Free Consultation: (651) 406-9665
Free Consultation (651) 406-9665

Education:

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D. 2008); University of Wisconsin (B.A., 2005).

Affiliations:

Kara is admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Kara is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the International Woman’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). In 2013, Kara helped found and was co-chair of the Minnesota chapter of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC).

Practice Areas:

Bankruptcy, Creditors’ Rights and Litigation.

CLES AND PRESENTATIONS:

Elements and Defenses to Claw Back Claims Under Sections 547, 548, 549 and MUVTA, Minnesota State Bar Association CLE, July 2019

Sharpening the Tools in Your Mediation Toolkit, ABI Winter Leadership Conference, December 2018

Kara has successfully litigated preference and fraudulent transfer matters in multiple jurisdictions, including the Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Delaware, Southern District of New York, Southern District of Texas, and the Southern District of Indiana. In 2022, Kara obtained a judgment in excess of $3.5 million in a preference trial. Representative matters include the prosecution of avoidance actions in large bankruptcies such as Dean Foods Company, Sears Holdings Corporation, Quebecor World (USA), WP Steel Venture LLC, NewPage Corporation, RS Legacy Corporation fka RadioShack, and hhgregg, Inc.

A Wisconsin native, Kara earned her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School and holds a BA in Political Science and Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining ASK LLP, Kara was a law clerk to the Honorable Casey Christian and Honorable Joseph Bueltel in the Third Judicial District of Minnesota. Before her judicial clerkship, Kara clerked for the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General.

Kara lives in Eagan with her husband, Joe, who leads ASK LLP’s personal injury practice. The majority of her free time is spent chasing after their two young daughters. She is also a passionate advocate for fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Publications

Other Publications, May 15, 2015
Are Attorneys’ Fees Incurred in Defending Preference Action Recoverable Against the Estate? One Court Says “Yes”

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Edward Neiger

Co-Managing Partner

Edward oversees ASK LLP’s bankruptcy, Mass Tort and Personal Injury divisions.

Joseph Steinfeld

Co-Managing Partner

Joe is responsible for the overall management of the firm as well as the principal for ASK LLP’s St. Paul office. He also heads up the bankruptcy practice group, is involved in the most significant client assignments, and oversees the transactional activities of the firm.

Nicholas C. Brown

Partner

A Partner at ASK LLP, Nick represents trustees and creditors in avoidance actions and other bankruptcy and insolvency matters.

Joseph Casteel

Partner

Joseph has extensive experience as a trial attorney. He leads ASK’s single-event Personal Injury practice, focusing on maximizing his client’s recoveries in actions arising out of motor vehicle collisions.

Jennifer A. Christian

Partner

Jennifer A. Christian is a Partner at ASK LLP. Jennifer’s practice focuses on representing indenture trustees, secured and unsecured creditors (including trade creditors), asset purchasers, liquidating trustees, and other major constituencies in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases and other proceedings.

Tessa Cuneo

Associate

Tessa is an associate at ASK LLP, devoting her practice to representing individuals across the country who have been injured by defective products and medical devices, as well as survivors of sexual assault and trafficking. Tessa is a persistent advocate committed to giving a voice to those who have been wrongfully injured by another’s negligence.

Anastasia Kazmina

Associate

Anastasia Kazmina is an Associate at ASK LLP. Anastasia represents trustees and debtors in possession in preference analysis and litigation of avoidance actions.

Brigette G. McGrath

Partner

Brigette is a partner in ASK’s corporate bankruptcy practice. She represents debtors, creditors, and estate fiduciaries in bankruptcy and insolvency matters throughout the US.

Richard J. “Jay” Reding

Partner

Richard is a Partner at ASK LLP. Jay represents trustees, debtors-in-possession, and creditors in preference analysis and litigation of avoidance actions in bankruptcy, including appellate proceedings.

Alexandra W. Robertson

Partner

Alex is an attorney with ASK LLP’s Complex Litigation Mass Torts department. Alex represents clients in mass tort litigation, protecting the rights of individuals injured by defective drugs, medical devices and products, as well as survivors of sexual assault.

Judie A. Saunders

Partner

Judie A. Saunders, Esq. has more than twenty years of litigation experience with a unique focus on representing adult and child survivors of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse in both criminal and civil court. Judie has represented and counseled numerous high-profile clients who were survivors of abuse and sexual harassment, including an Olympian, NCAA Division I student athletes and elite level gymnasts. Judie has extensive knowledge representing clients from investigation to verdict.

David Stern

Associate

David Stern is an associate at ASK LLP. David represents clients in mass tort litigation. David passionately advocates for justice for individuals who have been wronged by powerful organizations. Prior to joining ASK LLP, David was an associate at a law firm specializing in Federal Employers’ Liability Act and Federal Railway Labor Act litigation.

Marianna Udem

Partner

Marianna Udem is a Partner at ASK LLP. Marianna’s practice focuses on representing chapter 11 debtors, official committees of unsecured creditors, estate fiduciaries and individual constituents in bankruptcy proceedings, related litigation and out of court restructurings.

Gary D. Underdahl

Partner

Gary is a Partner at ASK LLP. Gary has been representing trustees, creditors’ committees and debtors in possession in preference analysis and litigation of avoidance actions for over fifteen years.