

  • Agreements Under Oregon’s Workplace Fairness Act,” Presenter (10/10/19)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “HIPAA Training,” Presenter (8/21/19)

  • Associated General Contractors (AGC) Summer Convention: “Hot Topics and Best Practices for the Shifting Landscape of Employment Law,” Co-Presenter (8/9/19)

  • Oregon Fuels Association Annual Conference: “2019 Labor & Employment Law Update,” Presenter (7/15/19)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Supervisor/Manager Training,” Presenter (6/4/19)

  • Barran Liebman Breakfast Seminar: “6 in 60: Advanced HR Strategies & Best Practices for 2019,” Presenter (5/14/19)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Advanced Supervisor Training,” Presenter (5/8/19)

  • Mid-Willamette SHRM Seminar: “Harassment in the Workplace”; “Conducting an Internal Workplace Investigation,” Presenter (4/19/19)

  • SAIF 2019 Workers’ Compensation Seminar: “Employment Law Basics,” Presenter (4/3/19)

  • Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health Conference: “Employment Law Best Practices,” Presenter (3/6/19)

  • Associated Oregon Loggers Annual Convention: “Employment Law Best Practices,” Presenter (1/19/19)

  • American Payroll Association Portland Metro Chapter: “A Discussion on Pay Equity,” Presenter (11/28/18)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Workers’ Compensation & ADA Accommodation Law,” Presenter (11/2/18)

  • Oregon Golf Course Owners Association Conference: “Golf Course Management: Employment Law & Liability,” Presenter (10/28/18)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training: “Safety Training & Employment Law Basics,” Presenter (10/24/18)

  • American Payroll Association Fall Conference: “Payroll Paradise: Deductions, Garnishments, & Oregon’s New Pay Equity Law,” Presenter (10/5/18)

  • Barran Liebman Annual Seminar: “CANOE Survive an ICE Audit? Best Practices for I-9 Compliance & Immigration and Customs Enforcement Interactions,” Presenter (9/27/18)

  • Oregon Workers’ Compensation Annual Educational Conference: “Navigating Marijuana in the Workplace,” Presenter (9/26/18)

  • Barran Liebman Interactive Pay Equity Roundtable: “Oregon’s Equity Laws,” Co-Presenter (7/23/18; 7/24/18; 8/14/18)

  • Mid-Willamette Human Resource Association: “Labor & Employment Law Update,” Presenter (7/10/18)

  • Rogue Valley SHRM Annual Legal Seminar: “Labor & Employment Law Update,” Presenter (5/16/18)

  • Mid-Willamette Valley SHRM Meeting: “Effective Discipline & Discharge,” Presenter (4/24/18)

  • National Electrical Contractors Association: “Employee Handbooks, Workplace Investigations & Documenting Discipline,” Presenter (4/19/18)

  • National Business Institute Human Resource Law Boot Camp: “Employee Handbooks & Policies in the 21st Century”; “Social Media Policies: Balancing Employer Needs & Employee Rights,” (3/12/18)

  • TPD Webinar: “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: What Your Business Needs to Know,” (2/21/18)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training, “HR Essentials: Legislative Updates and Best Practices,” (2/15/18)

  • Barran Liebman Client Training, “Sexual Harassment Culture Shift: Your Business, Your People, Your Work Environment,” (2/14/18)

  • Northwest EEO: “Employment Law Update,” Presenter (1/16/18)

  • National Business Institute Seminar on Human Resource Law From Start to Finish: “Employment Law Update,” Presenter (10/11/17)

Representative Publications