Kathleen (Katie) Kerner is a partner in the firm, concentrating her practice on complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases. Katie actively works on the firm's metal-on-metal hip, Essure, Zofran, and testosterone litigations, among others. In recognition of her talents, the Maryland Association for Justice recently appointed Katie the Co-Chair of MAJ's first Product Liability Section. The Section will help members investigate and prosecute product liability and mass tort cases and improve consumer safety in Maryland.
The United States District Court for the District of Maryland appointed Katie to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee of the Smith & Nephew Orthopedic Hip Implant MultiDistrict Litigation (MDL). Katie also chairs the MDL's Initial Trial Committee that is responsible for the identification and selection of the first cases to proceed to trial. Katie's responsibilities extend to assisting in the litigation of the initial trial cases and negotiating discovery issues for the initial trial cases.
Katie also litigates the firm's personal injury cases in state and federal court. She has been recognized as a Maryland SuperLawyers® “œRising Star” and National Trial Lawyer Top 40 Under 40.
Katie received recognition from additional sources for her contributions in her field. SuperLawyers® named Katie to their 2020 and 2021 Maryland Rising Stars list, a prestigious distinction awarded to the top 5% of Maryland's young attorneys. In addition, The National Trial Lawyers selected Katie as one of Maryland Top 40 Under 40 trial lawyers in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Katie is an active member of the Federal Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ). She currently serves as the co-chair of the MAJ's New Lawyers Section.
Katie graduated in 2013 from the University of Baltimore School of Law (Magna Cum Laude) where she was Managing Editor of the school's Journal of Land and Development. During law school, she also worked as a student attorney for the Civil Advocacy Clinic where she advocated on behalf of disadvantaged clients in a variety of civil matters before courts and administrative agencies. These experiences helped foster Katie's passion for representing plaintiffs in a variety of civil cases.
