Kyle Busse

Kyle Busse

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A force in the courtroom, Kyle Busse's commanding presence and keen intellect are matched by his deep compassion and stellar communication skills. A passionate advocate and artful diplomat, Kyle has been recognized as one of the leading attorneys in Oregon for nearly two decades.

Kyle takes on the most complex, high-stakes business cases involving contracts, trade secrets, shareholder disputes, fiduciary duties, employment claims, and high-stakes class actions. At the same time, he recognizes that litigation is ultimately about people and that making sense of a complex case requires taking the time necessary to truly know his clients, their industry, their goals, and the problems that run to the heart of the case. A client recently told Chambers USA that "Kyle seeks to not only understand our business, but the fabric of our culture." Another client said, "Kyle shows his views of cases and what next processes are. He constantly seeks client input." Another client added that Kyle is “hugely effective and a fantastic attorney.”

Kyle is recognized as a Notable Practitioner in the prestigious Chambers USA directory, as well as by Super Lawyers®, both as a "Rising Star" and a "Super Lawyer" for eighteen consecutive years (2008-present). Since 2016, Kyle has been included in “Best Lawyers in America®” for Employment Law and Labor and Employment Litigation. Kyle was named Best Lawyers' 2020 "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Law – Individuals, in Portland, Oregon, and a Labor & Employment Star by Benchmark Litigation®.

Kyle is an integral part of the firm’s bet-the-company and government practice groups, where he has successfully represented companies, and the State of Oregon and its departments, in complex litigation and class actions. He is also co-chair of the firm’s employment practice group. Kyle brings nearly 20 years of experience litigating a wide range of cases in state and federal courts, from multi-thousand-member class action claims to individual discrimination suits.

Kyle is widely recognized for his practical experience and has spoken and contributed to publications on various topics, including deposition practice, federal practice, statutory interpretation, alternative dispute resolution, employment litigation, and government enforcement of administrative claims. He also has extensive experience in state and federal appellate courts, having briefed and argued numerous times before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Oregon Court of Appeals.

 Publications

  • "The Deposition Handbook,” 6th Edition, Trial Guides, co-author (2024)
  • “The Missing Link: Interpreting Oregon’s Aid and Abet Statute,” Chapter, Employment Law Update, Oregon Law Institute of Lewis & Clark Law School (2016)
  • "Alternative Dispute Resolution," chapter, Oregon State Bar Legal Publications (2009)
  • "Oregon Civil Rights Newsletter: Supreme Court Update," Oregon State Bar Civil Rights Section (2008-2015)
  • "Labor and Employment Law: Private Sector, Equal Employment Opportunity: Enforcement" Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education (2011)
  • "Federal Civil Litigation in Oregon," Oregon State Bar Legal Publications (2009)
  • "Representing Low-Wage Immigrant Workers on Wage & Hour and Workers’ Compensation Claims," Speaker and Author (2009)

  • Notable Practitioner, Labor & Employment, Chambers USA, 2023 – present
  • Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Individuals, Portland, OR, 2020
  • Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law - Individuals; Litigation - Labor and Employment Law, 2016 – present
  • Recognized, Lawdragon, 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, 2023 - 2024
  • Super Lawyer, General Litigation, 2024, 2025; Employment Litigation – Plaintiff, 2019 – 2023; Rising Star, 2008 – 2018
  • Labor & Employment Star, Benchmark Litigation
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association
  • Member, Civil Rights Section, Oregon State Bar
  • Member, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
  • Commissioner, City of Portland Human Rights Commission, 2011 – 2015, Commission Chair, 2012 – 2013
  • Chair, Portland Human Trafficking Task Force, 2014 – 2017
  • Volunteer, Hands On Greater Portland


  • Oregon
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University — J.D.
  • University of Oregon — B.A., Philosophy

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