Wilson Elser Expands Its Portland Office with New Legal Talent

In a significant step toward strengthening its presence in the Pacific Northwest, Wilson Elser, a prominent national law firm, has announced the addition of six attorneys to its Portland, Oregon office. This development underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its legal expertise and responding to growing client demands.

The New Team

The Portland office welcomes Peder Rigsby as a partner and John Carley as of counsel, along with four associates: David Schor, Mark Firmin, Makenzie Kaiser, and Sean McKean. All six attorneys bring a wealth of experience from a well-regarded regional litigation firm based in Portland, enriching Wilson Elser's capabilities in areas such as Complex Tort, General Casualty, and Commercial Litigation.

Peder Rigsby, who has joined as a partner, expressed enthusiasm about the firm’s reputation and resources. “Wilson Elser provides a national platform with name recognition. This is an exciting opportunity that will benefit Wilson Elser and my current clients,” he stated. Rigsby's practice focuses on defending businesses and individuals involved in complex casualty and commercial cases, particularly in Oregon and Washington.

John Carley brings his expertise in complex civil litigation, centering primarily on personal injury and wrongful death claims often tied to product or premises liability. His experience extends to construction defect cases and eminent domain matters.

Rapid Growth in Portland

Established in 2023, the Portland office has quickly gained recognition for its rapid growth. Earlier this summer, the firm added an eight-attorney lateral team specializing in insurance coverage and extra-contractual litigation, demonstrating its responsiveness to the increasing needs of clients. “I was honored to be asked to establish this office, and it’s rewarding to see how quickly it has grown,” commented George Pitcher, the office's Regional Managing Partner. “Client demand continues to rise, and we've responded by expanding our team with multiple rounds of lateral hires.”

This strategic expansion comes as a response to the legal challenges businesses and individuals face today, particularly in complex casualty and commercial matters. The addition of Rigsby, Carley, and their associates reflects Wilson Elser’s ongoing strategy to provide comprehensive legal support tailored to client needs.

Wilson Elser’s Esteemed Reputation

Wilson Elser is recognized as one of the leading defense litigation firms in the United States, with a track record of successfully managing over 100,000 cases across various jurisdictions. The firm is ranked 95 in the Am Law 100 and 36 in the National Law Journal's NLJ 500, attributes that speak to its strength and capabilities in handling intricate legal issues.

“The firm’s commitment to winning on our clients’ terms and rigorously adhering to their guidelines is central to our success,” the firm's leadership asserts. With an extensive network of over 1,300 attorneys, Wilson Elser continually seeks to meet the evolving needs of its clients while upholding its reputation for excellence.

Conclusion

With the addition of six talented attorneys in its Portland office, Wilson Elser is poised to enhance its service offerings in the region, positioning itself as a go-to firm for complex litigation and commercial legal inquiries. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Wilson Elser remains dedicated to supporting its clients with comprehensive solutions backed by a strong national platform.

For more information about Wilson Elser and its services, visit Wilson Elser.