News
May 04, 2018

Victory at the VA

Troy Bundy was successful in overturning a physician’s emergency suspension of privileges before the Vancouver VA. The VA claimed this physician was unsafe and represented an imminent threat to patient safety. In a unanimous ruling at the panel hearing, the physician’s privileges were immediately restored as the three member panel concluded the charges and allegations were unfounded and without merit.


Results
April 19, 2018

Partner Karen O’Kasey Obtains Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case

Partner Karen O’Kasey recently obtained a defense verdict in the United States District Court. Third-Party Plaintiff alleged that Hart Wagner’s doctor client was negligent in deciding to perform a laparoscopic surgery, rather than a laparotomy, then failing to convert the laparoscopic surgery to a laparotomy when no source of bleeding was initially found during the first evaluation. Hart Wagner presented expert defense witnesses who confirmed that Hart Wagner’s client met the standard of care in all aspects of the treatment and management of plaintiff’s care.


News
April 19, 2018

Partner Janet Schroer Secures Reversal for Hart Wagner Client in Appellate Court

Partner Janet Schroer recently won a decision in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversing the trial court’s ruling in a Section 1983 Civil Rights case. The trial court held that the City of Hillsboro police officers were not entitled to qualified immunity, and thus they needed to defend the Section 1983 claims of false arrest and malicious prosecution alleged against them. The 9th Circuit reversed, ruling that there was no established authority which would provide the officers notice of the alleged constitutional violation, therefore they were entitled to qualified immunity. Both of the attorney-fee-bearing federal claims were dismissed. Associate Mark Sherman worked with Janet on the briefing and Janet Schroer argued before the three-judge panel.


News
April 09, 2018

Hart Wagner Welcomes Associate Andrew Weiner to the Firm

Andrew WeinerAndrew Weiner comes to Hart Wagner after working as a criminal defense attorney specializing in white collar matters. He represented individuals and entities in both federal and state courts on matters ranging from simple theft to complex bank fraud and conspiracy. During that time, he developed his skills as a highly effective advocate for his clients.

Andrew earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Lewis & Clark Law School. While in law school, he served as associate editor for the Lewis & Clark Law Review, and earned an outstanding client advocacy award for his work with the Lewis & Clark Legal Clinic.

Andrew’s practice will focus on employment litigation and medical malpractice defense. He will also work on appellate law issues, as well as legal malpractice and other professional liability matters.

 


News
March 20, 2018

Associate Taylor Lewis Joins Hart Wagner

Taylor Lewis joins Hart Wagner after working for an employment defense firm where he reTaylor Lewispresented insurers and employers in workers’ compensation, OSHA, and employment matters. Taylor also served as a Special Prosecutor for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office where he represented the State of Oregon in various criminal trials and hearings.

Taylor’s practice will focus on commercial litigation, employment litigation, general tort liability litigation, and medical and legal malpractice defense.


Recognition
February 06, 2018

Partner John Hart Recognized as Lines for Life Silver Jubilee Honoree

Lines for LifeHart Wagner partner John Hart is a longtime supporter and Board member of Lines for Life, a regional non-profit organization dedicated to helping prevent substance abuse and suicide.  In celebration of their 25th anniversary, they have honored John as a Lines for Life Silver Jubilee Honoree.

Lines for Life helps individuals and communities in promoting mental health for everyone.  They offer crisis intervention services, including a 24-hour crisis line, as well as prevention services.  They also advocate to help shape public policy in the areas of substance abuse, suicide, mental wellness, and crisis.

To learn more about Lines for Life and the important work they do, please visit their website.


Results
January 29, 2018

Partner John Hart Successfully Defends Obstetrician in Medical Malpractice Suit

John Hart successfully defended a Multnomah County Circuit Court case involving a child who contracted herpes at birth. Plaintiff alleged that our Hart Wagner clients were negligent in failing to suspect herpes, failing to test the patient for HSV-2 given her signs and symptoms, and also in failing to communicate her findings to the patient’s regular treating Obstetrician. The baby was severely brain injured from HSV-2. Plaintiff requested recovery of $34,000,000 in economic damages together with $12,500,000 in noneconomic damages. After three weeks of trial, the jury came back with a unanimous defense verdict.


News
January 17, 2018

We Are Proud to Announce Michael G. Jacobs as Partner

Michael JacobsHart Wagner named Michael G. Jacobs as the firm’s newest partner.  Michael maintains a versatile practice focusing on general liability, products liability and medical malpractice defense.  With a proven track record of achieving positive results for his clients, he will be a great addition to Hart Wagner’s partnership.  He is a 2009 graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School who joined Hart Wagner in 2011 as an associate.  Congratulations, Michael!