Joe Traylor has a diverse litigation and mediation practice including successful defense of automobile insurers and their insureds, product liability claims, claims of every nature against employers, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims, trucking accidents, liquor liability for bars and restaurants, construction, medical professionals, and premises liability claims for retail establishments across Oregon and Washington. For over 16 years, Mr. Traylor has successfully tried cases across Oregon and Washington and he practices in both State and Federal Courts in both states. Mr. Traylor immediately involves himself in each of his clients’ cases and has a keen ability to evaluate liability and damages exposures before substantial fees are incurred. His work ethic and accessibility make him popular among his diverse range of clients who need prompt answers to complex legal problems.
Mr. Traylor has been selected by his peers as one of the top Lawyers in Oregon by being named a Rising Star in SuperLawyers magazine in both 2008 and 2010. He received a specialized certificate of alternative dispute resolution from Willamette University Law School and has been selected many times as an arbitrator and mediator in many personal injury and commercial matters.
Practice Experience
- Partner, since 1996
- Shetterly, Irick and Shetterly
Dallas, Oregon, 1995-1996,
Certified Law Clerk – prosecuted criminal trials in Municipal and District Court
Trial Experience
Mr. Traylor has taken more than 35 cases to jury verdict and continues to try several cases each year.
Representative Matters
• Successfully defended and settled catastrophic injury cases for numerous employers and heavy equipment manufacturers
• Represented numerous employers and obtained multiple summary judgment awards in Employer Liability Act Claims
• Successful defense of numerous underinsured employers who faced multi-million dollar exposures which would cause them to close their businesses if there was an adverse verdict
• Successful defense of numerous Oregon and Washington retailers including Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer, Ross Dress for Less and Costco in premises liability actions
• Successful defense of numerous construction cases including General Contractors, Sub Contractors and Design Professionals
• Successful defense of cause and origin disputes involving significant property damage caused by fire and arson
• Successful defense of Automobile Insurers, both private and commercial in UIM and PIP actions
Successful defense of excavators who unknowingly damage underground utilities when performing directional drilling and other complex excavation activities
• Numerous defense verdicts for individuals involved in automobile accidents, including SIU and MIST defense for several automobile insurers
Education
- Willamette University College of Law
J.D., 1996
Certificate of Dispute Resolution, May 1996
High Paper Award – Insurance, Spring 1996 - Oregon State University
B.S., Financial Management, 1993,
President – Mortar Board National Honor Society
Admitted to Practice
Oregon State Courts
Washington State Courts
United States District Court, District of Oregon
United States District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
Professional & Community Activities
• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Oregon State Bar
• Washington State Bar Association
• Multnomah Bar Association
• American Bar Association