Focus Areas
Examples of Karen’s experience include:
- Representing a manufacturer and distributor of chlorinated chemicals used in dry cleaning and manufacturing.
- Obtaining dismissal on behalf of multiple chlorinated chemical manufacturers and distributors prior to trial in the Central District of the Los Angeles Superior Court in personal injury cases involving exposures to products claimed to contain toxic chemicals.
- Serving as national counsel to a contact lens solution manufacturer for a product recall.
- Obtaining dismissal of personal injury claims for a swimming pool manufacturer in a case in which a minor became paraplegic after diving into a pool.
- Obtaining summary judgment for a manufacturer of chlorinated solvents in personal injury claims in the Central District of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
- Serving as national counsel for a surgical robot manufacturing company and representing it in state and district courts in cases involving product liability claims arising from personal injury lawsuits.
- Working with clients on submissions to the FDA for PMA and 510(K) applications.
- Advising on warnings and instructions for use to be submitted and approved by the FDA.
- “From Litigation Trends to Mitigating Strategies: Examining the Impact of PFAS on Your Business”
- Listed in The Legal 500 for Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2024
- Selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2013-2019
Professional Associations
- Defense Research Institute (DRI): Product Liability Committee; Litigation Committee; Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee
- American Conference Institute: PFAS Regulation; Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
Community Activities
- Holocaust Survivor Reparations Project, pro bono legal services
- Aviva Family and Children Services, pro bono services
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 2002,
Internet Law Journal, chief managing editor
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, M.A., 1999
- The Ohio State University, B.A., 1995, cum laude
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Languages
- Hebrew
- Thompson Hine Grows West Coast Presence with First-Chair Product Liability Partner Karen Firstenberg in Los Angeles,
Thompson Hine LLP
, July 23, 2025