Karen S. Frieman Partner

Karen S. Frieman began her career as an associate at Shea & Gould, where she became the firm’s youngest partner in 1993.

Ms. Frieman has over 20 years’ litigation experience representing clients in commercial, civil and intellectual property disputes in the accounting, apparel, insurance, media, real estate and many other sectors. She has also represented and advised high-profile individuals in matters of libel and defamation.

Ms. Frieman has appeared in the state and federal trial and appeals courts in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and other states. She has an active and very successful practice representing clients in high profile adversary proceedings in federal bankruptcy court. Ms. Frieman also handles arbitrations, administrative hearings and mediations.

  • Representation of bankrupt major international law firm, obtaining an order disallowing the entire $85 million proof of claim against it for legal malpractice in its entirety.
  • Representation of publicly traded apparel industry company which was the defendant in a breach of contract and trademark trial in federal court and proved plaintiff’s failure to demonstrate compensable damages.
  • Representation of producer of nationally syndicated radio talk show in intellectual property dispute against another talk show host who was making use of client’s name.
  • Representation of surety bond issuer in numerous litigations against insureds and contractors.
  • Representation of hotel in federal court coverage dispute with property insurer arising from roof collapse.
  • Representation of oil trading corporation in anti-trust suit.
  • Representation of “Big Eight” accounting firm in several accounting malpractice actions.
  • Representation of organization promoting horseback riding and polo in zoning dispute with Long Island town.
  • Representation of major oil producer in breach of contract and fraud suit brought by purchaser of oil.
  • Representation of landmark New York City landlord in disputes with tenants.
  • Representation of Ariel Sharon in landmark libel case against Time Magazine.

  • New York
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits
  • United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
  • United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
  • Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1984 Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
  • Barnard College, Columbia University, B.A., 1981, (magna cum laude), Phi Beta Kappa and with honors in history.
  • Duane Morris LLP
    • Special Counsel 1999-2008
  • Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard, LLP
    • Partner, 1994-1999
  • Shea & Gould
    • Partner, 1993-1994
    • Associate, 1984-1993
  • The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • Columbia Law School Moot Court Program, Volunteer Judge
  • Stephen Gaynor School
    • Treasurer, Parents’ Association
    • Chair, Annual Fund Raising Gala