Overview
Kat is a partner in the firm’s Transportation, Insurance, and Product Section Practice Group. An experienced trial lawyer in state and federal courts across the southern U.S., her practice focuses primarily on product liability litigation, with an emphasis on defending recreational vehicle manufacturers and distributors against claims of complex defect allegations, including those involving recalled products.
In addition to her experience with recreational vehicles, Kat manages a diverse array of product liability, personal injury, and commercial litigation cases involving motorcycles, off-road vehicles, motorhomes, automobiles, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, and medical devices.
Additionally, Kat clerked for the Honorable Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and routinely handles appellate matters.
Experience
- Defense verdict for a Canadian recreational vehicle manufacturer in a product liability jury trial in the Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville) where the plaintiff claimed an alleged defect in the parking brake of his 3-wheel motorcycle caused him injury. Kat first-chaired the trial.
- Lead counsel in a damages-only jury trial in the Southern District of Mississippi, Eastern Division (Hattiesburg) defending an insurance company in an uninsured motorist case. The plaintiffs asked the jury for $5 million dollars and were awarded only $37,500. Kat handled the appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Verdict affirmed.
- Defense verdict for a Japanese recreational vehicle manufacturer in a five-week product liability jury trial in the Southern District of Mississippi, Northern Division (Jackson) where the plaintiff claimed a purported defect in the front brake of his motorcycle caused him injury. Kat heavily participated in the appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where the defense verdict was affirmed. Further, the District Court awarded the defendant over $38,000 in post-judgment costs, and Kat successfully lead the appellate team against the plaintiffs’ efforts to reverse or reduce the cost award. Kat has been a key member of the trial teams defending this company in several other product liability jury trials across the country over the past six years.
- Defense verdict in a wage-and-hour dispute on behalf of a private correctional institution in the Northern District of Mississippi, Greenville Division. The trial took two weeks and involved eleven plaintiffs.
- Directed verdict in favor of the defense in an election contest challenging the results of the general election for the office of mayor in the Circuit Court of Leflore County, Mississippi. Kat also participated in successfully defending the sitting mayor in the appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Honors & Recognitions
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America®: “Ones to Watch” Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (since 2021) and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (since 2021)