Joseph A. Pickels

Associate vCard PDF

Joseph is a litigation attorney primarily focused on liability and coverage defense in various capacities. He has taken multiple cases to jury verdict, bench trial, and arbitration and has briefed issues before the Oregon and Washington Supreme Courts, ranging from chemical exposure presumptions in workers’ compensation matters, trial procedure defects, and statutory interpretation and constitutional protections.

Prior to joining Hart Wagner, Joseph served as Chief Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Minority Caucus in the Oregon House of Representatives and as a litigation attorney at a Portland-based civil defense firm.

Education

Willamette University College of Law
J.D., 2019
Willamette Law “Oral Advocate of the Year” (2019)
National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Regional Finalist (2019)

Grand Canyon University
B.S., Finance & Economics

Experience

Hart Wagner LLP
Associate Attorney, 2023 – present

Oregon House of Representatives
Chief Counsel and Senior Advisor, Republican Caucus, 2022 – 2023

Wallace, Klor, Mann, Capener & Bishop, P.C.
Senior Associate Attorney, 2022
Associate Attorney, 2020 – 2022

Admitted To Practice

Oregon State Court
Washington State Court
U.S. District Court: District of Oregon

Professional Activities and Associations

Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association

Outside of the office

Outside of the office, you can find Joseph on the golf course or reluctantly cheering for his beloved Arizona Cardinals.