A former human resources consultant, Christine Thelen brings to her practice a unique understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing employers and HR professionals, from resolving workplace disputes and managing employee relations to addressing performance issues and crafting compliance policies and procedures.
Christine excels at providing executives, managers, and HR professionals spanning various industries and organizational sizes with practical advice and real-world solutions tailored to their specific workplace culture and goals. She is a natural problem solver skilled at helping her clients navigate an array of compliance, employee performance, and workplace issues, including:
- Navigating challenging separation and disciplinary actions
- Addressing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace complaints
- Advising on leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations
- Guiding clients through workplace investigations
- Developing comprehensive employee handbooks and HR policies
- Making and implementing policy decisions
- Drafting and negotiating nondisclosure, noncompete, nonsolicitation, arbitration, and other employee agreements
- Conducting pay equity and wage and hour audits
Experience
Representative Matters
Professional Highlights
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2025
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “Best Practices for Best Employers™” Lane Powell Labor & Employment Seminar, September & October 2022, 2023, 2024
“Managing Performance in Legally Risky Situations,” LeadingAge Washington, October 8, 2024
“Employment Law Update,” Mid-Valley SHRM, August 14, 2024
“10 Critical Employment Law Compliance Issues for Administrators, Executive Directors, and Managers, Washington Health Care Association,” January 4, 2024
“Joint Employer Under the NLRA: Ramifications of the NLRB’s New Rule for Senior Living and Long-Term Care,” Oregon Health Care Association, December 6, 2023
“Risks and Alternatives for Drug Testing Employees in Long Term Care Settings Redux,” LeadingAge Washington, November 14, 2023
“Human Resources Networking Meeting,” LeadingAge Oregon, June 21, 2023
“Navigating Current Employment Law and HR Updates,” Oregon Health Care Association, November 9, 2022
“Managing Performance in Legally Risky Situations,” Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries, November 9, 2022
“Culturally Competent Care: The Key to Enhancing Compliance, Satisfaction, and Morale,” Oregon Health Care Association, September 20, 2022
“Complying with the Oregon Equal Pay Act Post-COVID-19,” LeadingAge, September 15, 2022
“Drug Testing Employees in the LTC Setting: Risks and Alternatives,” LeadingAge, April 15, 2022
Board Memberships & Community Service
Habitat for Humanity, Family Selection Committee, 2011-2017
Credentials
Education
Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2007)
Dean’s List
Temple Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Law, Published Staff Member
International Law and Public Policy Award Recipient
Claremont McKenna College (B.A.)
Admissions
Oregon
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Washington