As part of her products liability practice, Karen represents manufactures and distributors of medical devices and pharmaceutical products. She has successfully represented Fortune 300 and 500 companies in both trial and arbitration, including obtaining favorable jury verdicts in multi-million dollar product liability claims. In addition, she has represented manufacturers in multi-district litigation and in state coordinated proceedings throughout the United States. Karen has also served as both national and local counsel in nationwide mass tort drug and device litigation in both state and federal courts. Her drug and device cases have involved pain pumps, dermal fillers, contact lens disinfecting solutions, circumcision clamps, ligation clips, laser sheaths, prosthetic devices (including knees and hips), intra-operative warming devices, lasers, and other surgical equipment. In addition, Karen has successfully defended toxic tort litigation and has represented the interests of international corporations, including those from Scotland, South Africa and Israel.
Karen loves to cook, specializing in fresh pasta with rosemary and lemon (or sometimes chocolate) which she learned while attending a world renowned two Michelin star cooking class in Tuscany, Italy. Karen also loves to hike with her family, including her husband, son and family dog, Golda.
Professional Memberships and Activities
· Los Angeles County Bar Association
· Beverly Hills Bar Association
· Defense Research Institute
· Los Angeles Litigation Association
Distinctions
· 2012 Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
· 2011 Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
· 2010 Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
· 2009 Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
Speeches and Publications
· Co-author: "Perspectives on Training and Monitoring a Pharmaceutical and/or Medical Device Sales Force"
· Speaker/Author: "Overview and Update - Reporting Requirements for Attorneys, Insurers and Self-Insureds Under the Medicare Recovery Act," DRI Annual Meeting
Articles
5/14/2009, Perspectives on Training and Monitoring a Pharmaceutical and/or Medical Device Sales Force
This article presents an overview of the potential areas of legal liability involving the sales force, and a framework for training sales representatives on legal issues, both to prevent lawsuits and to aid the company in successfully defending itself and its products in pending litigation.
Events
10/22/2010, Overview and Update - Reporting Requirements for Attorneys, Insurers and Self-Insureds Under the Medicare Recovery Act
MPP attorney Karen M. Firstenberg presented a session on this topic from 7:30 - 9:30AM on Friday, October 22 at the DRI 2010 Annual Meeting, held this year at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina.
Description: The Medicare Recovery Act now requires attorneys, insurers and self-insureds to report claims for which Medicare may have provided benefits to claimants. This act imposes financial penalties for noncompliance. This session will outline the reporting requirements under the act and will provide an update on how courts across the country have dealt with these requirements.