Karen E. Ross
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Karen Ross develops and executes targeted strategies to address our clients’ needs. Her ability to identify key issues, understand all sides of a matter, and appreciate clients’ interests allows her to achieve each client’s objectives in an efficient manner, while minimizing litigation risks.
As local and national counsel in premises, asbestos, silica, coal mine dust, and other toxic exposure litigation in Ohio and across the United States, Karen directs and contributes to national defense strategies, including motion and discovery practice and expert and fact witness development. She also works with healthcare providers and companies in other industries to provide litigation-avoidance counseling and representation. Her work requires an understanding of legal standards, expert issues, and defenses in numerous litigation areas. Karen employs her strong management and communication skills to provide quality and cost-controlled service to clients.
Before joining Tucker Ellis, Karen gained trial experience and honed her litigation and writing abilities as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor and Ninth District Court of Appeals staff attorney – skills that serve her well in representing clients in court, at deposition, and in motion practice.
Community service has been a part of Karen’s life since childhood. In addition to her work as a mock trial coach for John Hay High School students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, she serves on the boards of the Lakewood YMCA and the May Dugan Center.
Karen is a Northeast Ohio native who grew up spending winters cheering on the Cavs and summers traveling the Great Lakes. When not working or volunteering, she spends time with family and friends enjoying the amazing activities and parks that Greater Cleveland has to offer. She is also a dedicated parent to an adopted fur-baby – her cocker spaniel, Sadie.
- Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., 2001); Order of the Barristers; Dean Dunmore Distinguished Advocate Award; National Moot Court Team Captain
- Kenyon College (B.A., 1998)
- State Admissions
- Ohio, 2001
- Illinois, 2017
- Federal Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- Service Areas
- Mass Tort & Product Liability
- Life Sciences Litigation
- Appellate & Legal Issues
- Health & Life Sciences
- Industries Represented
- Automotive
- Consumer Products
- Hospitals
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Medical Professionals (Doctors & Nurses)
- Pharmaceutical & Medicine
- Safety Equipment
- Textile
- Secured a defense verdict for an asbestos glove manufacturer
- Obtained summary judgment and voluntary dismissals in several cases based on persuasive arguments and fact development
- Won an appeal to secure a new trial for individual, non-corporate clients that also vacated a damages verdict of over $1 million
- Successfully prosecuted a disciplinary case for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Publications
- “Introduction,” “Insight From the Inside,” and “Five Practical Tips for Successful Settlement Negotiations,” OACTA Quarterly Review (Autumn 2021)
- “11th Annual Update of Take-Home Asbestos Duty Decisions: 2020 Rulings Highlight Litigation Landscape,” Harris-Martin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (May 2021)
- “10th Annual Update of Take-Home Asbestos Duty Decisions: 2019 Rulings Highlight Litigation Landscape,” HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (March 2020)
- “5 Hard Phrases Lawyers Should Master,” Law360 (July 2019)
- “9th Annual Update of Take-Home Asbestos Duty Decisions: 2018 Rulings Highlight Litigation Landscape,” HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (March 2019), OACTA’s The Update (Summer 2019)
- “All Rise: An Afternoon with Judge Harry A. Hanna,” OACTA Quarterly Review (Winter 2019)
- “8th Annual Update of Take-Home Asbestos Duty Decisions: 2017 Rulings Highlight Litigation Landscape,” HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (March 2018), OACTA’s The Update (Spring 2018)
- “7th Annual Update of Take-Home Asbestos Duty Decisions: Significant 2016 Rulings Highlight Litigation Landscape,” HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (May 2017)
- “‘Take-Home’ Asbestos Claims Rulings by California and Georgia Supreme Courts Impact Claim Viability,” DRI’s The Voice (December 2016)
- “Take-Home Asbestos Claims: The Evolving Litigation Landscape – 6th Annual Jurisdictional Update,” HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (November 2015)
- “‘Take-Home’ Premises Liability Asbestos Exposure Claims – 2013 Update,” published in DRI Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Newsletter (January 2014), OACTA Update Newsletter (Spring 2014), and HarrisMartin’s COLUMNS-Asbestos (June 2014)
- “‘Take-Home’ Premises Liability Asbestos Exposure Claims – 2011 Update,” published in DRI Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Newsletter (2012) and OACTA Update Newsletter (2012)
- “‘Take-Home’ Premises Liability Asbestos Exposure Claims – 2010 Update,” published in DRI’s Toxic Torts Newsletter (Summer 2010)
- “‘Take-Home’ Premises Liability Asbestos Claims – 2009 Update,” published in Mealy’s Litigation Report; Asbestos (2009); DRI’s Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Newsletter (2009); OACTA Newsletter (2009)
- “Amendments to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules,” published in The Cleveland Bar Journal, Vol. 1 No. 7 (2008)
- “Lessons From the Court: Best Practices for the Eighth District Court of Appeals,” published in The Cleveland Bar Journal, Vol. 1 No. 5 (2008)
Speaking Engagements
- “How to Improve Your Work Life in a 24/7 Age,” Lunch & Learn live webinar, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (July 2020)
- “Help Me, Mediator: Creative Strategies for Getting to Resolution Sooner than Later,” ABCs of ADR: Best Practices Guide for Litigators & Neutrals, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio (October 2018)
- “When is a Lawyer Not a Lawyer? – Personal Conduct & Ethical Obligations,” Tucker Ellis Ohio Professional Conduct Program, Cleveland, Ohio (December 2015)
- “Diversity & Inclusion: Pipeline Diversity Programs,” presented at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (February 2013)
- “Standing Up In Court: Fundamentals of Handling Exhibits and Using Depositions In Court,” presented at the Federal Bar Association’s New Lawyer Training Program (August 2012)
Media
- “In Case You Missed It: Hottest Firms and Stories on Law360,” Law360 (December 2019)
- “Piece of the Rock” Award, May Dugan Center (2017)
- Ohio Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2009)
- Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
- Environmental Law/Toxic Tort Committee, Chair
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Ohio Mock Trial Judge
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan School District
- Mock Trial Coach, John Hay High School
- May Dugan Center
- Board Member
- Program Committee, Chair
- Lakewood Family YMCA, Board Member
