Partner – Employee Defection & Trade Secrets

Location: Portland, OR
Practice Focus: Employee Defection, Trade Secrets, and Restrictive Covenants
Portable Business Requirement: Minimum $400,000

Position Overview

A nationally scaled labor and employment law platform is seeking a seasoned Partner to support and grow its Employee Defection & Trade Secrets practice in Fort Lauderdale. This role is designed for a senior attorney with an established portable book of business of at least $300,000 and deep experience advising employers on the protection of confidential information, customer relationships, and competitive assets.

The Partner will counsel local, multi-state, and international organizations on high-risk employee mobility matters and lead complex disputes involving restrictive covenants, unfair competition, and trade secret misappropriation.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Counseling & Advisory

• Advise employers on employee mobility risks, restrictive covenant strategy, and protection of proprietary business information.

• Draft, review, and enforce non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements across multiple jurisdictions.

• Design scalable frameworks and policies to prevent, detect, and respond to employee defection and information misuse.

• Provide strategic guidance on hiring practices, employee onboarding, and workforce transitions.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Lead high-stakes trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation in state and federal courts.

• Initiate and defend emergency relief actions, including temporary restraining orders and injunctions.

• Handle disputes involving employee raiding, team moves, unfair competition, and breach of fiduciary duties.

• Represent clients in arbitration and mediation involving restrictive covenants and confidential information disputes.

• Manage cross-border matters, including international enforcement and defensive proceedings.

Transactions, Growth & Risk Management

• Counsel clients on employee-related risk in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring.

• Draft and enforce restrictive covenants in transaction documents and post-closing retention arrangements.

• Develop asset-protection strategies that support future transactions, investments, and organizational growth.

Investigations & Early Intervention

• Partner with forensic and technical resources to identify and preserve evidence of data theft or misuse.

• Conduct early risk assessments to inform litigation strategy or facilitate efficient resolution.

• Pursue cost-effective and business-driven resolutions when litigation is not required.

Business Development & Leadership

• Maintain and expand a portable book of business of $300,000 or more.

• Build and deepen client relationships across industries and geographies.

• Collaborate with partners and teams nationally to deliver integrated client solutions.

• Mentor and develop junior attorneys within the practice.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

• Active bar membership in Oregon or eligibility for admission.

• 10+ years of focused experience in employee defection, trade secrets, and restrictive covenant matters.

• Demonstrated portable book of business of at least $300,000.

• Advanced knowledge of federal and state trade secret and unfair competition laws.

• Experience handling multi-jurisdictional and cross-border matters preferred.

• Strong litigation, advisory, and client-relationship skills.

Why This Opportunity

• Join a nationally integrated platform with a deep focus on employee mobility and asset protection.

• Engage in sophisticated matters for employers ranging from regional businesses to global organizations.

• Access to strong operational, forensic, and litigation support.

• Entrepreneurial environment that values collaboration, leadership, and business development.