Career
Clay has provided labor and employment law counsel and litigation services to employers for over 30 years. He has extensive experience litigating employment-related claims in federal and state courts, particularly representing employers in Americans with Disabilities Act litigation. On behalf of his clients, he has obtained a high percentage of defense verdicts, most recently in an ADA trial in which he represented an international insurance company.
Clay has litigated cases involving all aspects of employment law including discrimination, harassment, wage and overtime claims, severance agreements, non-compete agreements, the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), COBRA, FMLA/OFLA, defamation, and wrongful discharge. Clay also provides counsel to employers, assisting in matters such as downsizings, reasonable accommodations, leave issues, and general day-to-day employment law questions which arise for employers.
Prior to joining Tonkon, Clay clerked for United States District Judge Russell E. Smith in the District of Montana. Clay worked for almost 20 years at Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC, where he was a shareholder and served for a total of almost 12 years as Chair of its Employment Group.
Professional Memberships
Portland Human Resources Management Association
Member, Board of Directors
DRI, Employment Law Section
Multnomah Bar Association
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Oregon State Bar
State Bar of Montana
State Bar of Michigan
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, District of Montana
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Awards
2009-2025, Employment Law – Management
The Best Lawyers in America
2009-2025, Litigation – Labor & Employment
The Best Lawyers in America
2006-2024, Oregon Super Lawyer – Employment Litigation: Defense
Super Lawyers