I am a Proud Oregon Unemployment Lawyer

Photo: State of Oregon

There are many attorneys who will not touch unemployment matters because they are “too small.” This is unfortunate. It’s unfortunate because the unemployment system has become such a critical resource for so many Oregonians in recent years. It’s unfortunate because there are so many people in need of skilled representation in this very sub-specialized area of the law. Sure, unemployment cases are not multimillion dollar cases – but they mean the world to those involved.

I proudly represent claimants and employers in unemployment appeals before the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) and the Employment Appeals Board (EAB). I regularly provide advice and representation in unemployment benefits appeal cases. I handle phone hearings with judges resulting from an administrative denial of benefits. I also do written appeals to the EAB. It’s a specialized area of the law that I enjoy helping clients navigate.

There aren’t a ton of laws involved in a typical unemployment appeal. The statutes are mainly confined to one chapter of the Oregon Revised Statutes and a single chapter of the Oregon Administrative Code. But those laws provide the underpinnings for a system that is separate and distinct from the Oregon courts. The proceedings are administrative in nature rather than judicial.  In other words, the unemployment system is a unique creature. That creates a unique set of challenges.

My work involves helping claimants and employers succeed in unemployment appeal cases. In many cases, my primary work involves helping my clients craft and streamline their approach to the hearings. To put it more bluntly, I help my clients calm down and focus on what is important. From an administrative standpoint, I submit my clients’ hearing requests in a timely manner, coordinate evidence submissions and arrange for witness participation. I attend phone hearings with my clients. I question witnesses and make arguments before administrative law judges.

As for fees, I try my best to keep things as inexpensive as possible. It is rare that my total fee for an unemployment appeal will exceed $1,000. Fees depend, of course, on the complexity of each particular case. The best way to learn more about my fees is to call my office at 503-405-8674 or email me at christiansenj@gmail.com.