Bruce T. Garrett

Attorney

P: 503-276-2175
F: 503-274-1212

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

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Assistant:
Aaron Starr
(503) 276-2134
astarr@barran.com

Practice Areas

Admitted to Practice

  • Oregon

  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon

Academics

  • Willamette University College of Law (J.D. & Certificate in Law and Business, cum laude): Dean’s Honor List; Labor and Employment Law Association: Founder and President; Moot Court: Board Member; Willamette Law Review:  Note and Comment Editor; Student Ambassador and Open House Panelist; Legal Research and Writing Professor Hiring Committee: Interview Panelist; COVID-19 Reopening Task Force: Committee Member; Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section Scholarship for Top Securities Student in an Oregon Law School: Recipient

  • Washington State University (B.A.)

Bruce Garrett is a member of Barran Liebman’s employment advice and litigation practices. Bruce defends employers in a variety of employment matters, while serving as proactive counsel to ensure compliance and identify legal issues before they arise. His current practice is focused on defending employers against claims of retaliation, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract. He also counsels on compliance issues such as disability and religious accommodations, reinstatement and reemployment of employees on workers’ compensation leave, Oregon’s wildfire smoke and heat illness prevention rules, and the preparation of employment contracts and employee separation agreements.

Bruce has helped dozens of employers successfully separate with employees and avoid litigation, even under often times tumultuous circumstances. Bruce provides employers with counsel, tools, and resources to help them navigate legally high-risk situations while balancing their unique business needs. In his litigation practice, he has conducted and defended dozens of depositions, drafted and argued motions in state and federal court, and represented employers in mediations—resulting in many favorable outcomes for employers.

Bruce graduated from Willamette University College of Law, cum laude, with a certificate in law and business. While in law school, Bruce was active in a range of organizations and activities, including serving as the College’s Founder and President of the Labor and Employment Law Association. He also previously served as a legal extern for the Honorable Adrienne Nelson of the Oregon Supreme Court, as well as for the Appellate Division of Clark County District Attorney’s Office. Through these positions, Bruce gained a wide range of experience writing and submitting briefs, conducting legal research, and preparing arguments.

Bruce received his B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Bruce worked for the Social Security Administration for nearly a decade.

Representative Matters

  • Counseled news media organization in Federal District Court: Won First Amendment challenge against a plaintiff and defendant in a lawsuit seeking to gag the news media.

  • Counseled more than a dozen employers on obligations for reinstating and reemploying employees who are on workers’ compensation leave.

  • Counseled local maritime organization in Multnomah County Circuit Court: Argued and won a motion to compel arbitration.

  • Counseled west coast hotel chain: Defended against whistleblower retaliation claim and achieved favorable result in mediation.

  • Counseled non-profit organization’s board of directors on strategy for responding to executive director’s allegations of retaliation and discrimination.

  • Counseled international steel manufacturing and scrap metal company: Obtained dismissal of BOLI charge alleging pregnancy, family medical leave, and Oregon sick leave discrimination.

  • Obtained a dismissal for employer who received a complaint from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  

  • Drafted non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreement for employer operating in more than a dozen states.

  • Counseled employer on telework best practices and drafted telework agreement for employees who telework from out-of-state.

  • Drafted termination letter for healthcare employer who fired an employee for unauthorized disclosure of patient medical information.

  • Counseled employer on a religious accommodation for an employee who sought a religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

  • Developed Barran Liebman training content on tip-pooling procedures, wage and hour law, and the Oregon Workplace Fairness Act.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA): Employee Relations Special Interest Group: SIG Leader (2024-present) 

  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC): Member (2022-2023)

  • Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Membership Committee (2022-present); Member (2021-present)

  • American Bar Association: Member (2018-present); Labor and Employment Section: Member (2020-present)

  • Oregon State Bar Labor and Employment Section: Member (2018-present)

  • Oregon State Supreme Court: Legal Extern for the Honorable Adrienne Nelson

  • Clark County District Attorney’s Office - Appellate Division: Legal Extern

  • Social Security Administration - Seattle Regional Office: Disability Adjudicator (2014-2018)

  • Social Security Administration: Field Operations and Project Manager (2009-2014)

  • Center for Human Resources: Outreach Specialist (2008)

Civic Activities

  • Parkrose High School IMPRINT Program: Volunteer (2024-present)

  • Central Catholic High School Constitution Team: Volunteer & Guest Judge (2023-present)

  • Willamette University College of Law: Attorney-Student Mentor (2023-present)

  • Espen L. Pyrtek for Puyallup School Board: Campaign Advisor (2019)

  • LGBT Social Security Administration Advisory Council: Vice-Chair (2013-2015)

Representative Presentations

  • Portland Human Resources Management Association (PHRMA) Employee Relations SIG: “Supporting Injured or Disabled Employees in the Workplace: An Employer’s Role,” Presenter (2/28/24)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Overseeing Injured or Disabled Employees: Response, Requirements & Resources for Employers,” Presenter (8/22/23)

  • Barran Liebman Webinar: “Navigating the New Wildfire Smoke & Heat Illness Prevention Rules: How to Keep Your Employees Safe & Stay in Compliance,” Presenter (6/28/22)

  • West Linn Chamber of Commerce, Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, & Business Recovery Centers for Clackamas County: “COVID-19 Now, Next, & Beyond: Best Practices for Navigating COVID-19 in the Workplace,” Presenter (1/20/22)

Representative Publications