Hansary Laforest is a trial lawyer with over fourteen years of courtroom experience in state and federal court. Hans has litigated civil and commercial litigation matters across a variety of industries, including insurance, banking, healthcare, transportation, and real estate.

The scope of legal matters that Hans litigates ranges from insurance defense claims to complex contractual, employment, and professional liability disputes. With a degree in economics, he brings a strong business-focused perspective to his representation of clients in financially and professionally regulated industries.

Hans has achieved favorable outcomes for his clients in the courtroom. These successes include a defense verdict in a lawsuit alleging damages in excess of $1 million, an arbitration award finding no liability for a client sued as a third-party in a tort case, and an order granting summary judgment in favor of a client suing on a professional negligence dispute.

I offer my clients “peace of mind.” I do this with a systematic approach to their case. I gather the facts. I show my clients what the law is and what the evidence shows. Together we develop a selection of courtroom strategies that works for them.

My system has helped my clients achieve favorable results. These range successful verdicts and court decisions to beneficial settlements. More importantly, my approach offers clarity.

The law is complex. Sometimes, the facts are too. My disciplined approach can help make the issues clear and the solutions attainable.

  • Successfully defended a national security services company in a high-profile lawsuit claiming damages in excess of a million dollars, securing a defense verdict after a jury trial.
  • Successfully defended a medical transport company and driver against a third-party lawsuit in a vehicular accident case, obtaining an arbitration award in which the company and driver were found not liable.
  • Represents a regional bank in pursuing foreclosure actions on commercial loans throughout the state of Oregon and successfully obtaining settlements in those cases.
  • Successfully obtained a court order granting summary judgment in favor of a client real estate and development firm in a professional negligence action.

 

  • National Business Institute (2023), Oregon Civil Trial Skills 
  • OSB Civil Rights Virtual Public Forum (2021), The Fight Over Online Speech: The Events of January 6th, First Amendment, and the Future of Internet Speech, Moderator
  • OSB Civil Rights Committee Town Hall (2020), Racism in the Criminal Justice System, Moderator

Professional Affiliations

  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (OADC)
    • Member, 2020 to present
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (NARTC)
    • Member, 2019 to present
  • Oregon Chapter of the National Bar Association (OC-NBA)
    • Member, 2019 to present

Community Affiliations

  • Bend Chamber, Advocacy Council
    • Member, 2025
  • Multnomah Bar Association,
    • Board of Directors, 2022 to present
  • Hacienda Community Development Corporation
    • Board of Directors, 2020 to 2024

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Over the years, I’m proud to have developed a physically active lifestyle. I practiced martial arts when I was a child, beginning with karate when I was in grade school. After college, I resumed training in martial arts, this time training muay thai kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. I currently train at Go Hard MMA in Portland with a great group of instructors who remind me every training session that I have much to learn.

Additionally, I have rock climbed for a few years, both indoor and outdoor. While I’m only an amateur, my wife and I have done multi-pitch climbs in Oregon (First Kiss at Smith Rock) and Washington (Prime Rib in Mazamas).

Separate from the above activities, I engage in hiking and backpacking in the summer, as well as alpine touring during the winter months.

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