Kelly L. Andersen - Andersen & Linthorst

Kelly is very happily married to Liz Andersen. He is the father of six children and four step-children, and is grandfather to eight grandchildren. He has lived in Southern Oregon since 1979. He loves hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain climbing, and the great outdoors. He is also an avid bicyclist and loves to read. He has been actively involved for many years in helping youth through the Boy Scouts of America programs. He loves to help people through the practice of law.

Kelly L. Andersen is a 1979 graduate of Brigham Young University School of Law at Provo, Utah. He has served as a trial attorney since that time. He has also received advanced training from the National College of Advocacy. Kelly is admitted to practice in both State and Federal Courts, and has served as lead counsel in cases originating in Oregon, California, Washington and Hawaii. He has also handled cases in the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and in the United States Court of Federal Claims, headquartered in Washington D.C.

Kelly is a member of the Oregon State Bar Association, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Jackson County Bar Association, has also served as past president of the Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association, and is a past president of the William V Deatherage American Inns of Court. He has authored numerous articles in legal publications, and has been a guest lecturer for seminars presented by Lorman, the Oregon State Bar Association, and the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association.

Awards

Kelly is a member of the National College of Advocacy (since 1992), the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (since 1997), and is senior counsel in the American College of Barristers (since 2001). He has had the highest ranking (A.V. Preeminent) with Martindale-Hubbell since 2003, and he was admitted to the Society of Outstanding Lawyers of America in 2004 and to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum in 2008 (when it was formed). He was named as an Oregon Super Lawyer (top 5% of all attorneys) by Law & Politics in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2011, he was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), which honors the top 1% of trial lawyers with a focus on civility and professionalism, and in 2022, he served as the President of the Oregon Chapter of ABOTA. In 2014, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) named him its Distinguished Trial Lawyer of the Year, he was listed in Best Lawyers in America, and was awarded the 2014 Litigator Award by the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents. In 2015 the firm was awarded a First Tier ranking for Best Law Firms in Oregon by US News & World Report. In 2017 he was honored to receive the Oregon New Lawyers Division Honorable John V. Acosta Professionalism Award.

Publications

Oregon Trial Lawyer, “How to Deal with Difficult Clients,” Winter 2018

Medford Mail Tribune, “My adventure: Cherished views on the climb up Mount Shasta,” July 21, 2017

Medford Mail Tribune, “Guest Opinion: Bill would restore justice for those injured by negligence,” April 23, 2017

Medford Mail Tribune, “The Mountain Now Lives Inside,” February 24, 2017

Medford Mail Tribune, “Preparing for a climb up 22,814-foot Aconcagua,” January 27, 2017

The Bencher: The Magazine for the American Inns of Court, “Ten Tips for Achieving Better Work-Life Balance,” November/December 2016

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “Creating Effective Visual Presentations: A Better Way,” May 2016

Trial Lawyer, “Presenting Evidence Visually,” Spring 2016

Medford Mail Tribune, “Scouting the Castle Crags,” November 2015

Trial Lawyer, “Taming the Lion – the Evidence Rule,” Fall 2014

Trial Lawyer, “Ten Tips for Dealing with the Difficult Client,” Summer 2013

Trial Lawyer, “Innovative Ways to Use Requests for Admissions,” Spring 2013

Oregon State Bar CLE Book on Torts, “Negligence: The Basic Elements,” 2012

Trial Lawyer, “Success with Positively Motivated Clients,” Winter 2011

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “If I were Young Again: Reflections on the First 30 Years,” January 2011

Trial Lawyer, “Keep Balance, Keys to Good Law Firm Economics” Summer 2009

Trial Lawyer, “Lessons Learned – What David Ball Can Teach Us,” Spring 2009

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association Newsletter, “What You Don’t Know You Don’t Know,” Winter 2006

Products Liability Newsletter, “Informal Focus Groups,” Winter 2004

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association Newsletter, “To Be Free,” April 2003, reprinted in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin, February/March 2004
View Publication

Oregon State Bar Product Liability Newsletter, “Filing in State or Federal Court,” Fall 2001, reprinted in the Oregon Law Journal, December 2001

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association Newsletter, “Sleeping When the Wind Blows,” Summer 2001, reprinted in Oregon State Bar Bulletin, January 2002
View Publication

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “Piloting Your Practice,” September 2001
View Publication

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Magazine, “Making a Difference: Persistence Prevails, Spousal Support Payment Secured,” Winter 2001

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “The Genie is Out of the Bottle,” February/March, 2000

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “Lincoln the Lawyer,” February/March, 1998, reprinted in the Clark Memorandum, Brigham Young University Law School Magazine, Fall 1998

Oregon State Bar Bulletin, “It’s Not So Bad,” June, 1992

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Magazine, “Beating the Statute of Limitations in a Products Liability Case,” October/December 1990

Presentations

WVD American Inns of Court, “The Ten Most Important Lessons I Have Learned in 39 Years of Practice,” Medford, Oregon, October 11, 2018

Multnomah Bar Association, “Four Vital iPad Apps for Use at Trial,” Portland, Oregon, June 13, 2017

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Academy 201, “Closing Argument, Verdict and Post-Trial Issues,” Portland, Oregon, March 8, 2017

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention, “Money, Money, Money: Ethical Issues,” Eagle Crest Resort, Oregon, August 13, 2016

Oregon Law Institute, “The Modern Trial: Cutting Edge Use of Visualization and Technology,” Portland, Oregon, April 29, 2016

WVD American Inns of Court, “From Haunted and Harried to Beauty and Bliss: How to Enhance and Ennoble the Practice of Law by Achieving and Work-Life Balance,” Medford, Oregon, April 14, 2016 (moderator)

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, “Use of Four Vital iPad Apps in the Courtroom,” Medford, Oregon, February 2, 2016

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention, “The Ten Most Important Things I Have Learned in 36 Years Practicing Law,” Sunriver, Oregon, August 15, 2015

Oregon Law Institute, “iPad for Legal Professionals,” Portland, Oregon, June 12, 2015

WVD American Inns of Court, “Using Focus Groups and Jury Consultants to Help Prepare for Trial,” Medford, Oregon, May 7, 2015

Jackson County Bar Association, “iPad Apps and Tips for the Courtroom, the Office, and on the Road,” Medford, Oregon, September 17, 2014

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, Acceptance Speech on Being Named 2014 Distinguished Trial Lawyer, Salishan Resort, August 16, 2014

Jackson County District Attorneys, “Effective Voir Dire and Opening Statements,” Medford, Oregon, May 30, 2014

Law Firm of Davis Rothwell Earle & Xochihua, PC, “Using the iPad at Trial,” Portland, Oregon, December 13, 2013

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Motor Vehicle CLE, “MIST at Trial: Voir Dire and Opening Statement,” Portland, Oregon, November 5, 2013

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Discovery CLE, “Requests for Admissions,” Portland, Oregon, April 12, 2013

Oregon Law Institute, “Effective Use of iPads in Medical Negligence Cases,” Portland, Oregon, December 2012

Multnomah Bar Association, “iPad Apps and Tips for the Courtroom, the Office, and on the Road,” Portland, Oregon, December 18, 2012

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Motor Vehicles All Star CLE, “Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims: Tips and Trips,” Portland, Oregon, November 16, 2012

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Litigator Lunch, Book Review, “Twelve Heroes, One Voice,” Portland, Oregon, October 24, 2012

WVD American Inns of Court, “Conquering the Challenges of Voir Dire,” Medford, Oregon, October 4, 2012

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Litigator Lunch, Book Review, “Now What Makes Juries Listen” Portland, Oregon, September 26, 2012

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association/Washington State Association for Justice Annual Convention, “Effective Use of iPads in Your Practice,” Suncadia, Washington, August 9, 2012

Southern Oregon University and Willamette University Chapters of the J. Rueben Clark Law Society’s, Literature and the Law Conference, “Showing the Story Using Words that Work,” Ashland, Oregon, June 22, 2012

WVD American Inns of Court CLE, “High-Tech Courtroom Presentation on a Low-Tech Budget,” Medford, Oregon, May 3, 2012

Multnomah Bar Association CLE, “High-Tech Courtroom Presentation on a Low-Tech Budget,” Portland, Oregon, February 28, 2012

Washington State Association for Justice & Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention, “Increasing Productivity in the Practice of Law,” Vancouver, BC, July 2010

Oregon State Bar CLE, “Evaluating the Wrongful Death Case,” Portland, Oregon, June 18, 2010

Oregon Trial Lawyer’s Association Annual Convention, “Time Management,” Bend, Oregon, August 2009

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association, “Differences in State and Federal Evidence Codes,” Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 2006

Lorman Education Seminars, “Fourteen Steps to Greater Productivity,” Eugene, Oregon, August 2004

Jackson County Bar Association, “Keeping Up With the Times: Presentation of Evidence in Electronic Form,” Medford, Oregon, October 2003

HIPAA: Privacy of Medical Records, “Disclosure of Medical Records and Pending Litigation,” Salem, Oregon, September 2003

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association, “Shepherding a Case in Federal Court,” Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 2001

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, “Discovery Issues in Civil Cases,” Sun River, Oregon, August 2001

Southern Oregon Federal Bar Association, “Choosing Between a State and Federal Forum in Civil Cases,” Medford, Oregon, Fall 1999

Honors

Kelly has been given the following honors:

In 1992 he was named a member of the National College of Advocacy.
In 1997 he was named a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
In 2001 he was ranked Senior Counsel by the American College of Barristers.
Since 2003, he has had the highest ranking (A.V. Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell.
In 2004 he was admitted to the Society of Outstanding Lawyers of America.
In 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, he has been named as an Oregon Super Lawyer (top 5% of all attorneys) by Law & Politics.
In 2008 he was admitted to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
In 2011 he was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization that honors the top 1% of trial lawyers and focuses on civility and professionalism.
In 2014 he was named “Distinguished Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
In 2014 he was listed in Best Lawyers in America and was awarded the 2014 Litigator Award by the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents.
In 2015 Andersen’s firm was awarded a First Tier ranking for Best Law Firms in Oregon by US News & World Report.
In 2017 he was given the Honorable John V. Acosta Professionalism Award by Oregon’s New Lawyer Division.
In 2017 he was chosen to serve on Oregon’s Council of Court Procedures, a body that crafts the Rules of Civil Procedure used by all attorneys throughout the state, and in 2024 he will serve as the Council’s chair.
In 2018 he was chosen by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to be one of four candidates to be interviewed in Washington, D.C. to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (he was not selected)
In 2023 he helped present the work of the Council of Court Procedures to the Oregon legislature.
In 2023 he was chosen to serve on a judicial screening committee to interview potential candidates for the U.S. District Court of Oregon.

Testimonials

The Kelly Andersen law firm sets the standard for others to meet. Their work as a team and not as individuals, coupled with selfless attention to details, complete trust in their client, and research, cannot be matched. Regardless of the outcome to the firm, their goal is always to achieve the greatest equitable result for the client. To say thanks does not come close to the appreciation for the work that they do.

Neil G. Client

Kelly Andersen litigated a highly complex case for me. After a 9 day trial, the jury awarded the full amount of the claim. I found Kelly to be an outstanding attorney. He is highly principled, loyal, honest, hard working, and completely dedicated to the law.

Mike R. Client

In Sept. 2018, our son was shot and killed. We retained Kelly Andersen and David Linthorst to represent us in a lawsuit.
These attorneys were a Godsend.

The trauma, grief and sadness we were going though was almost insurmountable. They were by our side every step of the way.

Kelly and David are experts in what they do. The best of the best. What happened to us, in the loss of our son, is one of the worst things that can happen to a parent. The case was settled out of court, in our favor, within a year of filing.

We cannot thank them enough for what they did for us. They were not only highly professional but were truly a source of comfort and advice. When I cried they were there with hugs and comfort and I thank them so much for this. We chose them as our attorneys because they came highly recommended by other professionals. We, in turn, recommend them as the best.

Thank you and many blessings to Andersen & Linthorst.

Vicki G. Client

I have worked with both Kelly Andersen and Faith Morse on behalf of my mother and my father on two separate occasions. I have nothing but utter respect and gratitude for them as human beings and as lawyers. They both were extremely compassionate during very rough times and very knowledgeable and capable at their job. I highly recommend them and am eternally grateful to have had their support.

Lori W. Client

I couldn't have been more please with how Kelly Anderson and his staff took care of my law suit. Every one was very supportive and very professional. I highly recommend them. They made it easy to understand the way things work. Also very responsive to my calls or question.

Diana R Client