Our firm is dedicated to representing adults, elders and children in matters involving injury, physical and sexual abuse and wrongful death. We invite you to learn more about our attorneys, our staff and the highly-qualified consulting experts who assist us on medical and technical issues. We are proud of our experience, our team approach and our accomplishments. 

Richard J. Vangelisti - Partner

Vangelisti Kocher LLP was founded by trial lawyer Richard Vangelisti to prevent injury and pursue justice for individuals and families who have suffered injury, loss or harm by the wrongdoing of others.

Mr. Vangelisti has represented clients in state and federal courts across the country. His trial experience includes personal injury and other civil matters. While the results obtained depend upon the facts of each case, Mr. Vangelisti has assisted clients in recovering millions of dollars, including more than $1 million in a personal injury case on behalf of a brain-injured child.

Mr. Vangelisti holds an AV Peer Review Rating, the highest rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell.  The AV Peer Review Rating, which identifies a lawyer with very high to preeminent legal ability, is a reflection of his expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence. 

After graduating from law school with high honors in 1995, Mr. Vangelisti served as a law clerk to federal chief trial judge Richard A. Schell for two years. Thereafter he worked for an international law firm and a national law firm for more than five years, representing large entities. He now puts this unique knowledge and experience to work for individuals, families and local businesses. 

For more information, view Richard Vangelisti's resume (in PDF format).

Scott F. Kocher - Partner

Mr. Kocher is a native Oregonian, and a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College. He worked as an attorney at Oregon's largest law firm from 2001 to 2006, when he became a partner of Vangelisti Kocher LLP. His law practice has included personal injury, employment, class actions and other complex civil litigation in state and federal courts.

Mr. Kocher is one of three attorneys included in the Oregon Super Lawyers 2008 Rising Stars list for plaintiff's personal injury work. This non-paid listing is based on evaluation of “peer recognition and professional achievement” by Law & Politics.

While the results obtained depend upon the facts of each case, Mr. Kocher has assisted clients in

• recovering more than $3 million in a single commercial case, and
• obtaining a jury verdict of more than $900,000 as lead trial counsel in a personal injury case.

Mr. Kocher serves as Chair-Elect of the Products Liability Section Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar.

Mr. Kocher has served on the board of directors of Chamber Music Northwest, and has donated more than $50,000 of pro bono legal services to low-income Oregonians. 

For more information, view Scott Kocher's resume (in PDF format).

Karilyn S. Pilkington - Senior Paralegal

Ms. Pilkington has supported trial teams for over eighteen years. She joined Vangelisti Kocher LLP in 2007 upon the retirement of a prominent Portland trial lawyer with whom she worked for over thirteen years. She brings unsurpassed case management and trial preparation experience to the firm. Her expertise includes a wide range of personal injury matters, and in particular cases involving sexual abuse and other injuries to children. Ms. Pilkington is a member of the Legal Staff section of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. She can be reached at 503-445-2104.

Jamie M. Telegin - Paralegal

Ms. Telegin holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a paralegal certificate from Portland Community College. She has worked with the firm and its attorneys since 2004. As co-chair of the Legal Staff Section of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Ms. Telegin works to build legal staff expertise statewide. She is highly experienced in obtaining and preserving evidence in personal injury cases, and in other aspects of fact investigation. Ms. Telegin is pleased to respond to inquiries from current and potential clients. Ms. Telegin's telephone number is 503-445-2103.

Consulting Experts

Vangelisti Kocher LLP consults with experts from many disciplines in an effort to understand and prove the medical and technical aspects of our cases. The firm is proud to consult with the following professionals as needed on a confidential basis:

Martin P. Hill, M.D. - Physical Injuries

Dr. Hill is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine with 32 years' experience in emergency care. He also has been the advising physician to the Josephine County EMS and ambulance service. He is licensed in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Mary W. Lu, M.D. - Psychological Injuries

Dr. Lu holds an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.D. from Stanford Medical School. She is Board Certified in Psychiatry, having completed her residency in psychiatry at Oregon Health & Sciences University. Dr. Lu helps our attorneys identify, evaluate and prove emotional and psychological injuries. These injuries may result from physical or sexual abuse or other trauma. Dr. Lu's current research and clinical work focus on treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Les V. Rainey - Licensed Private Investigator

Mr. Rainey is a tenacious investigator with extensive experience in personal injury cases, particularly cases involving injuries to children. He worked as a detective for the Eugene Police Department for 13 years in its Violent Crimes Unit. Mr. Rainey is knowledgeable in current forensic methods for recovery of physical evidence, and he is an effective interviewer of witnesses.

Jan Beenken, R.N. - Legal Nurse Consultant

Ms. Beenken is an expert in reviewing complex medical records for injury cases. Ms. Beenken worked primarily as an operating room nurse for more than 14 years. She earned her Certified Specialist status in Legal Nurse Consulting in 2005, and is a member of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.

Margaret Davis - Editor

Ms. Davis has more than 15 years' experience as a writer and editor. Along with writing and editing for several major newspapers and magazines, she served as a legal editor for a large law firm in the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Davis reviews the firm's written work product to ensure that it meets the firm's standards for excellence. She earned a degree in English and philosophy from Scripps College in Claremont, California.

Patricia Piazza - Professional Guardian and Conservator

When needed, Ms. Piazza serves as guardian or conservator for the child and
elder clients of Vangelisti Kocher LLP. In these roles, Ms. Piazza can
provide decision-making support, as well as financial management when a case
results in a monetary recovery. Ms. Piazza has been a partner in Farley,
Piazza and Associates since 1991. She holds a Bachelor degree in Business
Administration/Financial Law, and is a Registered National Guardian with the
National Guardians Association.

Note: The foregoing consulting experts are independent contractors of Vangelisti Kocher LLP. They do not provide patient care through the firm. 

Northwest Nursing Home Law Center

For information about the Northwest Nursing Home Law Center, a division of Vangelisti Kocher LLP, please see www.nwnursinghomelaw.com. This site also provides information related to finding a safe nursing home, preventing nursing home neglect and abuse, and, if necessary, retaining an attorney to review a nursing home abuse or neglect matter.

Contact

You may contact our firm with our confidential web form or by calling 503-445-2100 or toll free 1-800-800-1004. We do not charge for initial consultations.