About Susan K. Eggum

• Discrimination, Harassment
• Retaliation & Whistleblower Matters

• Misappropriation, TROs & Preliminary Injunctions

Represented Double Board-Certified Mohs Surgeon in the Lane County Circuit Court and in Arbitration seeking to set aside a non-competition agreement.  Client received an expedited unanimous decision setting aside the non-compete and awarding attorney fees and costs against the physician seeking to enforce the non-compete.

Represented two whistleblowers in tandem actions against former employer, a large integrated cannabis enterprise, arising out of reports of significant illegal activity.   Both matters settled favorably to the whistleblowers.

Retained as an Expert witness by counsel for legal malpractice claimant to analyze a high volume three-year federal court case filed and tried to a jury in the southeastern United States.  The malpractice claimant retained law firm to manage a partial breach of a 75 year royalty agreement entered in connection with the sale of intellectual property.  As a consequence of the negligent advice and series of negligent actions taken by the law firm, the client suffered damages of approximately $8 million. Testified before a three-person out of state Arbitration Panel.

Won summary judgment in the Multnomah County Circuit Court against the State of Oregon and the City of Portland on a six figure statutory attorney lien arising out a settlement where State and City failed to satisfy the attorney lien. Attorney fees, pre-judgment interest, prevailing party fees, and costs awarded to clients for a total recovery more than twice the sum of the original unsatisfied attorney lien.

Served as arbitrator in a highly-publicized whistleblower and wrongful termination suit filed by a former technical services manager for the Water Environmental Services (“WES”) Department of Clackamas County. The manager claimed he was terminated in retaliation for complaining that his supervisor was violating county and state contracting rules, and that the supervisor, when presenting to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, would be misrepresenting the need to pay an additional $300,000 to an outside vendor on a project where more than $1.5 million had already been spent by WES. The matter was settled in favor of the former employee, the supervisor was put on leave while his contracting practices were audited and Clackamas County was ordered to pay $322,236 in damages. Sunday Oregonian Article

Defended major national manufacturer and supplier of perishable consumer goods against multiple claims brought by major national purchaser and distributor asserting violations of CPG supply chain industry standards of notice for supply termination, including claims for interference with economic relations, promissory estoppel and breach of contract.

On behalf of a Silicon Valley high-technology entity in the industrial digital imaging industry, defended a suit brought by a Fortune 500 company against its former employee for alleged breaches of a non-compete, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. Moved for summary judgment on grounds of invalidity of agreement, and filed counterclaims for wage and hour violations. The matter was settled in favor of the client, including reimbursement of attorney fees incurred in bringing countersuit.

Represented a multinational Japanese corporation and its two Oregon subsidiaries operating in the light utility vehicle manufacturing and distribution sector. Brought suit for theft of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties of loyalty and honesty, and conversion against a shareholder and former officer and director. The defendant counterclaimed for wrongful discharge and an accounting of the value of shares held. The counterclaims were dismissed, and a unanimous jury verdict was awarded in favor of the Japanese national on all claims brought.

Represented major real estate developer with interests in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. Presented and defended claims in seven separate civil actions generally arising out of debt repayment obligations addressed in numerous LLC operating agreements, including the defense of claims of securities law violations. All matters were resolved favorably to the client.

Defended Fortune 500 company against claims for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation brought by former employee terminated after lodging internal complaint of harassment and filing administrative law charges during employment. Substantial claims were dismissed on summary judgment, and the remaining claims were settled favorably to client.

Served as second chair in defense of claims that the formation and operation of the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund violated federal antitrust law, including 15 USC §1, Sherman Act, and established record demonstrating applicability of the Noerr-Pennington defense. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the U.S. District Court’s decision that the operation of the Professional Liability Fund falls within the Noerr-Pennington exception to anticompetitive conduct.