What's Happening at Hart Wagner

Sheryl Odems is a civil litigation attorney who defends medical professionals, hospitals, and clinics in medical malpractice and wrongful death actions.  Sheryl also assists medical professionals with other legal matters, such as licensing board investigations and non-party testimonial subpoenas in civil and criminal cases.

Zach maintains a diverse civil litigation practice, with a focus on complex employment matters, civil rights, professional liability defense, and appeals in Oregon state and federal courts.

Michael O’Neil’s law practice focuses on defending medical negligence lawsuits, assisting medical professionals in licensing board matters, defending construction defect claims, and general liability claims.

Michael received his BA in philosophy from Seattle University, his MA in philosophy from University College Dublin, and his law degree from the University of Oregon. While in law school, he clerked for the Honorable Ann Aiken in the Oregon District Court. Upon graduation, Michael worked as a post-graduate research fellow for the University of Oregon law school, as an Attorney Advisor at the District Court in Portland, and as an associate at a family law firm before coming to Hart Wagner.

Kim entered the legal profession in 1985 as a file clerk/runner with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.  In 1987 she received her paralegal degree and continued to work for the AG’s office for almost ten years. Kim has since worked primarily as an insurance defense paralegal and over the last few years has focused on medical malpractice defense.   In addition to her paralegal degree, Kim has earned a BA in Philosophy, a BS in Political Science and an MBA in Health Management.

Outside the office Kim enjoys playing golf, running, dragon boat teams, and getting acquainted with her new neighborhood in downtown Portland.

Heidi Leerssen began her career in law in 1998 and found her stride in personal injury and medical malpractice. With over 20 years of experience in this field, Heidi confidently conducts research, manages large volumes of discovery, and gets to know the case through working with clients and witnesses. Heidi has experience on both sides of civil litigation and in 2021, she brought her perspective from the plaintiff’s side to Hart Wagner. She currently works with Hart Wagner’s attorneys representing clients in medical malpractice litigation, healthcare, and business matters.

Outside of the office, Heidi likes to take advantage of the natural beauty that Central Oregon offers by paddle boarding, kayaking, or hiking the Cascades with family and friends. She also likes to stay fit teaching Jazzersize and loves traveling to Europe to visit her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoys being a new grandparent and spends as much time with her grandson as possible.

As a paralegal, Julie Freeman enjoys digging into the facts of a case. Before joining the legal field in 2012, she worked for many years as a writer and editor for magazines, newspapers and web sites—where she developed her love of research, attention for detail, and ability to ask good questions and analyze information. These skills have served her well as a litigation paralegal where she has gathered and organized records, conducted investigations, drafted chronologies and case reports, interviewed and prepared experts and witnesses and provided deposition and trial support.

Julie has worked in criminal and civil defense – helping manage cases from start to finish in both state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington. Her practice areas have included insurance defense, product liability, personal injury, employment law and now medical malpractice.

Julie is originally from California, but was raised in Oregon, and calls the state home after living at various times in the South and the Midwest. She enjoys hiking, road trips, reading, and movies and hopes to become a better cook and see more of the world in the years ahead.

Jason V. Cohen is a civil litigation attorney who defends medical professionals, hospitals, and clinics in medical malpractice and wrongful death actions across Oregon and Washington. Jason also assists medical professionals with other legal matters, such as licensing board investigations and non-party testimonial subpoenas in civil and criminal cases. Jason has been 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.