Helen M.McFarland

Partner

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Helen has more than 20 years of experience partnering with clients to navigate complex employment laws and design strategies that align with their business goals and culture.


More About Helen

Employers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape of federal, state, and local employment laws, and the intricate interplay between them. Helen works closely with clients to understand their short- and long-term goals and helps devise litigation and counseling strategies that help achieve those goals. 

Helen has a proven track record of successfully representing employers from across industries in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations nationwide. She has defended employers in single- and multiplaintiff cases involving allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, unfair competition, independent contractor misclassification, wage and hour claims, and violations of Washington state’s Equal Pay & Opportunities Act. Additionally, Helen has significant experience handling administrative charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Beyond her litigation practice, Helen dedicates a significant portion of her practice to advice and compliance counseling, leveraging her extensive litigation experience to draft and review employment policies and handbooks with a focus on risk mitigation. Helen provides guidance on issues such as hiring and terminations, preventing harassment and discrimination claims, responding to leave and accommodation requests, conducting wage and hour audits, and drafting comprehensive employee handbooks, agreements, and other employment policies.

Helen is also a trusted advisor in training supervisors and other HR professionals on best practices. She conducts thorough workplace investigations on behalf of employers into allegations of company policy violations, ensuring a fair and compliant resolution process.

  • JD, Lewis & Clark Law School
  • BA, Vassar College
  • California
  • Oregon
  • Washington
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Eastern District of California
  • US District Court, Northern District of California
  • US District Court, District of Oregon
  • US District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • US District Court, Western District of Washington

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