For Companies and HR Leaders with Businesses or Employees in Oregon
Employers
Counsel and defense for employers in Oregon facing age discrimination claims.
For Workers and Executives
Employees
Representation for Oregon workers in age discrimination matters.
Who We Are
Buchanan Angeli Sullivan & Ferrer LLP is a Portland-based employment law firm that advises and represents both employers and employees on employment law matters, including age discrimination claims. We represent clients in Oregon, in state and federal court, and before state and federal agencies such as the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Our experience representing both employers and employees gives us a unique perspective and understanding of the laws, evidentiary issues, and procedural realities involved in age discrimination disputes. We use that perspective to provide informed, practical, and strategic counsel tailored to each client’s circumstances.
Whether we're representing an employer responding to an age discrimination allegation or an individual who believes they have been treated unfairly because of their age, we encourage seeking legal advice early. In many cases, early guidance can help address concerns before they escalate into formal claims or litigation.
Meet Our Portland Team Handling Age Discrimination Cases
What Is Age
Discrimination?
Age discrimination is treating someone differently because of their age rather than their abilities, qualifications, or performance.
Examples include:
- Refusing to hire someone because they are considered "too old" or "too young."
- Passing over an employee for promotion because of assumptions about their age.
- Harassing someone with repeated age-related insults or jokes.
- Making employment decisions based on stereotypes, such as believing that older workers cannot learn new technology.
At Buchanan Angeli Sullivan & Ferrer LLP, our age discrimination practice focuses on representing employers and employees in matters involving alleged age-based discrimination in the workplace. Our experienced team provides valuable insight into the legal and practical issues that frequently arise in these cases. We assist employers with investigations, policy compliance, personnel decisions, and defense of age discrimination claims. We also advise employees who believe they have been treated unfairly because of their age and help them evaluate their legal options.
How Buchanan Angeli Sullivan & Ferrer LLP Helps Employees With Age Discrimination Claims
Employees may contact our team when they believe age played a role in an adverse employment decision or workplace treatment. Common age discrimination matters include:
- Failure to hire
- Denial of promotions
- Layoffs or reductions in force
- Termination based on age
- Forced retirement or pressure to resign
- Unequal compensation of benefits
- Exclusion from training or development opportunities
- Age-based harassment
- Negative performance reviews tied to age stereotypes
- Demotion or reassignment
- Retaliation
- Disparate impact claims
We also provide counsel for these other types of discrimination under Oregon and federal law.
Race & National Origin
We provide counsel for claims involving discrimination or harassment based on race, skin color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Sex or Gender, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
Our team works to advocate for rights in matters involving discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, protected under Oregon’s Equality Act.
Religious Discrimination
If there are issues involving failure to accommodate religious practices or discrimination based on an employee’s faith or sincerely held religious beliefs, our experienced team can help.
Disability
We provide representation in matters involving failure to provide reasonable accommodations or adverse actions tied to physical or mental disabilities.
Pregnancy
Are you involved in a dispute involving pregnancy-related discrimination or retaliation for taking leave under FMLA, OFLA, or Paid Leave Oregon? Our team can help.
Leave Issues
We help employees understand their leave rights, whether they need time away for a medical condition, family responsibilities, bereavement, or have been wrongfully denied leave.
Our Approach for Employees
We represent employees in age discrimination matters from initial assessment through resolution.
Intake & Consultation
We meet to evaluate the circumstances of our client’s age discrimination or other workplace concern and evaluate whether the client has experienced unlawful conduct.
Legal Assessment
We evaluate potential claims, the strength of the evidence, and remedies under Oregon and federal law.
Strategy and Recommendation
We discuss the available paths, including direct negotiation with the employer, an administrative filing with BOLI or the EEOC, or litigation.
Representation
We tirelessly advocate on our client’s behalf to obtain a result that advances our client’s interests.
We Also Offer Age Discrimination Defense for
Employers
With decades of employment litigation experience, Buchanan Angeli Sullivan & Ferrer LLP provides practical and strategic advice to help employers minimize the likelihood of age discrimination claims and strengthen their position in the event of a legal challenge.
Age Discrimination Claims We Help Employers Navigate
Age discrimination can take many forms and may arise in a variety of employment contexts. While every situation is unique, when people contact us regarding age discrimination, they are often concerned about one or more of the following:
Age-Based Hiring Decisions
Applicants may believe they were denied employment because of their age, particularly when a position is filled by a substantially younger candidate despite comparable or superior qualifications.
Denial of Promotions or Advancement Opportunities
Employees may allege that an employer favored younger employees for promotions, leadership positions, or advancement opportunities despite comparable qualifications or experience.
Discriminatory Layoffs or Reductions in Force
Older employees may believe they were disproportionately selected for layoffs, restructuring efforts, or workforce reductions because of their age.
Age-Based Termination
Employees may claim they were discharged from work because of their age, including situations where they were replaced by substantially younger workers or where age is alleged to have influenced the termination decision.
Retaliaion
These claims are based on allegations that an employer took adverse action against an employee for reporting age discrimination, participating in an investigation, filing a complaint, or otherwise exercising protected rights under employment discrimination laws.
Our Approach for Employers
We work closely with our employer clients, many of whom we have represented for decades, to help avoid claims through strategic and practical advice. Here’s an example of what the typical process entails.
Case Evaluation
documentation, and evaluate potential legal exposure under applicable age discrimination laws.
Risk Analysis
We identify both legal risks and related risks to the organization, the age discrimination claims at issue, and align our recommendations with the goals of the organization.
Documentation and Positioning
We review personnel files, performance evaluations, internal communications, and other relevant records to assess whether the employer’s actions are supported by legitimate, nondiscriminatory business reasons.
Resolution Strategy
We advise through negotiation, BOLI or EEOC proceedings, or litigation, depending on what the age discrimination matter requires.
Schedule an Intake with Buchanan Angeli Sullivan & Ferrer LLP
Whether you are an Oregon employer needing assistance with employment policies or other personnel matters, or an employee dealing with age discrimination, an early conversation can clarify the path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Age Discrimination in Oregon
Below are common questions about age discrimination claims in Oregon that are addressed for both employers and employees.