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About Karen
Biography
My trial practice focuses on defending employers and medical professionals in state and federal courts in both Oregon and Washington. I have represented employers in all types of employment discrimination claims brought in federal and state court. I am our firm's senior employment defense trial attorney.
In addition to defending private employers, I have extensive experience defending municipalities against all types of tort claims, including Section 1983 claims, First Amendment claims, and public accommodation claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
My medical negligence practice focuses primarily on defending medical professionals involved in pharmaceutical or medical device litigation.
I am a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and an Associate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. For the past three years, I have been named one of the “Top 25" Women Lawyers in Oregon by Oregon Super Lawyers magazine. I am listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice Defense, Legal Malpractice Defense and Professional Malpractice Defense.
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 19 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 38 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Hart Wagner LLP
1000 SW Broadway, Suite 2000, Portland, OR, 97205
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Karen O Kasey's Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 client review from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | June 21, 2021 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
The (female) Michael Jordan of lawyers
If you're up against Ms.O'Kasey Esq, you better have one heck of a case and one heck of a lawyer. I had the honor to be desposed by her over a lawsuit where she was defending a Warren Buffet company. I had studied her work for a few years and she is definitely of a higher echelon than many of the iv...
Karen O Kasey's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Karen for a number of years. Historically, Karen has defended a number of public entity members I represent. In every case, our members reported that they felt like they were in good hands. In every case, Karen helped us acheive a good outcome. Last year I had the opportunity to work directly with her in defending a large employment related suit. Karen was easy to work with and her knowledge of employment law and trial stragegy was among the best that I have seen."
Ronald Downs
Employment and labor lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
2018
Best Lawyer - Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Best Lawyer - Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Best Lawyer - Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Best Lawyer - Professional Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Lawyer of the Year - Legal Malpractice Defense - Portland, OR, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Best Lawyer - Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
2017
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2017
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2017
Top 50 Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2016
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2016
Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
2016
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyer - Legal Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyer - Professional Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyer - Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2015
Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
2015
Lawyer of the Year - Legal Malpractice Defense - Portland, OR, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyer - Legal Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyer - Professional Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyer - Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyer - Professional Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyer - Legal Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyer - Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2014
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2014
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2013
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2012
Best Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2012
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2011
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2011
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Oregon, Super Lawyers
2010
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2009
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2008
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2007
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
2006
Oregon Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense, Super Lawyers
N/A
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2002 - Present
Attorney and Partner, Hart Wagner LLP
2001 - 2002
Member, Board of Directors, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
1993 - 2002
Attorney and Partner, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
1987 - 1993
Associate, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
Associations
2014 - Present
St. Andrew Nativity SchoolMember, Finance Committee
2014 - Present
American College of Trial LawyersFellow
Litigation Counsel of America
Fellow
Oregon State Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section
Member
Diversity Law Institute
Member
American Bar Association
Member
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Member
Oregon Law Commission
Member, Civil Rights Work Group
Multnomah Bar Association
Member
American Board of Trial Advocates
Associate Member
American Bar Association
Member, Employers' Liability Subcommittee
American Bar Association
Past Chair, Torts and Insurance Practice Section
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Past Chair, Employment Law Subcommittee
2008 - 2010
Oregon State BarMember, Federal Practice and Procedure Committee
1994 - 1994
American Bar AssociationNational Institute Faculty
1992 - 1992
American Bar AssociationNational Institute Faculty
1989 - 1996
Oregon Ballet TheatreMember, Board of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
Ward v. Bolek
Summary judgment granted against all of plaintiff's claims
Phelps et al v. Wyeth, Inc. et al
Prevailed on summary judgment
Education
1986
Santa Clara University School of Law
JD
1983
San Francisco State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude
Speaking Engagements
2012
Adventist Health - Health Managers Network Training
Risk Management Identification and Assessment
2011
Oregon State Bar Labor & Employment Section Annual Meeting
Employment Law -Veterans’ Rights - USERRA and the Implications of Staub v. Proctor Hospital on Cat’s Paw Liability
2011
Oregon State Bar 18th Annual Litigation Institute
Trial Skills
2010
Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Oregon Pleadings and Parties: Tips and Traps for the Unwary
2009
Oregon State Bar 16th Annual Litigation Institute
Trial Advocacy in Action
2009
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention
OEC 104 in the Wake of Marcum v. Adventist Health
2007
Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Discovery and Punitive Damages Motions
2007
Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Trial Evidence in Employment and Civil Rights Cases
2005
Oregon State Bar 12th Annual Litigation Institute
Practical Considerations in Using Expert Witnesses
2004
Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Powerful Motion Practice-Discovery Motions
2002
Dentist Benefits Insurance Company Training
Risk Management
1997
Oregon State Bar Americans with Disabilities Act Continuing Legal Education Program
An In-Depth Look at Title I of the ADA
1996
Oregon State Bar Americans with Disabilities Act Continuing Legal Education Program
An In-Depth Look at Title I of the ADA
Publications
2014
Portland Business Journal
Ten Ways to Avoid an Employment Lawsuit
2000
Workers' Compensation - Oregon State Bar publication
Supplement to Chapter on Aggravation
1998
Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice
Chapter on Interpleader
1995
Oregon Damages
Chapter on Damages in Admiralty
1994
Workers' Compensation - Oregon State Bar publication
Chapter on Aggravation
1992
Oregon Damages
Chapter on Damages in Admiralty
1990
Oregon Damages
Chapter on Damages in Admiralty
Languages
English