We are a labor law firm proud to support organized labor and workers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond

Mike has been practicing law since 1978 and is the founding partner of Tedesco Law Group. He started his legal career working as a civil rights enforcement attorney with the Oregon Department of Justice. He began practicing labor law exclusively in 1980 and has represented labor unions for more than 35 years. 

 

Mike has arbitrated hundreds of cases and frequently appears before labor boards and arbitrators. He has bargained labor agreements in both the private and public sector, assisting unions in mediation and interest arbitration, and providing critical guidance during economic and unfair labor practice strikes. Mike has also worked as a legal advisor in dozens of organizing campaigns in both the public and private sector.

 

Recognition for Mike’s legal achievements includes his induction as a fellow in the National College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in 2005. The College is a national organization of labor lawyers selected by their peers for making significant contributions to the field of labor relations.

 

In 2012, Mike received Oregon’s Labor Employment Relations Association (LERA) award for outstanding labor lawyer, in recognition of his significant contributions to labor law in Oregon.

 

Mike is an experienced negotiator and has bargained contracts on behalf of labor unions of all sizes. He participated in bargaining on behalf of the Denver Police Protective Association in 2012 and 2014, including a successful interest arbitration in 2012. He also represented the Las Vegas Police Protective Association in its negotiations in 2011, 2013 and 2014, including a successful interest arbitration in 2013.

 

He has bargained numerous labor agreements in the health care industry in Alaska and served as chief spokesperson in labor negotiations on behalf of firefighters, correctional officers, paramedics, nurses, communication dispatchers, transit workers, teamsters, metal trades workers, engineers, teachers, classified school employees, building trade workers and municipal and county workers.

 

Teaching and Training

 

Mike is an adjunct professor of labor law and arbitration at the University of Oregon Law School.  He began teaching at the University in January 2002. He has also taught courses in the University of Oregon’s Dispute Resolution Center.

 

Mike is a frequent speaker at conferences for labor professionals, such as PERC, LERC, and LERA. He has performed in-house training for many unions in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, California and Nevada.

 

Selected Honors and Awards

 

• Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, inducted 2005

• Outstanding Labor Lawyer in Oregon, Oregon Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA), 2012

 

Education

 

• College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1975

• Los Angeles’ Southwestern University School of Law, 1978

 

Admissions

 

• Oregon, 1978