ARUNA A. MASIH, the daughter of a bi-racial couple, was raised to believe that everyone is entitled to equal respect and opportunity. This is especially important in the workplace where we not only earn our living to support our families but also carry on the business of our society as a whole. Because of this upbringing, it's only natural that Aruna chose the area of civil rights, labor and employment law as a specialty to help working people. Whether unionized or not, Aruna helps employees access and enforce the laws which entitle them to protection against discriminatory and other unlawful treatment by employers. Employees are often unaware of these laws, and confronting an employer is never easy. Understanding this, Aruna works hard on behalf of her clients to ensure their rights are protected to the fullest extent of the law, both in and outside the courtroom.

Areas of Practice

Labor Law -- Collective bargaining, union organizing and elections, public sector labor disputes, grievance arbitrations, interest arbitrations, representation before the Oregon Employee Relations Board and the National Labor Relations Board, and class action lawsuits on behalf of employees and pension recipients.

Employment Law -- Wrongful Termination, Discrimination (Race, Gender, Age, Disability, or Sexual Orientation), Racial or Sexual Harassment, Family and Medical Leave, Retaliation for Union Activity and Free Speech, Government Employment, Individual and Class-Action Wage Claims, Professional License Discipline.

Significant Cases

Labor Law
An employee suffering from Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covered conditions was disciplined for alleged excessive absenteeism. Aruna Masih, representing the employee through her union, took grievances on behalf of the employee to arbitration under the union's contract with the employer and won reversal of the disciplinary action.

Labor Law
An employee was denied reimbursement for travel she did for her employer. Aruna, represented the employee through her union, filed grievances on behalf of the employee under the union's contract with the employer and negotiated a settlement with the employer for the full amount owed to the employee.

Employment Law
An employee suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder was refused the right to return to work by her employer, even after her doctor issued a full release. Aruna helped file a disability discrimination case in federal court on behalf of the employee. The employer settled the case before trial, agreeing to give the employee most of the money and other relief she was asking the federal court to award.

Employment Law
An employee was subjected to sexual harassment by her supervisor and other male co-workers. The situation at work became so unbearable that the employee was forced to quit her job. Aruna helped file a sex discrimination and wrongful discharge case in state court on behalf of the employee. The employer settled the case during depositions of their witnesses, agreeing to give the employee a large portion of money and other relief she was asking the state court to award.

Complex Litigation
Aruna has served as member of the firm's litigation teams for both the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) litigation and the Bill Sizemore litigation.