ADK adds former federal prosecutor Karen Escalante as counsel
ADK is delighted to announce that Karen Escalate has joined the firm as counsel.
Karen is a former federal prosecutor who handles complex commercial litigation, white collar defense, and internal investigations, with an emphasis on civil matters that contain criminal implications. She draws on her extensive experience in the public and private sectors—including eight years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office—to provide clients with informed, efficient, and strategic solutions to their legal challenges.
During her tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Major Frauds section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Karen investigated and prosecuted complex financial crimes including securities fraud, insider trading, wire fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, bankruptcy fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering. She has tried both bench and jury trials to verdict and has also briefed and argued multiple cases before the Ninth Circuit.
She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association and teaches trial advocacy at the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law.
“We are so excited to welcome Karen to the team,” ADK partner Christine Adams said. “She is a first-rate trial lawyer who can do it all: civil, criminal, regulatory, and appellate. Karen’s breadth of experience and insight into governmental decision-making will enable our clients to effectively address regulatory concerns, mitigate the impact of government action, and, most importantly, obtain the results they need.”
Karen commented, “I’m thrilled to join ADK. When deciding to return to private practice, I was looking to join a boutique with stellar attorneys capable of guiding clients through complex litigation matters. I was drawn to the skill of ADK’s attorneys, the collaborative environment, and their client roster. The firm’s reputation precedes it, and I’m honored to plant roots alongside such talented practitioners.”