Karen has extensive experience in commercial insurance litigation, focusing on commercial general liability insurance, directors and officers liability insurance, satellite insurance, business interruption insurance, and reinsurance. In the general liability area, she has represented insurers in coverage litigation involving lead paint, benzene, tobacco, pollution, commercial and residential piping, and asbestos. In the D&O context, she represents insurers in litigation involving insurance coverage and bankruptcy issues. She also has represented insurers in multi-state market-conduct class actions involving alleged deceptive trade practices.
In addition, Karen has worked on various pro bono matters successfully representing numerous applicants in obtaining political asylum and acting as counsel for the State Bar of California in character investigation hearings.
Representative Experience
Currently serving as national coordinating counsel in multi-state litigation involving coverage for public nuisance actions by governmental entities seeking abatement of lead paint.
Successfully represented, before the Court of Appeals of Ohio, First District, two insurers in a case involving the "sudden and accidental" pollution exclusion and regulatory estoppel.
Successfully represented a defendant in the landmark case, Liggett Group, Inc. v. ACE Property & Cas. Ins. Co., defeating the tobacco industry's efforts to obtain insurance under advertising liability coverage.
As trial counsel for a major national insurer, obtained a successful verdict in a multi-billion dollar coverage dispute between Shell Oil Company and its 250 insurers regarding environmental liabilities.
Obtained favorable decisions in litigation involving coverage under directors and officers liability insurance.
Served as national coordinating counsel for insurer in connection with environmental claims.
Publications
"Pleading Scienter under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act," PLUS Journal (February 2003).
Other Distinctions
Achieved an AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP, 2009 - present
Partner, Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP, 1999 - 2008
Partner, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP, 1992 - 1999
Associate, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP, 1985 - 1992
Law Clerk/Attorney, U.S. State Department, Office of International Claims and Investment Disputes, Office of the Legal Adviser, 1983 - 1985
Memberships
· American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section and Litigation Section
· Professional Liability Underwriting Society