Amanda Karl

Amanda Karl

Partner

amk@classlawgroup.com
(510) 350-9243
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Amanda Karl represents consumers, employees and others who have been harmed by corporations. She has prosecuted a wide range of complex cases, including product defect, failure-to-warn, wage and hour, data breach, sexual assault, and securities cases, within a variety of industries. In 2024 she was honored as a Rising Star by Law360, a highly selective award that recognizes top attorneys under the age of 40.

In addition to her case achievements, Amanda is deeply committed to mentorship and expanding the pathway for plaintiffs’ lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds. She has supported many law school recruiting efforts, most recently playing a key role in the development and candidate selection process of the firm’s 1L Diversity Fellowship. For the firm’s new associates and summer associates, Amanda has helped conceptualize and oversee onboarding and training.

Amanda has also spearheaded the creation of Gibbs Law Group’s Voting Rights Task Force, which seeks to identify opportunities for both attorneys and staff to promote voter engagement and maximize voter participation. Under Amanda’s guidance, the firm has not only participated in voting rights litigation, but has also implemented several internal programs to promote involvement across the firm in protecting and expanding the right to vote.

Amanda is a 2014 graduate (Order of the Coif) of the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, where she served as the Managing Editor of the California Law Review and Director of the Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic. During law school, she worked as a Clinical Law Student at the East Bay Community Law Center, assisting with litigation targeting criminal record reporting violations, and as a law clerk at Equal Rights Advocates, working on women’s employment issues. Following graduation from law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard A. Paez, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and to the Honorable Claudia Wilken, Northern District of California. Amanda received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in Sociology and Human Rights from Columbia University in 2009.

Outside of work, Amanda serves on the Board of Directors of the East Bay Community Law Center, a legal nonprofit organization that is both the largest provider of free legal services in the East Bay Area and Berkeley Law’s largest clinical offering. She also enjoys reading, strength training, and exploring new places and foods with her husband and kids.

“Amanda was very relatable and built wonderful rapport.”

- Bridget S.

admissions
  • California
  • awards+

    Top Class Action Attorneys Under 40, Law360 Rising Stars, 2024

    Rising Star, Northern California Super Lawyers, 2018-2024

    education+
    • J.D., Order of the Coif, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley Law, 2014
    • B.A., magna cum laude, Columbia University, 2009
    memberships+
    • East Bay Community Law Center, Board Member, Pro Bono Chair
    • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
    • Consumer Attorneys of California, Former Board Member
    • American Association for Justice
    Presentations & Articles+

    The Impact & Implications of Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana

    CAOC Annual Convention

    November 18, 2022

    PAGA After the Viking River Decision

    Bridgeport

    July 15, 2022

    Rapid Response: Recent SCOTUS Ruling—Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana

    American Association for Justice

    June 27, 2022

    Rule 12 and Related Motions

    Pincus Federal Boot Camp

    May 24, 2022

    Looking Forward Post-COVID

    CAOC Sonoma Travel Seminar

    March 11-12, 2022

    Work Unseen: Successfully Effectuating a Damages Class Settlement

    Daily Journal

    November 11, 2021

    Unpacking Public Interest Law

    People's Parity Project

    April 14, 2021

    Wage and Hour Litigation & Enforcement Webinar

    HB Litigation

    February 18, 2020

    Epic Systems And The Erosion Of Federal Class Actions

    Law360 Expert Analysis

    July 5, 2018

    From Clerkship to Career in Public Interest

    Berkeley Consumer Advocacy and Protection Society

    October 23, 2017

    California Omissions Claims: Safety Required?

    Law360 Expert Analysis

    February 15, 2017

    Litigation Highlights

    A.B. v. Regents of the University of California

    Represented former patients of ex-UCLA OB-GYN Dr. James Heaps in a class action lawsuit alleging Title IX violations and sexual harassment against both Heaps and UCLA. Amanda was a key member of the team that achieved a $73 million dollar settlement, which will compensate over 5,500 women who received treatment from Dr. Heaps. Amanda was involved in nearly all aspects of the litigation, and, among other things, was the primary drafter of the final settlement approval brief; final settlement approval was granted on July 12, 2021.

    Pote v. Handy Technologies

    In prosecuting a case for alleged Labor Code violations, Amanda spearheaded briefing and argued before the California Court of Appeal that an order denying a motion to compel arbitration should be affirmed. The court ruled unanimously in Plaintiff’s favor, affirming the trial court’s ruling.

    GreenSky Litigation

    Represents consumers who took out loans for home maintenance repairs and were charged hidden fees by GreenSky, Inc. In addition to leading the firm’s day-to-day work on this case, Amanda spearheaded briefing and led oral arguments to defeat GreenSky's attempt to dismiss plaintiff's claims when GreenSky filed a motion for partial judgment on the pleadings.

    Shuman v. SquareTrade

    Appointed class counsel to represent consumers who were allegedly underpaid by SquareTrade in connection with their product protection plans. Amanda and the team achieved an uncapped settlement that made 100% reimbursement available to class members and also required SquareTrade to reform its business practices. Amanda and the team overcame three motions to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment, and a motion to compel arbitration. Amanda was personally involved with much of the briefing and spearheaded the firm’s offensive discovery efforts.

    Apple Unauthorized Data Use Class Action Lawsuit

    Represents iPhone users whose cellular data Apple allegedly consumed without users' knowledge or permission. Amanda oversees the firm's day-to-day litigation efforts in this matter.

    Deora v. NantHealth

    Represented a certified class of investors in litigation alleging multiple violations of federal securities laws related to the healthcare technology company’s initial public offering in 2016. Amanda was a member of the team that achieved a $16.5 million dollar settlement in favor of NantHealth investors.