Kara A. Elgersma

Partner

“Outstanding lawyers should engage in the active, intelligent pursuit of justice. At WBE, we do.”

Kara’s experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation has helped the firm seek justice for clients across a wide spectrum of cases.

Kara’s proficiency includes all facets of complex commercial litigation.  In addition, she is well-versed in arbitration, including pre-hearing case development and management, as well as the conduct of full hearings. Kara has also become extensively involved in whistleblower-false claims litigation.

Kara has represented clients in litigation involving a wide range of claims and industries. As examples, she represented the City of Chicago in its efforts to recover from opioid manufacturers for the extensive damages they caused as a result of their improper marketing practices. Kara has represented classes of insurance agents in claims against insurance companies based on failures of the companies to properly treat those agents in accordance with their employment classifications.

Kara also represents whistleblowers in cases relating to Medicare Advantage, as well as in traditional health care fraud contexts.  She also represented both individuals and a class of  property owners whose properties were contaminated by PFAS as a result of companies’ improper handling of products containing those chemicals. Kara also handles cases involving allegations of antitrust violations based on the suppression of generic pharmaceutical entry.

Kara’s practice also includes seeking relief for consumers relating to diverse consumer products and services, including pet foods, baby food, infant formula, automobiles, chocolate, and banking services.

 

Current Cases

Opioids Marketing Multidistrict Litigation
Rockford Water Contamination Litigation
Walgreen’s False Claims Act Litigation
Revlimid & Thalomid Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
Actos Antitrust Litigation
Medicare Medicaid Advisors False Claims Litigation
Plum Baby Food Litigation

Recent Results

Rockford PFAS Water Contamination Litigation – Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee – Classwide Settlement

Opioids Marketing Multidistrict Litigation – Assistance in Resolution of City of Chicago’s Case against Multiple Manufacturers

Defeated Motion to Dismiss Class Action Complaint against Abbott Labs. Relating to the Risk of Heavy Metals in Infant Formula

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
Wisconsin Bar Association
The American Association for Justice
Chicago Bar Association

Charitable & Community Activities

Girls on the Run – Northern Virginia, Board Member (2007-2009)
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Volunteer
CVLS Distinguished Service Award, Recipient
LaFleur’s Academy of Gymnastics Booster Club, Vice President, President

Publications, Presentations, & Teachings

2014 ABA Annual Review of Antitrust Law Developments, Contributor
2013 ABA Annual Review of Antitrust Law Developments, Contributor
Competition Law360 Advisory Board Member
Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, Editor

Court Admissions

State of Illinois & State of Wisconsin
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, E.D. Wisconsin
U.S. District Court W.D. Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, E.D. Michigan
U.S. District Court W.D. Michigan
U.S. Courts of Appeal, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Circuits
Supreme Court of the United States

Academic Background

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2000
B.A., English and History, University of Kansas, Honors College, 1997