OverviewKatie practices in the areas of trial, complex commercial, product liability defense, health law, and government relations. She has experience with high-stakes commercial litigation, appeals, legal and regulatory compliance, and mass-tort litigation. Katie has represented clients from a broad range of industries, including healthcare, construction, financial, pharmaceutical, medical device, and automotive. Katie is an advocate for clients in the courtroom as well as before legislative and regulatory bodies. Katie has first-chair and solo trial experience in state and federal courts and has successfully argued cases on appeal. She has extensive litigation experience, including taking and defending hundreds of depositions, arguing numerous dispositive motions, and handling all aspects of trial. She also has experience drafting legislation and rules, testifying before legislative committees, and achieving policy goals before the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress. Prior to joining Michael Best, Katie served as special counsel at Duane Morris. She also previously served as judicial law clerk to Justice George C. Hanks, Jr., of the Texas First Court of Appeals, and as a policy attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas. ExperienceKatie has represented clients in the following matters:
- Served as national counsel for Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon in mass tort multidistrict litigation regarding surgical mesh, including allegations of design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn, handling hundreds of cases nationwide.
- Represented multiple hospital systems in multimillion-dollar disputes with multiple insurance companies involving long-term reimbursement dispute regarding payments for laboratory services and ambulatory surgical services.
- Served as pro bono outside counsel to Texas Access to Justice Commission, an organization created under the Supreme Court of Texas.
- Served as Texas counsel to national remodeling construction company, handling various breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, RCLA (Residential Construction Liability Act) claims, and collection of nonpayment.
- Represented auto insurance company in complex indemnity dispute against claims handler involving allegation of bad faith failure to settle claim.
- Represented financial institution in joint venture dispute regarding crypto currency product.
- Represented independent laboratory in court proceedings related to reimbursement dispute involving a major national health insurance company.
- Represented out-of-state mail-order specialty pharmacy in licensure issue before Texas Board of Pharmacy.
- Represented ambulatory surgical center provider in Harris County state court reimbursement dispute against a major national health insurance company..
- Represented the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee in pursuit of large estate claims against health insurance company related to claims reimbursement disputes.
- Successfully defended numerous defamation claims, achieving immediate dismissal with Anti-SLAPP motions.
- Represented local business in premises liability dispute, including successfully obtaining no-evidence summary judgment and defending judgment on appeal.
- Represented various auto manufacturers in crashworthiness product liability suits across the state of Texas.
- Represented various major pharmaceutical companies in national mass tort litigation.
Honors & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers® "Ones to Watch" in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Government Relations Practice, 2021–Present
- Texas Young Lawyers Association President’s Award of Merit, 2020-2021
Professional Activities
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Texas Access to Justice Commission
- Rule Change Working Group, 2022-present
- Commissioner, 2022-2023
- Member, Texas Young Lawyers Association
- Director – District 8, 2018-2023
- Board Member, Austin Young Lawyers Association
- President, 2017-2018
- President-Elect, 2015-2016
- Treasurer, 2014-2015
- Secretary, 2013-2014
- Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Member, Defense Research Institute
- Texas State Membership Chair, 2017-2021
- Product Liability Steering Committee Member, 2019-2021
- Young Lawyers Steering Committee Member, 2015-2020
- Drug and Medical Device Steering Committee Member, 2015-2017
- Trial Tactics Steering Committee Member, 2014-2016
- State and Local Defense Organization Co-Chair, 2015-2016
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Public Affairs Committee, 2012-2013
- Member, Texas Young Lawyers Association Liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission, 2022-present
- Member, Leadership SBOT
- Member of Leadership Class, 2011-2012
- Texas Access to Justice Project, 2011-2012
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
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