William E. Gaar

Bill Gaar is an advocate and litigator for his business and employer clients, providing practical solutions to everyday concerns and protecting his clients’ rights in state and federal court, private arbitration and mediation, and before state and federal agencies. Well versed in all areas of employment and commercial/consumer law, he has assisted every size of organization.

As the current chair of the Employment Law and Litigation Practice Group, Bill is a frequent guest lecturer at Portland State University, speaker and author on employment law topics providing important information to clients through seminars and individual training.

Bill is a Senior Fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. The Litigation Counsel of America limits membership to 3,500 Fellows. Bill is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the HR Certification Institute.

• General employment counsel for all types and sizes of business in daily human resource management as well as production of key employee agreements and compensation packages for sales and other employees.
• Representation of automobile dealerships, Assisted Living, and Agricultural businesses, in all areas of employment, consumer, commercial law and general litigation.
• Representing, drafting, and negotiating trade secret/confidentiality and non-competition agreements as well as providing litigation services for the enforcement of such agreements to protect business assets.

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Society of Human Resource Professionals
• Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (2013-present)
• Notable® Peer Rated for Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024)

• Board Member – Oregon International Air Show
• Board Member and President – Oregon International Air Show Charitable Foundation
• Member – Trial Law Institute
• Member – Diversity Law Institute
• Past Trustee – Oregon Ballet Theatre
• Past Member and Chair – City of Lake Oswego Planning Commission
• Former Member – City of Lake Oswego Citizen Advisory Committee for Comprehensive Plan Update