Sonia A. Montalbano
Sonia A. Montalbano
Sonia Montalbano specializes in the areas of employment and business law, with an emphasis on litigation. The most well intentioned co-owners can face internal disputes amongst themselves. Ms. Montalbano believes that the key to avoiding unnecessary problems down the road is proper planning at the outset. She assists clients in learning the risks that are associated with their particular business, as well as the day-to-day operations of any organization. Ms. Montalbano 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. She also represents employees in wage claim disputes. While she works with clients in a wide variety of industries, Ms. Montalbano represents a growing number of restaurants, brew pubs, wine shops and wine importers. She has also testified as an expert witness on a number of occasions on the issue of attorney fees in attorney fee disputes.
A native New Yorker, Ms. Montalbano graduated from Hunter College in NY, magna cum laude, and earned her J.D. from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she was a member of the Cornelius Honor Society. She is licensed to practice in Oregon and Washington. Ms. Montalbano also serves as Bar Counsel to the Oregon State Bar. She is a member of the Multnomah Bar Association, Oregon Women Lawyers, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, the Oregon Criminal Defense Association, and the Gus J. Solomon Inns of Court. She has also served as an arbitrator in a number of cases.
Ms. Montalbano is involved in numerous civic and bar association activities. She frequently performs as an auctioneer and emcee for a variety of non-profit organizations, and has helped to raise over one million dollars for charity. She enjoys snowboarding, gardening, and is learning to surf. She has also performed over twenty weddings.