Overview

Kate is a Partner and Co-Founder of the firm and a seasoned practitioner at the highest levels of private and federal practice. 

Prior to co-founding the firm, Kate was the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas. She was appointed by the President and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the top federal law enforcement officer in the District, overseeing all criminal and civil cases on behalf of the United States. In this role she led three offices and a staff of over 100 professionals. Kate supervised significant matters across public corruption, national security threats, Export Reform Act and sanctions violations, cybercrime, money laundering, sex trafficking, healthcare fraud, violent crime, civil rights violations, as well as False Claims Act and environmental matters. She also represented the District before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals obtaining significant appellate victories. Kate regularly interfaced with senior officials across the Justice Department on individual issues as well as national policy, while working with state and local partners on key DOJ initiatives. In addition, Kate served on the Attorney General’s White Collar and Investigations Subcommittee to advise the Attorney General on policy and practices in the area.

Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Kate was Director of an Innovative Prosecution Solutions grant from the U.S. DOJ and an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County, Missouri where she developed and implemented policy and programming to stem gun violence in the urban core. She also led motion practice in special actions including before the Missouri Supreme Court. 

Before her government service, Kate was a litigation associate at two Am Law 100 firms in New York where she worked on a broad range of complex litigation matters including FCPA investigations, First Amendment issues for internet companies, and securities and accounting fraud litigation. Kate was part of a team representing a major U.S.-based financial entity in a criminal investigation concerning manipulation of foreign exchange markets. She also defended a major investment bank in residential mortgage-backed securities lawsuits with claims totaling $19 billion across multiple state and federal districts. 

Kate holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, as well as a M.A.R. from the Yale Divinity School. She received her B.A. from Stanford University. Kate is a fifth generation Kansan. 

Selected Speaking Engagements

Remarks on Money-Laundering Trends in the District of Kansas, Anti-Money Laundering Conference, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; Kansas City, MO (May 2023 and May 2024)

“Federal Crime Priorities in Wichita” Presentation for the Wichita Crime Commission; Wichita, KS (April 2024)

Remarks on BJA Programs in the District of Kansas, Bureau of Justice Assistance Criminal Justice Workforce Convening, Wichita, KS (April 2024) 

Remarks on Organized Crime Trends in the District of Kansas, Gang Investigator’s Conference, Wichita, KS (February 2024)

Keynote Address, Kansas Women’s Attorney Association Conference; Lindsborg, KS (July 2023)

“Federal Law Enforcement in the District of Kansas,” Presentation for Topeka Bar Association; Topeka, KS (September 2023)

Remarks on Working With Child Victims, 17th National Drug Endangered Children Conference , Kansas City, MO (August 2023) 

Remarks on Human Trafficking Law Enforcement in the District of Kansas, Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Human Trafficking Symposium, Kansas City, MO (August 2023)

Remarks on Federal and Local Law Enforcement Partnerships, Lenexa Motorcycle Gang Training, Lenexa, KS (August 2023)

Remarks on Federal and Local Law Enforcement Partnerships, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Star Casino Convention Center, Mulvane, KS (May 2023)

“Enhancing Community Trust,” Presentation for Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence, Community Outreach Pop-up; New York, NY (January 2021)

Publications

Neighborhood Accountability Boards: A Case Study on the Promise and Limitations of Prosecutor-Led Reform, Stanford Journal of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, February 2021 (16 Stan. J. C.R. & C.L. 421 (2021))

Bars and Courts

Missouri  State Bar

New York  State Bar

U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York 

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit