Lex Shvartsmann is a member of the firm’s labor and litigation practices. Lex approaches workplace compliance matters and labor relations with a collaborative mindset and a focus on proactivity. Having grown up in a family of small business owners and spent her early career in the nonprofit sector, she is especially passionate about working with and advocating on behalf of small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Prior to joining Barran Liebman, Lex served as a Legal Intern for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Justice Integrity Unit and as a Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Intern for the Oregon Justice Resource Center. Through these roles, Lex gained experience drafting different types of court documents, interpreting statutes, and researching legislative history. During law school, Lex served as Research Assistant to Interim Dean John Parry, during which time she contributed to the latest edition of Summary Judgment: Federal Law & Practice. Lex was also a member of Lewis & Clark’s Deposition Competition Team, which earned a top four spot as semi-finalists in the 2024 competition.

Prior to pursuing a legal career, Lex worked at the Idaho Nonprofit Center where she was responsible for monitoring state-level policy on behalf of over 800 nonprofit members. She also oversaw the Center’s “Legislative Watch” newsletters, authoring and publishing updates to keep nonprofit employers apprised of expected changes in the law. In her free time, Lex values and prioritizes community engagement. During her studies, she served as President of her undergraduate university’s Jewish Student Union and as President of the Women’s Law Caucus at Lewis & Clark Law School. Currently, Lex is an avid volunteer with the Alliance for a Safe Oregon. Outside of her legal practice, you can find Lex reading fiction novels and exploring Oregon’s bountiful nature with her dog, Autumn.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Justice Integrity Unit: Legal Intern (2023-2024)

• Oregon Justice Resource Center: Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Intern (2023)

• Idaho Nonprofit Center: Policy & Advocacy Assistant (2021-2022); Communications & Advocacy Intern (2020)

Civic Activities

• Alliance for a Safe Oregon: Volunteer (Present)

Representative Publications

• “How employers can reduce risk when terminating employees,” New England Biz Law Update, April 30, 2025

• “Project Labor Agreements in Oregon,” Cascade Business News, April 29, 2025

• “How Employers Can Reduce Risk When Terminating Employees,” Daily Journal of Commerce, April 24, 2025

• “Temporary Injunction Issued Against Oregon Project Labor Agreement Requirement,” Oregon Business Report, April 14, 2025

• “Temporary Injunction Issued Against Oregon Project Labor Agreement Requirement,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, April 9, 2025

• “NLRB Without Quorum…Again & New General Counsel Nominee,” Oregon Business Report, April 7, 2025

• “NLRB Without Quorum…Again & New General Counsel Nominee,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, April 1, 2025

• “A Refresher on Handling Form I-9 and Possible Inspections,” Daily Journal of Commerce, March 27, 2025

• “What Oregon Employers Should Know About Workplace Surveillance,” Cascade Business News, March 25, 2025

• “Rescinded Executive Orders Impact Federal Contractors,” Oregon Business Report, March 24, 2025

• “Rescinded Executive Orders Impact Federal Contractors,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, March 21, 2025

• “Federal Court Reinstates NLRB Member Wilcox,” Oregon Business Report, March 17, 2025

• “Federal Court Reinstates NLRB Member Wilcox,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, March 13, 2025

• “OSHA Fines Increased in 2025,” Cascade Business News, January 27, 2025

• “Limitations on questions that employers can ask job applicants | Opinion,” Daily Journal of Commerce, February 27, 2025

• “Countless Changes at the NLRB - Acting General Counsel Rescinds Over 30 Memoranda,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, February 19, 2025

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

• “Make Equal Pay Act Compliance Your New Year’s Resolution,” Cascade Business News, January 21, 2025

• “Agricultural Overtime Threshold Decreasing in the New Year”, Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, January 8, 2025

• “Wage Garnishments Have Changed,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, January 7, 2025

• “Oregon Executive Order 24-31 Establishes Project Labor Agreement Requirement,” Oregon Business Report, January 6, 2025

• “Oregon Executive Order 24-31 Establishes Project Labor Agreement Requirement for State Construction Projects,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, January 3, 2025

• “The New Year Brings New Changes to Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, December 20, 2024

• “New Protections for Warehouse Distribution Centers Effective January 1, 2025,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, December 19, 2024

• “NLRB Overrules Standard Regarding Lawful Predictions of the Effects of Unionization,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, December 3, 2024

• “National Labor Relations Board Rules Captive-Audience Meetings Unlawful,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, November 21, 2022

• “ ’Tis the Season: Need-to-Know Info About Holiday Compensation,” Daily Journal of Commerce, October 24, 2024

• “Reminders for Implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” Oregon Business Report, October 28, 2024

• “Reminders for Implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, October 23, 2024

• “Handling Employee Reports of Online (Off-Duty) Harassment,” Cascade Business News, October 15, 2024

• “NLRB Decision Ends Longstanding Precedent of Approving Employer Proposed Consent Orders,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, October 8, 2024

• “An Americans with Disabilities Act Refresher for Employers,” Daily Journal of Commerce, August 22, 2024

• “Employers: Stop Signing Personnel Document Certifications Under Penalty of Perjury,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 9, 2024

• “$35.8M Judgment Reminds Employers to Ensure Compliance with FLSA Compensation Requirements,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, August 8, 2024

• “AI & The Workplace: Ensuring Compliance with Federal Laws,” Daily Journal of Commerce, June 27, 2024; Republished in The Daily Reporter, July 3, 2024; Republished in New England Biz Law Update, July 9, 2024

• “SCOTUS Clarifies Requirements for Obtaining Injunctive Relief Under the NLRA,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, June 18, 2024

• “Think Before You Click: What Employers Need to Know about Social Media in the Workplace,” Cascade Business News, June 5, 2024

• “Boeing Agrees to Pay Millions in Unpaid Travel Time: A Reminder for Employers to Review Their Own Policies,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, June 7, 2024

• “BOLI Proposes Rules to Clarify Employer Obligations When Responding to Harassment Allegations,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, June 6, 2024

• “Changes on the Horizon for Employers with Pregnant Workers,” Daily Journal of Commerce, May 23, 2024; Republished in New England Biz Law Update, June 4, 2024

• “Sunny Days Ahead: Reminders for Employers About Oregon & Washington Heat Exposure & Illness Prevention Rules,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, May 16, 2024

Academics

• Lewis & Clark College of Law (J.D. Candidate, Expected Graduation in 2025): Research Assistant to Interim Dean John Parry; Women’s Law Caucus, Secretary (2023-2024), President (2024-2025); Oregon State Bar Oregon New Lawyers Division, Student Liaison; Boley Library Circulation Desk, Assistant; 2024-2025 Deposition Competition Team, Team Captain, Semi-Finalist; Dean’s Scholarship for Excellence Recipient; Student Liaison to Oregon Women Lawyers Member Advancement Committee (2024-Present)

• Boise State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2021, Interdisciplinary Studies with Minors in Philosophy, Social and Cultural Advocacy, and Nonprofit Management): Jewish Student Union, Founding President; Dean’s High Honors (2018-2021)