APRIL 1, 2025 – Sarah Hale, an experienced labor and employment attorney with strong expertise representing the healthcare industry, has joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as a partner in Portland (Ore.).
Hale regularly serves as the chief negotiator on behalf of management in contract negotiations, with a particular emphasis on hospital and healthcare clients. She advises clients on labor strategy and often represents them in labor arbitrations, as well as conducting sensitive workplace investigations.
"Sarah is among a small pool of highly talented labor partners nationally," said Mark Berry, co-chair of the employment services group at DWT. "She will significantly expand our ability to support employers of all kinds, especially those with a unionized workforce. She not only brings first-chair bargaining experience but also a well-earned reputation for listening and helping solve complex problems. With more and more clients coming to us with a need for sophisticated labor counsel, we are very fortunate to have her join us."
Hale joins a DWT labor and employment group that Chambers USA has recognized as a nationwide leader and as one of the top firms serving Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California.
"I've known many members of the DWT team for years and hold them in the highest regard," said Hale. "Their collegiality and dedication to upholding the highest standards of our profession are second to none. I'm excited to join this top-of-market team and add to their reputation for excellence in serving clients in the healthcare space and many other industries."
In addition to her traditional labor practice, Hale provides day-to-day advice to employers on disability accommodation, employee discipline, as well as family and medical leave policies, among other areas. She guides clients as they navigate intricate employment law issues, empowering them with the decision-making tools to help workplaces run smoothly.
"Sarah has a proven track record in fostering client loyalty and developing associate talent," said Kevin Kono, DWT's Portland partner-in-charge. "She will complement the strong core of employment partners we have here and contribute to our strategic goal of drawing the best work from sophisticated clients."
Hale comes to DWT with more than a decade of private practice experience, in both Washington and Oregon, most recently as a shareholder at Ogletree Deakins. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Oregon State Bar's Labor and Employment Section and formerly served as the ombudsman to the board of governors for the Washington State Bar Association.
Hale received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Oregon and her J.D. from the University of Washington. Before entering private practice, she served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Marsha J. Pechman in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the Honorable Marlin J. Appelwick in the Washington State Court of Appeals.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. The firm's employment team is one of the largest in the country, with 120 lawyers in the Pacific Northwest, California, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Alaska, including 11 fellows of the College of Labor and Employment Law. Learn more at www.dwt.com.