Helen McFarland is an accomplished, first-chair trial lawyer and strategic advisor who represents employers and organizations in complex, high‑stakes litigation. She brings decades of experience defending her clients in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings, and has obtained numerous defense summary judgment rulings and other favorable resolutions.
Helen’s litigation practice spans a broad range of workplace and business‑related disputes, including wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, unfair competition, wage and hour claims, and independent contractor misclassification. She is known for her fierce and persuasive advocacy on behalf of her clients and her ability to communicate effectively with judges, juries, and witnesses alike. Helen excels at working with witnesses across the spectrum, including operators, experts, and C-suite leaders. Whether advising a board of directors on litigation strategy or gearing up in PPE to examine machinery firsthand, she immerses herself in every aspect of a case. Helen efficiently manages sensitive matters with discretion, while advancing litigation strategies tailored to her clients’ practical needs and objectives.
In addition to her courtroom practice, Helen is a valued counselor to in‑house legal and HR teams, particularly those facing novel or high‑risk issues. She advises organizations on compliance and risk mitigation related to hiring and termination decisions, accommodation and leave obligations, wage-and-hour practices, and internal governance. Helen regularly drafts and reviews employee handbooks, employment policies, and agreements, including confidentiality, separation, and arbitration agreements, always with an eye toward avoiding litigation.
Helen also serves as an independent workplace investigator for private and public entities. She conducts thorough, impartial investigations into allegations of misconduct, including matters involving executive‑level leaders, and provides clear, defensible findings that withstand scrutiny. Her investigations are informed by her deep litigation experience and her understanding of how internal decisions can later be examined in court or by regulators.
Helen has developed particular depth in representing clients in the healthcare and retail sectors, while also advising organizations in technology, financial services, and transportation. Licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon, and California, she helps clients navigate the legal landscapes of three of the most demanding jurisdictions for employers, staying attuned to evolving state and local laws that affect litigation risk and compliance obligations.
