Leah Lively is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Portland office and a member of the Labor & Employment practice, and chairs Portland’s Litigation Department. Leah has represented over 150 employers in state and federal courts across multiple states, defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations, including multiple class action lawsuit. Leah tailors her defense to meet each client’s objectives—whether that is a quick and efficient class action settlement, conducting targeted discovery to assess risk before motion practice or settlement, or taking a case to trial. With a rare combination of experience and skill, Leah consistently delivers results for her clients.
Leah regularly represents employers in Oregon, Washington, and California. A highly experienced employer-side litigator, Leah’s favorite part of litigation is deposing the plaintiff. Leah is known for her quick thinking and attention to detail, positioning the her clients for the strongest possible outcomes. Leah’s effectiveness comes from her decades of experience as a subject matter expert and litigator. She has successfully obtained summary judgment and defense verdicts for employers at trial, and is among the few attorneys nationwide to successfully defended a wage and hour collective action through jury trial.
Leah provides strategic guidance and court-tested solutions for disputes involving non-competition agreements, trade secrets, and/or breach of contract claims. She has defeated claims for injunctive relief and obtained summary judgment in these cases.
