Michael J. "Mike" Wiswall

Michael Wiswall is a native Oregonian. He began his legal career at Hart Wagner LLP in 1994, and became a partner of the firm in 1999.

For nearly 20 years, Mike’s practice has primarily focused on defending medical malpractice lawsuits throughout the Northwest. Mike also assists hospitals and clinics with pre-litigation evaluations, as well as with their early disclosure and resolution programs. Mike frequently represents physicians, dentists, pharmacists and nurses before state licensing boards.

For the past several years, Mike has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Oregon Super Lawyers magazine. Mike regularly speaks to professional groups regarding risk management, disclosure of adverse medical events, medical malpractice and dental malpractice.

PRACTICE EMPHASIS

• Medical and dental malpractice defense in Oregon and Washington
• Representation of professionals before state licensing boards including OBM, OBN, OBD, OBP, and MQAC
• Early Disclosure and Resolution

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
• Oregon State Courts
• Washington State Courts
• U.S. District Court:
  - District of Oregon
  - Western District of Washington
EDUCATION
• University of Michigan Law School
  J.D., cum laude, 1993
• University of California at Santa Barbara
  B.A., economics, magna cum laude, 1990
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS/COMMITTEES
• Oregon State Bar
• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
• Multnomah Bar Association
• Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
• Oregon Medical Association (OMA) Loss Prevention Committee
• Oregon Society for Healthcare Risk Management (OSHRM)
RECENT JURY TRIALS
• Defense verdict for a general surgeon who transected the common bile duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• Defense verdict for an orthopedic spine surgeon who allegedly operated on the wrong level
• Defense verdict for an urologist in a claim for wrongful death following laser prostatectomy
• Numerous other trials successfully defending hospitals and health professionals, including those in the fields of OB/GYN, pediatrics, ENT, surgery, and others
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
• OHSU: “Transition to Residency: Professionalism, Ethics and Law” (multiple years, most recently 2014)
• OHSU Medical Students: “Demystifying Litigation” (2014)
• OMA: Risk Management Training, Basic and Advanced courses (2006, 2011-2014, Portland, Eugene, Corvallis)
• CNA: Dental Risk Management Seminar (2007, 2011)
• OHSU Otolaryngology Grand Rounds: “Litigation” (2011)
• OHSU: “DMV Mandatory Reporting” (2010)