Sonia A Montalbano

Sonia A Montalbano

also known as Sonia Montalbano, McKean Smith, LLC

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 29 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Portland, OR
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, Business, Contracts & Agreements, Personal Injury

1140 SW 11th Ave, Suite 500, Portland, OR

About Sonia

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Employment and Labor 50%

Represents both employers and employees on a variety of employment issues, including employment contracts, policies, non-competition agreements, severance agreements and wage disputes.

29 years | 200 cases

50%
Business 25%

Specializes in the areas of employment and business law, with an emphasis on litigation. Assists clients in learning the risks that are associated with their particular business, as well as the day-to-day operations of any organization. Advises clients on issues such as choice of entity, lease negotiations, contracts, and employment issues, including employment contracts, policies, non-competition agreements, severance agreements and wage disputes.

29 years | 200 cases

25%
Contracts and Agreements 20%

Specializes in the areas of employment and business law, with an emphasis on litigation. Represents client in matters of contract formation, negotiation, and disputes.

29 years | 200 cases

20%
Personal Injury 5%

Has successfully represented clients in significant personal injury cases.

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 23 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2002

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Oregon for 29 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Location

McKean Smith, LLC

1140 SW 11th Ave, Suite 500, Portland, OR, 97205

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Sonia A Montalbano's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews

Posted by Jeanine | February 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Wonderful to work with

I can't imagine going through the incredibly difficult and stressful process of my unlawful employment practice case with a former employer without her guidance. She was patient yet firm, and never took advantage of hourly fees, workload, or response time. Although the damage which leads to needing r...epresentation and council in any capacity can never be undone, having someone interpret the law on your behalf, and exceeding your expectations in the end result, allows for a sense of closure I wasn't sure I would get. I highly recommend her.

Posted by Ryan | June 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Excellent Guidance Through a Sticky Situation

I worked with Sonia to resolve an unfortunate situation that emerged with the owner of a company I was working for. She was so professional and knowledgeable and advised on various options and directions that we could take. Sonia did a great job representing me to the other lawyer that became involve...d, and we were able to arrive at a settlement that covered all the bases and rendered the situation something I could easily move on from. While I hope I don't need her services in the future, if I do, I would absolutely work with her again.

Posted by Jerry and Hal | January 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Landlord & Tenant

She resolved a difficult situation

She helped us resolve a very difficult situation with a tenant. We were expecting litigation on both sides, but she calmly but forcefully got both sides to understand the other's situation, and worked out an agreement without litigation. We were completely satisfied and feel she did a great job.

Posted by anonymous | April 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

very satisfied

I had a case against a former employer. Sonia worked tirelessly for my case and the results were very favorable for me. I consider every penny of the cost to retain her worth it. I will be recommending her to anyone I feel needs her services in the future.

Posted by anonymous | July 07, 2014 | Employment & Labor

Very helpful during a very stressful time.

I was experiencing a very stressful staff/management issue at my place of work that involved human resources and an investigation. Ms. Montalbano was able to review the facts with me and provide a course of action for myself to communicate in a positive manner with my employer over what my concerns ...and request for further action would be. This helped me stay calm and focused during a very unpleasant time. Ms. Montalbano is clear, concise, and checks in with regard to progress. I recommend her services to anyone experiencing problems at their place of employment.

See All Client Reviews

Sonia A Montalbano's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sonia
Collin C McKean headshot
Collin McKean

Employment and labor lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Co-worker

"Sonia Montalbano's case results speak for themselves. She has proven to be exceedingly effective in trial and her litigation experience informs her advise to business and employment clients. I endorse Sonia's work as a business and employment lawyer."

Keith Brenton Walker headshot
Keith Walker

Litigation lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Sonia is an astute attorney who provides excellent representation with an eye towards costs. She is adept at problem-solving while keeping the big picture in mind, very professional in her relationships with opposing counsel, and efficient with respect to guiding matters -- whether litigation-related or otherwise -- through to resolution."

Lake James H Perriguey headshot
Lake James Perriguey

Business lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"High recommendation. Ms. Montalbano is a dedicated, creative, and passionate advocate and counselor. She is fearless and poised during court appearances and public speaking."

Robert C Kline Jr headshot
Robert Kline

Litigation lawyer | Mar 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sonia is no shrinking violet and does not hesitate to go to bat for her clients. She also is a skilled negotiator."

View All Endorsements

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Women of Vision, Daily Journal of Commerce

2023

Top 100, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators

2014

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

Commendation for Pro Bono Services, Washington State Bar Association

2009

Attorney of the Year, Portland Rugby Football Club

1997

Member, Cornelius Honor Society - Lewis & Clark Law School

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Of Counsel, McKean Smith, LLC

2005 - 2018

Shareholder, Elliott, Ostrander & Preston, P.C.

2002 - 2006

Sole Practitioner, Sonia Montalbano, Attorney at Law

2001 - 2002

Partner, Cobb, Bosse & Montalbano

1997 - 2001

Attorney, Cobb & Woodworth

1992 - 1993

Assistant Agent, Creative Artists Agency - Los Angeles, CA

Associations

2006 - Present

Campaign for Equal Justice

Advisory Board

2003 - Present

Gus J. Solomon American Inn of Court

Executive Commitee

1999 - Present

Oregon Women Lawyers Association

Member

1997 - Present

Multnomah Bar Association

Member

2014 - 2016

Oregon Association of Defense Counsel

Member

2008 - 2010

Gus J. Solomon American Inn of Court

President

1999 - 2013

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association

Guardian/Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Pfeiffer v. Mortenson, Relin, Penguin Publishing and CAI

Dismissed with prejudice

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

City University of New York, Hunter College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2025

Private Speaking Engagement

Service Animals and ADA Compliance

2025

Oregon State Bar Annual Meeting - Labor and Employment Section

Bracing for Impact - Executive Orders and Impacts on Private Sector Employers

2024

Monthly Meeting

Book Bans in America

2023

Young Litigators Forum

Avoiding the Traps that Trip Up Small Businesses

2023

Monthly Meeting

Barriers to Equal Justice

2018

Tips and Traps Every Attorney Should Know - Continuing Legal Education

Employment Law

2018

Attorney Fees in Oregon - Continuing Learning Education

Attorney Fees

2013

Arbitration in Oregon

Arbitration

2012

Management & Governance, Negotiating the Labyrinth - CLE

Employment Law

2011

The Ides of Oregon

Right to a Jury Trial Under the Oregon Constitution

2009

Jury Trials in Oregon

Jury Trials in Oregon as Illustrated by the Film "12 Angry Men"

2008

OCDLA Annual CLE

Civil Jury Trials

Publications

2019

Oregon State Bar CLE - Mediation and Arbitration Mediation - Ethics and Advocacy

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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