Avery Tunstill is a law clerk at Barran Liebman who recently completed her J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law. As a law clerk, Avery supports attorneys with legal research, drafting, litigation preparation, developing employment policies, and crafting materials for client trainings.

During law school, Avery served as the Associate Editor-In-Chief of the Washington Law Review, where she works with legal scholars, judges, and practitioners to develop academic articles for publication. She worked as a research assistant for Dean Elizabeth Pendo, where she worked with UW Medicine’s Garvey Institute for Brain Health Solution on a multi-disciplinary project looking at potential changes to Washington’s mental health crisis system.

Prior to joining Barran Liebman, Avery served as an extern for Justice Gordon McCloud at the Washington State Supreme Court, where she conducted research and drafted memos related to cases before the court. Avery brings local experience from her prior career as a paralegal at a Portland firm.

Avery was born and raised in Portland and in her free time, she enjoys the Portland food and wine scene, ceramics, New York Times games, and cheering for our Portland teams.

Representative Matters

• Developed strategic advice regarding Washington non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.

• Created presentation for HR professionals regarding AI use in the workplace.

• Developed guidance regarding overtime exemptions for a professional services company.

• Prepared settlement agreement for a multi-party trade secrets case.

• Crafted guidance regarding procedures of state administrative agencies.

• Authored internal memo regarding defense of a code citation for an industry employer.

• Drafted motion to dismiss a lawsuit against a nonprofit employer.

• Prepared seminar regarding pay equity compliance.

• Drafted discovery requests and responses for various matters.

• Prepared internal training for a national company regarding drug-testing policy.

• Formulated strategic recommendations regarding FERPA disclosure requirements for an educational institution.

• Created educational materials regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion program compliance.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• University of Washington School of Law: Research Assistant to Dean Pendo (2025-2026)

• Washington State Supreme Court, Justice Gordon McCloud: Extern (Spring 2025)

• Seattle-based firm: Summer Law Clerk (Summer 2024)

• Portland firm: Paralegal (2020-2023)

• DePaul University Writing Center: Writing Tutor and Copy Editor (2019-2022)

• Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society

Representative Publications

• “Navigating Legal Risks of AI in Your Workplace,” Cascade Business News, September 25, 2025

• “Oregon Legislature Bans Non-Compete Agreements for Many Medical Providers,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, September 10, 2025

• “NLRB Issues GC Memo on Investigating Salting Cases,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 25, 2025

• “Oregon Legislature Expands Veterans’ Preference to National Guard Members,” Oregon Business Report, July 29, 2025

• “Oregon Legislature Expands Veterans’ Preference to National Guard Members,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, July 29, 2025

• “Summer Months Mean Many Teens Join the Workforce,” Cascade Business News, July 24, 2025

• “U.S. Supreme Court Weighs in on Burden of Proof for Non-Minority Plaintiffs,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, July 9, 2025

Honors

• Vincentian Spirit Award: Political Science Department of DePaul University (Spring 2022)

Civic Activities

• Volunteer, Foster Parent Night Out (2023-present)

• Asylum Application Drafter, Riverton Church Asylum Clinic (2024)