Abby Fitts advises and represents employers in a wide range of employment law issues and litigations. As a resident of Independence, Oregon, Abby is passionate about helping in her own community and serving employers in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Prior to attending law school, Abby served in the United States Navy for 10 years. She also ran a bakery on her family’s farm in Independence. While in law school, Abby had the opportunity to advise and work with small business owners. After concluding her time at Willamette University College of Law, Abby worked at a business law firm in Oregon as an employment and litigation attorney. She then started her own practice serving employers in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Throughout her career, Abby has been very active in her local community and beyond. She serves as a board member for several organizations, including Oregon AgFest, the Oregon State Bar Agriculture Law Section, the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, the West Point Parents Club of Oregon and Southwest Washington and the Friends of Seoul Foreign School. Abby is a frequent speaker on employment law matters and enjoys giving individualized training to employers. Outside of her legal practice, Abby loves spending time with her family, pretending to work in her garden and hanging out with her 2 donkeys, Eeyore and Dexter.  

Representative Matters

Successfully represented agriculture employer in workers compensation defense.

Successfully defended agriculture employer against Oregon OSHA complaint regarding workplace safety.

Successfully defended agriculture employer against Oregon OSHA complaint regarding heat illness prevention protocols.

Successfully defended multiple agriculture employers against Oregon Employment Department investigations into classifications of independent contractors.

Successfully represented employer in board dispute involving several thousand members.

Advises employers on best practices and compliance with Oregon and federal wage and hour laws, including salaried exempt, non-exempt, minimum wage and overtime compliance.

Advises employers on compliance with a variety of leave laws, including Oregon Sick Time, Paid Leave Oregon, Oregon Family Leave Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and other state and federal leave benefits.

Advises employers on compliance and best practices for handling immigration enforcement in the workplace.

Advises employers on compliance with state and federal disability accommodation laws.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• Willamette University College of Law: Attorney Mentor (2017-2020)

• Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) (2018-present)

• Advocate and Representative for clients of S.A.B.L.E. House, 2018-2024

• Court Appointed Special Advocate for Polk County, Oregon, 2018-2024

Honors

• MAPS Credit Union Community Award 2023

• Oregon State Bar Pro Bono Award 2021

Civic Activities

• Oregon Ag Fest: Board Member, Vice President (2017-2025)

• Oregon State Bar Agriculture Law Section, Chair-Elect (2023-present)

• Oregon State Bar Labor & Employment Law Section, member (2017-present)

• Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, Secretary (2022-present)

• West Point Parents Club of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Secretary (2023-present)

• Friends of Seoul Foreign School, Secretary (2022-present)

• Strategic Economic Development Corporation, member (2020-present)

• The Gate Youth Association, Vice President (2021-2024)

• Polk County Clay Target League, Secretary (2020-2024)

• Oregon AgLink, member (2018-2021)

Representative Presentations

• Oregon Farm Bureau: “How to Prepare for I-9 Audits and Immigration Enforcement Action,” , Presenter (2/19/25)

• Portland Chapter SHRM: “Preparing for Immigration Enforcement Action in the Workplace,” Presenter (2/26/25)

• Barran Liebman Webinar: “How Employers Can Prepare for ICE Audits & Inspection,” Presenter (2/6/25)

• Presentation to Oregon Society of CPAs: “Employment Laws for CPA Advisors,” (5/30/24)

• Presentation to SAIF attorneys: “Employment Law Tapas – A Little Bit of Everything for Employers,” (2/10/23)

• Presentation to SAIF attorneys: “Employment Law Presentation for SAIF attorneys,” (10/31/22)

• Presentation to Chemeketa Agribusiness Management Class: “Employer Do’s and Don’ts” (1/11/22)

• “Employing in the Age of Covid-19,” Willamette University WU Stream, May 2020

• Presentation to Chemeketa Agribusiness Management Class: “Everything Payroll,” (1/15/19)

• Quarterly presentations to Willamette University College of Law students: “Employment Law for Businesses,” (2018-2021)

Representative Publications

• “E-Verify System Error Results in False “Final Nonconfirmation” Notices,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, May 19, 2025

• “New Oregon Minimum Wage Rates Announced,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, April 15, 2025

• “Guidance for Employers Navigating Recent Executive Orders on Immigration,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, February 3, 2025

• “Does My Company Really Need an Employee Handbook?” Daily Journal of Commerce, January 23, 2025

• “Confidence, Training, and Barriers for Canadian Law Enforcement in Cases of Luring, Sexual Abuse, and Child Sexual Abuse Imagery” Int. Journal on Child Malt. 7, 553–567 (2024)

• “A Nationwide Injunction,” September 13, 2024

• “Personnel Record Requests,” Nov 2, 2023

• Paid Leave Oregon Starts on Sunday,” August 30, 2023

• “Oregon’s Heat Related Illness Rule Goes Into Effect Today,” June 15, 2022

• “Beware the Salaried Employee,” March 19, 2021

• “Employment FAQs in the Era of COVID-19,” March 25, 2020

• “January 1, 2020 is right around the corner – are you ready?” November 26, 2019

• “Independent Contractor or…?” February 1, 2019