Gordon “Gordy” Welborn is our managing partner. Gordy was born and raised in Oregon. He decided as a youngster that he intended to be his family’s first lawyer. Driven by the same passion that led to his many honors in athletics, Gordy worked his way through both his undergraduate and law school degrees. Gordy married his junior high school sweetheart while they were both in college and the two of them began a family while Gordy was in law school.
Gordy started his career as an active trial lawyer in 1987. He joined Hart Wagner in 1993, and became a partner in 1995. Based upon requests of our clients based in Central and Eastern Oregon, Gordy and his family moved to Redmond to open our office in 1998. Since that time, Gordy has earned the respect of judges, colleagues and opponents throughout Oregon and Washington as a litigator in a broad range of cases. Gordy’s extensive trial experience in high exposure litigation has led to his reputation as a lawyer to retain when losing isn’t an option. His compassion, persistence, and skill at quickly evaluating risks, developing strategy, and effectively representing his clients has caused him to be a highly requested lawyer for physicians, attorneys and other professionals facing litigation. His extensive and successful trial record has provided him with credibility among opposing counsel and judges which has created a foundation of integrity that has become invaluable to his clients.
Gordy continues to maintain a very active trial practice throughout Oregon and Washington, and works out of our Redmond and Portland offices. His practice focuses on the defense of professional claims including physicians, hospitals and health systems, lawyers, accountants, dentists, real estate professionals, architects and engineers, construction professionals, and property managers. In addition, Gordy has maintained an active practice involving claims of product liability, Board of Director claims, premises liability claims, automobile and trucking claims, governmental liability claims, trademark and copyright claims, real property disputes, general liability claims and business litigation.
Education
Lewis & Clark College
Northwestern School of Law
J.D., 1986
Portland State University
B.S., 1983
Southern Oregon State College
1979–1980
Clackamas High School
Graduated in 1979
Experience
Hart Wagner LLP
Partner, 1995 to present
Associate Attorney, 1993 – 1995
Moscato, Byerly & Skopil
Associate Attorney, 1992 – 1993
Safeco Insurance Company
Attorney, 1987 – 1992
Clackamas County Circuit Court
Judge Raymond Bagley
Judicial Clerk, 1985 – 1987
Admitted To Practice
Oregon State Courts
Washington State Courts
U.S. District Court: District of Oregon; District of Washington
Awards and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, 2014-2019
Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants, 2014-2019
Legal Malpractice Law: Defendants, 2012-2019
Professional Malpractice Law: Defendants, 2014-2019
Lawyer of the Year, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, 2015
Lawyer of the Year, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, 2013
Oregon Super Lawyers
Professional Liability: Defense, 2009 – 2018
Top 50 Lawyers, 2017-2018
Professional Activities and Associations
American College of Trial Lawyers, Elected as Fellow in 2012, Vice Chair of Oregon Committee
American Board of Trial Advocates, Elected in 2009, President of Oregon Chapter
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Past President 2015; Board of Directors, 2010-2015, Professional Liability Practice Group Member, Chair, and Board Liaison, 2007-2012
Defense Research Institute
J.R. Campbell American Inn of Court for Deschutes County, Past President
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Oregon Medical Association, Risk Management Speaker since 1995