Karen M. Sullivan has dedicated more than 20 years to defending and managing high stakes litigation in California and the western states, including appearing and arguing in the vast majority of California state courthouses and federal courts throughout California. Karen’s defense of products liability litigation ranges from complex products liability and class actions to commercial, environmental, toxic tort, construction, employment, dietary supplement (MDL), food-related, Prop 65, and consumer products litigation.
- Summary judgment granted in 2022 in a breach of contract case pending in San Mateo Superior Court involving allegations of a waterproofing product failure (Case No. 20-CIV-01182) (see article in the Daily Journal, dated January 21, 2022).
- Summary judgment granted in 2019 in a toxic tort case pending in Los Angeles Superior Court on grounds of corporate/successor liability.
- Summary judgment granted in 2017 a construction case pending in San Diego Superior Court involving allegations of waterproofing product failure in complex high rise construction matter (Case No. 37-2013-00049168).
- Defense verdict in 6-week jury trial in 2013 in an environmental case pending in Fresno Superior Court involving allegations of exposure to carbon monoxide and diesel exhaust emissions (Case No. 09CEGG04550 (see Daily Journal as one of the top defense verdicts of the year).
- Summary judgment granted in 2013 on FHSA preemption grounds in products warning case involving allegations of brain injury pending in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. GC 048491).
- Summary judgment granted in 2013 in a products liability toxic tort matter on the grounds on lack of evidence of a causal connection pending in Orange County Superior Court (Case No. 30-2007-00031378).
- Summary adjudication granted in 2011 in a products liability toxic tort matter on the causes of action for breach of warranty, warnings, and punitive damages pending in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. BC416990).
- Summary judgment granted in 2009 in a products liability printing industry toxic tort matter on the grounds on lack of evidence of a causal connection pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.
- Granting of numerous demurrers, motions to strike and discovery motions in products liability case, including discovery motions in the ephedra litigation and demurrers in the products liability toxic tort litigation.
- Speaker, Environmental Litigation and Products Liability, CPCU, 2023
- Speaker, Environmental Litigation, Brain Injury, and Products Liability, CPCU 2022
- Speaker, Litigation Involving the Use of Hair Straighteners, Harris Martin National Conference, 2015
Admissions
- California (2002)
- New Mexico (2001)
- U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Memberships
- American Bar Association
Education
- J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2001
- Trial Advocacy Concentration
- Traynor Honor Society
- Honors Mock trial team
- Moot court finalist
- American Jurisprudence Award for highest grade in Civil Procedure
- Witkins Award for highest grade in Community Property
- Dean’s list
- Volunteered at the Community Legal Services
- Academic scholarship
- B.A., Political Science and Government, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997
- Sorority involvement in Panhellenic Delegate/Executive Committee for 2 years
- Intern for US Senator and US Congresswoman