Shemia Fagan is a civil rights employment attorney and Managing Partner at HKM Employment Attorneys. Her practice focuses on representing employees in cases involving workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage violations. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon, California, Idaho, and federal court.
Shemia’s work centers on employment disputes where individuals face institutions with significant resources and legal representation. Her approach to litigation is disciplined and strategic, grounded in careful preparation, detailed evidence review, and a clear understanding of how employment cases are evaluated in court.
Early in her legal career, Shemia Fagan represented corporations in employment disputes at a major Portland law firm. That experience gave her firsthand insight into how companies assess legal risk, conduct internal investigations, and build defense strategies. She now applies that knowledge when representing employees, focusing on the documentation, timelines, and decision-making processes that often determine the outcome of a case.
Over the course of her practice, Shemia Fagan has secured significant results for workers facing unlawful treatment in the workplace. Her case experience includes a $3.5 million settlement for a college employee terminated while undergoing breast cancer treatment, as well as substantial recoveries in cases involving race discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
In addition to her legal practice, Shemia served in public office in Oregon from 2013 to 2023. During that time, she served in the Oregon Legislature and later as Oregon Secretary of State. Her work in public service focused on expanding access to voting, strengthening paid family and medical leave protections, and addressing housing issues affecting working families.
Today, Shemia Fagan focuses her professional work on employment litigation and civil rights in the workplace. Her practice reflects a longstanding commitment to accountability, fairness, and the principle that workplace decisions must comply with the law.
Shemia also writes about employment law, litigation strategy, and emerging workplace issues on her blog.
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Shemia Fagan | Civil Rights Attorney | Managing Partner HKM Employment Attorneys 