Professional Experience

Ms. Knudsen's practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including insurance coverage, class action lawsuits, health care, employment, securities and contract disputes.  In insurance coverage matters, Ms. Knudsen has represented numerous policyholders in coverage disputes.  She has litigated third-party coverage and bad faith claims arising under commercial general liability, property, fiduciary liability, employers' liability, and D&O and E&O policies.  Ms. Knudsen has also represented clients in FINRA arbitration.

Ms. Knudsen was a member of the trial team that obtained the nation's largest jury verdict in 2008 on behalf of client ICO Global Communications (Operations) LTD in the Los Angeles Superior Court. 

In addition to her litigation experience, Ms. Knudsen has successfully represented pro bono clients in connection with asylum and immigration matters.

Education

Harvard Law School, J.D., 2007.
Editor and Board Member, International Law Journal, Co-founding Member of the ILJ Digest.
Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., Political Science and French, with highest honors, 2004.

Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) - Diplômée du Programme International.  Mention bien (honors), 2002-2003.

Representative Matters

• Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. vs. ICO Global Communications (Operations) LTD.—LA Superior Court June 2008—Oct. 31, 2008.  Defended ICO in Declaratory Relief action filed by BSSI and prosecuted cross-claims for monetary damages for breach of contract, fraud and intentional interference with contract, all relating to the failed design, construction and launch of a telecommunication satellite constellation.  After a 3 month trial, the jury rendered verdict for ICO awarding $631 million in compensatory and punitive damages.  Recognized as the nation's largest jury verdict of 2008.
• Goldstein et al. v. Piper Jaffray Companies and Piper Jaffray and Co. - Obtained a judgment in FINRA arbitration on behalf of clients denied deferred compensation to which they were entitled as a result of the sale of their business unit. 
• Paskowitz v. Pacific Capital Bancorp, et al., 2009 WL 4911850 (C.D.Cal.).  Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in connection with a federal securities claim related to the adequacy of disclosures made in client Pacific Capital Bancorp's proxy statements.