Matthew A. Tellam

Overview Matt Tellam defends clients in a wide variety of employment-related disputes in state and federal court, with a particular emphasis on Title VII and related state law discrimination claims. Matt also provides advice and counsel to clients, including advising and conducting due diligence in the transaction context, as well as considerable experience assisting employers with employee separations and larger reductions in force. He has considerable experience in traditional labor, particularly in the healthcare industry, and has represented employers in discharge and discipline arbitrations. Matt also defends and provides advice work to educational institutions regarding Title IX and student disability-related claims. Education University of Washington Law School, J. D., 2019 University of Oregon, B. S., Political Science/minor: Economics, 2012; Deans List Admissions Oregon United States District Court for the District of Oregon Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Experience Labor & Employment Advice & Counsel Advise employers at all stages of the employee separation process, including situations involving reductions in force and preparing legally-compliant separation agreements Advise employers during labor organizing activity and election petitions Conduct workplace investigations and advise on Title IX matters Advise employers on agency matters, litigation, labor grievances, and arbitrations Advise employers on compliance with Title VII and the ADA, including accommodations in the workplace Conduct labor and employment due diligence and advise clients in transactions Labor & Employment Litigation Defended healthcare employer in labor arbitration involving the grievance of employee discipline Obtained dismissal of civil lawsuit against healthcare employer based on federal preemption of labor law claims Obtained summary judgment for healthcare employer on Title VII and state law religious discrimination claims Obtained favorable settlement for educational institution regarding disability claims brought by former student Obtained summary judgment for manufacturing client on claims for wrongful interference with economic relationship Obtained multiple motions to dismiss for healthcare employer regarding Title VII and state law religious discrimination claims Secured Ninth Circuit decision affirming lower courts dismissal of 1983 claims against healthcare employer Obtained dismissal of civil class action regarding Oregon wage claims Successfully moved to compel arbitration of covered claims in civil action Client Successes Stoel Rives Advises The Willamette Valley Company on Its Sale to Arclin Stoel Rives advised The Willamette Valley Company LLC on its sale to Arclin. Insights Insights & Presentations Performance Management in Todays Economy, and Roundup of Important Legal Updates, SHRM/Stoel Rives 24th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2026 New laws shaping Oregon workplaces in 2026 and beyond (co-author), Portland Business Journal, February 2026 New Year, New Laws - What Oregon Employers Need to Know for 2026, Stoel Rives LLP webinar, February 2026 2025 Edition of the Oregon State Bars Labor and Employment Law in Oregon: Private Sector Chapter 13, Unfair Labor Practices (co-author) Todays Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law, SHRM/Stoel Rives 22nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2024 Best Practices in Employee Separations, Including Reductions in Force, SHRM/Stoel Rives 21st Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2023 Five Legal and Regulatory Employment Updates for Manufacturers (co-author), Portland Business Journal, September 2022 Ore. Employers Must Heed Challenged Heat, Smoke Rules (co-author), Law360, August 2022 Harassment and Discrimination: Awareness and Avoidance, (co-presenter), Client Training, June 2022 Legal & Legislative Update, SHRM/Stoel Rives 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2022 Speaking Engagements Webinar02.04.2026 New Year, New Laws - What Oregon Employers Need to Know for 2026 Publications Post03.22.2024 Governor Kotek Signs New Law Amending Oregon Leave Laws Article09.07.2022 Five Legal and Regulatory Employment Updates for Manufacturers Legal Alert07.01.2022 Heat and Smoke: New Rules for Oregon Employers Recognition Listed among Rising Stars (Labor & Employment, Employment Litigation), Oregon Super Lawyers , 2024-present Affiliations Professional Oregon State Bar Association, Member Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Member and Vice Chair of Employment Practice Group, 2026 SHRM/Stoel Rives Labor and Employment Law Conference, Co-Chair, 2023 and 2024 Civic The Childrens Representation Project, Multnomah County, 2019-2022 Child and Youth Advocacy Clinic, former Volunteer SMART Reading Program, Lawyers for Literacy Ambassador 2024-present Provided pro-bono immigration assistance to clients in removal proceedings