Karen O'Kasey

Practice Areas

Karen O’Kasey is a trial attorney who defends employers and medical professionals in state and federal courts in Oregon and Washington. She has tried one hundred civil trials over her thirty-nine years of practice. She has successfully defended employers in all types of employment claims in federal and state court and has tried to defense verdict numerous medical negligence claims in Oregon and Washington.

Ms. O’Kasey has extensive experience defending municipalities against all types of tort claims, including 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims, First Amendment claims, and Americans with Disabilities Act claims.

Ms. O’Kasey is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. For the past fifteen years, she has been named one of the “Top 25” Women Lawyers in Oregon by Oregon Super Lawyers magazine. Karen was named Lawyer of the Year in Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants in 2026 by The Best Lawyers in America. She was also recognized multiple times as Lawyer of the Year for Legal Malpractice Law in 2015, 2017, 2023, and 2025. In addition, she was named Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law in 2025 by The Best Lawyers in America.

Career

Hart Wagner LLP

Partner, 2002 - present

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt

Partner, 1993 - 2002

Associate, 1987-1993

Professional Memberships

Oregon State Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section, Federal Practice and Procedure Committee, 2008 – 2010

Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Past Chair, Employment Law Subcommittee

American Bar Association, Past Chair, Torts and Insurance Practice Section, Employers’ Liability Subcommittee, National Institute Faculty, 1992, 1994

Work Highlights

Representative Cases:

Tamarie Richards v. Legacy Health, et al., Multnomah County Circuit Court (2024)

Represented urologist in a ten million dollar medical malpractice case where plaintiff claimed that the physician did not give informed consent in pelvic mesh case. Defense verdict.

Wyatt v. OHSU, Multnomah County Circuit Court (2024)

Eight million dollar medical malpractice claim against pediatric urologist. Defense verdict.

Ross v. The Oregon Zoo, Multnomah County Circuit Court (2022)

Wrongful death action against the Oregon Zoo. Plaintiff alleged that Zoo’s negligence resulted in death of concert-goer whose body was found in construction site within the Zoo after a concert. Defense verdict.

Stockton-Smith v. Mee, Marion County Circuit Court (2021)

Medical malpractice claim for wrongful death based on failure to diagnose asthma. Defense verdict.

Kirby v. OHSU, Multnomah County Circuit Court (2021)

Claim against Nursing School for failure to accommodate student’s disabilities under the federal Rehabilitation Act. Defense verdict.

Stryffeler v. Anesthesia Associates NW, Multnomah County Circuit Court (2019)

Thirty-eight million dollar medical malpractice claim against anesthesia provider and surgeon, alleging permanent, severe brain damage as a result of surgical complications. Defense verdict.

Hicks v. Les Schwab Tire Centers of Portland, Inc., United States District Court – Pendleton Division (2019)

Employment discrimination claim involving Americans with Disabilities Act Workers’ Compensation and retaliation claims. Defense verdict.

Gale v. Rebound Orthopedics, Clark County Superior Court (2019)

Medical malpractice claim against orthopedic surgeon alleging negligence in planning and performing a hip replacement surgery. Defense verdict.

Education

Awards