Karen Kimmey approaches business litigation with the perspective of an experienced trial lawyer, particularly in high-stakes matters. When a company’s future is at stake, she knows what matters and what doesn’t in a case, leading to effective and efficient resolution. Clients have praised her for her aggressive courtroom advocacy, coupled with sound judgment and a myopic focus on their business objectives.

With experience representing both large and small businesses, as well as individuals, Karen litigates a wide variety of commercial disputes, with particular emphasis on complex contract, fraud, unfair competition, and negligence claims. She also has significant experience in class actions and products liability matters.

Karen is frequently called upon to take over on matters from other law firms as they approach trial and require courtroom expertise. When it comes time to actually stand up in court and make a case, Karen has an unparalleled level of experience and skill, based on, first of all, many hours spent trying cases – both jury trials and arbitrations – usually as lead counsel.

Due in no small part to her theater and public speaking background, Karen tells a great story, in a fashion that makes complex concepts both clear and compelling. It’s not an exaggeration to say that she’s been presenting arguments for her entire adult life – she was a two-time national champion in persuasive speaking in college forensics and a moot court champion in law school. If advocacy is the heart of trial law, Karen has no equal.

Karen frequently speaks and writes about trial strategy and skills, often addressing the challenges that litigation poses for businesses. She authored the chapter “Opening Statements” in Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys published by the American Bar Association (2018) and was the editor of the chapter on jury selection in the CEB publication Civil Procedure During Trial (2022).

Karen's skill in business litigation in Northern California has been recognized repeatedly by Super Lawyers. She has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation law (2021-2022), and she recently received the prestigious California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year ("CLAY") award for her role as trial counsel in a precedent-setting antitrust class action against Sutter Health. 

Karen serves as general counsel to Farella and as chair of the firm's Business Litigation Group.