In a career marked by professional relationships that are both lasting and durable, Karla Kraft is frequently asked to litigate types of matters she has not previously encountered. This is a testament, not just to the trust placed in her by long-term clients, but also to her comfort level in facing new challenges. As a consequence, she represents clients across a broad range of complex commercial litigation matters.

Much of Karla’s work focuses on defending employment litigation, including both single plaintiff cases and wage-and-hour class actions. But she also tries trade secret disputes for technology companies, and defends class action suits against large consumer product companies and financial services providers.

Clients credit Karla with an instinctive ability to balance the legal aspects of a lawsuit with the business considerations underlying them. She recognizes that the goals of each case are different, and that they don’t necessarily fit within a standard win-or-lose scenario. Accordingly, she works with clients to define objectives up front, so that she can properly gauge the range of strategies available to achieve them. This approach leads to business-smart resolutions and ensures that matters are conducted efficiently, with small teams and reasonable amounts of research.

Highlights of her career include:

  • She obtained a dismissal, with prejudice, of all claims against client Autoweb (formerly Autobytel)— a web-based automobile dealer — that had alleged fraud, negligence, and violation of a Florida advertising statue. The decision was upheld on appeal.
  • When a former high-ranking employee of an online content provider started a competing business using the company’s client list, Karla first obtained a temporary restraining order, then reclaimed all of the company’s intellectual property, wrapping up the case in a matter of months.
  • In a class action claiming that a publicly traded property management software provider had improperly collected tenant screening fees, Karla and her team won a voluntary dismissal of all claims.

Honors

  • Selected for inclusion in the 2019 and 2020 lists of Best Lawyers in America in the area of commercial litigation.
  • Selected, Southern California "Super Lawyer", 2015-2019; recognized in Super Lawyers' "Women's Edition" (a designation awarded to the top 5% of attorneys in California).
  • Selected as a "Southern California Rising Star,” Business Litigation by the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine and Law & Politics for four consecutive years (this designation is awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40).
  • Selected, "Top Attorney" by "Coast" magazine, 2015.
  • Named one of the top attorneys in Orange County by OC Metro Magazine, 2012-2015.
  • Recipient, Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award from the Orange County/Long Beach Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League for significant contributions to the community and the legal profession.
  • Recipient, USC's Widney Alumni House Award for exceptional service to the university.

Credentials

Education
  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D.
  • University of Southern California, B.A., journalism and international relations, magna cum laude
  • President and Board of Governors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Orange County
  • Board of Directors and Dinner Committee, Public Law Center
  • Dean's Executive Board, University of California, Irvine, School of Law
  • Executive Committee, Sonenshine Pro Bono Opportunities Reception
  • Past Member, Judiciary Committee, Orange County Bar Association (from 2013-2017)
  • Past Member, Board of Governors, USC Alumni Association (from 2011-2016)
  • Co-Chair, 2016 USC Women’s Conference and Honorary Co-Chair, 2018 Women's Conference
  • Co-Chair, Serious Fun, Human Options’ annual gala (2014)
  • Past Board of Directors Member, Camp Fire USA Orange County Council
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation (past team coach, high school mock trial competition (2004-2010)
  • Past President, USC Alumni Club of Newport and Irvine and past Chair, USC Orange County Regional Board
  • California
  • Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Central District, CA
  • Eastern District, CA
  • Northern District, CA
  • Southern District, CA
  • Eastern District, WA
  • Western District, WA