What's Happening at Hart Wagner
- Attorney Aryn Seiler Joins Firm's General Liability and Healthcare Defense Practice
- Matt Kalmanson Named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”
- Karen O’Kasey Named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”
- Nine Hart Wagner Attorneys Named to the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®
- Congratulations to our 2025 Oregon Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
Attorney Aryn Seiler Joins Firm’s General Liability and Healthcare Defense Practice
We are pleased to welcome attorney Aryn Seiler to Hart Wagner’s general and professional liability defense team. Before joining the firm, Aryn practiced with both national and local insurance defense firms, where she developed strong litigation skills. She is admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico, and is an active member of the Gus J. Soloman American Inns of Court, Oregon Women Lawyers Association, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, the Multnomah Bar Association, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. We are excited to have her on Team HW!
Matt Kalmanson Named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”
We’re excited to share that appellate and litigation attorney Matt Kalmanson has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in both Bet-the-Company Litigation and Litigation – Health Care.
This honor is awarded to only one attorney per practice area in each metropolitan region, making it one of the most prestigious distinctions in the legal profession. Selection is based on outstanding peer-review ratings, reflecting the respect an attorney has earned from colleagues for their expertise, professionalism, and integrity.
In addition to being named “Lawyer of the Year,” Matt is also recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Health Care
For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence — and Matt’s recognition is a testament to his leadership, dedication, and impact in the legal community.
Please join us in congratulating Matt on this outstanding achievement!
Karen O’Kasey Named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year”
We are proud to announce that trial attorney Karen O’Kasey has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants.
This distinction is awarded to only one lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan region, making it one of the most prestigious honors in the legal profession. Recipients are selected through exceptional peer-review ratings, reflecting the highest levels of respect from fellow attorneys for their skill, professionalism, and integrity.
In addition to this honor, Karen O’Kasey is also included in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for the following practice areas:
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
- Legal Malpractice – Defendants
- Medical Malpractice – Defendants
- Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Since its founding in 1983, Best Lawyers has been recognized as the leading benchmark of legal excellence across the country.
Nine Hart Wagner Attorneys Named to the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®
We are proud to announce that nine Hart Wagner attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This recognition highlights their outstanding skill, dedication, and the respect they’ve earned from peers across the legal community.
Our 2026 Best Lawyers honorees include:
- Troy Bundy (recognized since 2012)
Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants - Clark (Chip) Horner (recognized since 2024)
Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants - Matt Kalmanson (recognized since 2016)
Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Health Care - Donna Lee (recognized since 2024)
Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants - Karen O’Kasey (recognized since 2012)
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants - Aaron Potter (recognized since 2019)
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants - Janet Schroer (recognized since 2003)
Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants - Joe Traylor (recognized since 2023)
Litigation – Construction, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants - Mike Wiswall (recognized since 2012)
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Health Care Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
About Best Lawyers®
For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded as the most reliable and unbiased source for legal referrals. Recognition is based entirely on peer review, with attorneys evaluated by colleagues for their professional excellence. Today, Best Lawyers publishes lists in over 75 countries, setting the gold standard for identifying top legal talent worldwide.
Please join us in congratulating our 2026 honorees!
Congratulations to our 2025 Oregon Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
Six individual Hart Wagner attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in their 2025 Oregon Super Lawyers® edition. The publication identifies the most outstanding attorneys in the state, as chosen by their peers and through the research of Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business. Notably, Janet Schroer was recognized for being among the Top 10 attorneys in Oregon. Additionally, Janet Schroer and Karen O’Kasey are included in the Top 25 women lawyers in Oregon.
The following Hart Wagner attorneys were recognized in these designated practice areas:
Troy Bundy – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Ruth Casby – Appellate
Matthew Kalmanson – Appellate
Karen O’Kasey – Employment Litigation: Defense
Janet Schroer – Appellate
Michael Wiswall – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Hart Wagner partners’ Taylor Lewis and Jason Cohen were selected to the 2025 Rising Stars® list and recognized in the Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense category. New to the 2025 Rising Star® list is partner Rachel Wolfard. Rachel was recognized in the practice area of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense category.
Attorney Troy Bundy Receives Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association
We’re pleased to announce that attorney Troy Bundy has been recognized by the Washington State Bar Association for contributing more than 50 hours of pro bono and public services during 2024. This service helps those with no place else to turn and advocating to improve the legal system. During 2024, Troy Bundy and over 1,000 legal professionals delivered over 84,000 hours of pro bono and public service to the state of Washington.
The Bend Office of Hart Wagner Expands with the Addition of Attorney Jess Kindley
We’re pleased to welcome attorney Jess Kindley to our Bend office. Jess will provide advice and counsel, and litigation defense for the firm’s healthcare and business clients. Jess is a member of Oregon Women Lawyers, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Deschutes County Bar Association, the Multnomah Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She earned her J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law and her B.S. from Oregon State University. Jess is admitted to practice here in Oregon. Welcome to the HW team, Jess!
Hart Wagner Adds Attorney Jerica Peters to Healthcare Practice
We’re pleased to add Jerica Peters to our medical malpractice defense and healthcare team. Jerica’s practice focuses on defending hospitals, medical clinics, and healthcare professionals in medical malpractice cases and assisting professionals in licensing board matters. Additionally, she has many years of experience in healthcare regulatory compliance issues. Jerica brings clients a diverse educational background and perspective having a Masters in Biochemistry and Genetics, an MBA in Finance and her JD. Jerica is admitted to practice in Oregon, Arizona and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Attorney Stephanie Holt Joins General Liability Defense Team
We’re pleased to announce that attorney Stephanie Holt has joined the firm’s general liability and wrongful death defense team. Prior to joining Hart Wagner, she worked as a Deputy District Attorney for Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, where she developed her skills as a trial attorney. She also has experience in plaintiff side civil litigation. Stephanie is admitted to practice in Oregon courts and is a member of the Multnomah Bar Association, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, and Oregon Women Lawyers. Stephanie received her JD from Willamette University, College of Law, where she was the recipient of the OWLS Vernellia R. Randall Bar Exam Grant.
Jason Cohen and Rachel Wolfard Named Partner
We’re pleased to announce that Jason Cohen and Rachel Wolfard have been named partner of the firm.
Jason’s litigation practice focuses on defending medical professionals, hospitals, and clinics in medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuits across Oregon and Washington. In 2024, Jason was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a peer reviewed designation that goes to no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state.
Rachel’s litigation practice focuses on defending health care professionals in medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuits in Oregon and Washington. Additionally, she defends various general liability actions arising out of premises liability and motor vehicle accidents.