team-member

Sonia Montalbano

Portland, OR

Licensed for 24 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Business

Language

English

About

Sonia Montalbano specializes in the areas of employment and business law, with an emphasis on litigation.  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 represents both employers and employees in employment related 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

Practices Areas

Business

Employment and labor

DUI and DWI

Language

English

Contact

1140 SW 11th Ave, Suite 400Portland, OR, 97205

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

Jeanine
February 8, 2022

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 representation 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.

Ryan
June 10, 2021

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 involved, 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.

Jerry and Hal
January 18, 2018

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.

anonymous
April 5, 2016

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.

anonymous
July 7, 2014

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.

anonymous
May 5, 2014

My business partner and I received Sonia's name from an attorney friend as we were preparing to launch a new small business. From the beginning Sonia engendered confidence in the process. As a small business we were looking for an attorney who would understand what we needed and provide practical and timely advice on how to proceed on a number issues. Sonia and her colleagues came through in spades, all while providing a reasonable price tag! We feel confident that our business is well prepared for any potential challenges it may face. We will continue to seek Sonia's advice on business and employment issues to maintain the high integrity of our venture.

Capt. Philip
April 15, 2011

Sonia is a good straight shooter, does not drag on anything to burn the clock. I use several legal teams for my medium sized company, and she is the one I use from time to time when I need unusual problems that need to be corrected in a way that will not resurface in the future or a resolution that would take other attorneys several letters to get the job done. Hence you get what you pay for.

anonymous
March 30, 2011

Ms. Montalbano represented me in a real estate dispute. The self-represented seller refused to return our earnest money when the transaction failed because the house did not appraise. Ms. Montalbano listened well to our concerns and testimony, and obtained great testimony from the real estate professionals involved in the failed transaction. She won at arbitration, and then won a summary judgment when the seller sought a trial de novo in Circuit Court.

Jeanine
February 8, 2022

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 representation 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.

Ryan
June 10, 2021

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 involved, 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.

Jerry and Hal
January 18, 2018

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.

anonymous
April 5, 2016

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.

anonymous
July 7, 2014

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.

anonymous
May 5, 2014

My business partner and I received Sonia's name from an attorney friend as we were preparing to launch a new small business. From the beginning Sonia engendered confidence in the process. As a small business we were looking for an attorney who would understand what we needed and provide practical and timely advice on how to proceed on a number issues. Sonia and her colleagues came through in spades, all while providing a reasonable price tag! We feel confident that our business is well prepared for any potential challenges it may face. We will continue to seek Sonia's advice on business and employment issues to maintain the high integrity of our venture.

Capt. Philip
April 15, 2011

Sonia is a good straight shooter, does not drag on anything to burn the clock. I use several legal teams for my medium sized company, and she is the one I use from time to time when I need unusual problems that need to be corrected in a way that will not resurface in the future or a resolution that would take other attorneys several letters to get the job done. Hence you get what you pay for.

anonymous
March 30, 2011

Ms. Montalbano represented me in a real estate dispute. The self-represented seller refused to return our earnest money when the transaction failed because the house did not appraise. Ms. Montalbano listened well to our concerns and testimony, and obtained great testimony from the real estate professionals involved in the failed transaction. She won at arbitration, and then won a summary judgment when the seller sought a trial de novo in Circuit Court.