Shant Karnikian assumes leadership at Kabateck LLP

Kabateck LLP, the plaintiffs' law firm that has been involved in major mass tort litigation for the past several decades, is getting new leadership. Brian Kabateck, who built the law firm, said he had decided to turn over the reins to Shant A. Karnikian.

"I want to pursue causes and cases. I don't want to sit around managing a law firm all the time," Kabateck said in a phone interview from Hawaii, where he had just got off a jet ski.

Karnikian, who began his legal career as a law clerk at Kabateck LLP, has expertise in insurance bad faith and disaster litigation. He has served as trial counsel alongside Kabateck in six jury trials, all resulting in favorable verdicts, the law firm said. He also serves on the Board of Governors of Loyola Law School, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the executive committee of Los Angeles County Bar Association's Litigation Section.

Karnikian said in an interview that he wanted to grow the law firm's disaster litigation and insurance bad faith practice, "which kind of go hand-in-hand."

"That's something we've been known for and excelled at," he said, noting Brian Kabateck's work in the litigation resulting from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. "I think it is a way for us to have impact," he said.

Kabateck LLP has 15 attorneys in downtown Los Angeles. The law firm recently filed lawsuits on behalf of over 1,200 people against public entities responsible for failed flood control measures in the Central Valley and Monterey Bay. They also represent hundreds of Maui wildfire victims.

Karnikian said he planned to spend some time upgrading the technological tools the law firm uses in its operations and litigation.

"I'm kind of champing at the bit to do this," he said. "I have the energy to do it. We have a great group. I have a long history with all of them. And I think they trust me."