About Karen

Karen O’Kasey’s trial practice focuses on defending employers and medical professionals in state and federal courts in both Oregon and Washington. She has represented employers in all types of employment discrimination claims brought in federal and state court. In addition to defending private employers, Ms. O’Kasey has extensive experience defending municipalities against all types of tort claims, including Section 1983 claims, First Amendment claims, and public accommodation claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. O’Kasey’s medical negligence practice focuses primarily on defending medical professionals involved in pharmaceutical or medical device litigation. PRACTICE EMPHASIS Employment Defense Medical Malpractice Defense PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND SPEECHES Trial Skills Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 18th Annual Litigation Institute, 2011 Oregon Pleadings and Parties: Tips and Traps for the Unwary Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 2010 OEC 104 In The Wake of Marcum v. Adventist Health Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention, 2009 Trial Advocacy in Action Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 16th Annual Litigation Institute, 2009 Trial Evidence in Employment and Civil Rights Cases Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 2007 Discovery and Punitive Damages Motions Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 2007 Practical Considerations in Using Expert Witnesses Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 12th Annual Litigation Institute, 2005 Powerful Motion Practice-Discovery Motions Oregon State Bar CLE Program, 2004 Oregon Civil Pleading and Practice, Chapter on Interpleader Oregon State Bar Publication, 1998 Oregon Damages, Chapter on Damages in Admiralty Oregon State Bar Publication, 1990, 1992, 1995 An In-Depth Look at Title I of the ADA Oregon State Bar Americans with Disabilities Act CLE Program, 1996, 1997 Dentist Benefits Insurance Company Risk Management Instructor, 1994 – 2002

Practice Areas

Education

• Santa Clara University, J.D., graduated 1986
• San Francisco State University, B.A., graduated 1983

Bar Admissions

• Oregon, United States
• Washington, United States

Languages