Kristen Marquis Fritz

Kristen is a passionate advocate who challenges unfair and illegal business practices that hurt consumers and employees. She strongly believes in the class action mechanism as a powerful tool to effectuate justice on behalf of large numbers of individuals who have been harmed by the wrongful practices of large and small corporations.

In the area of consumer class action litigation, Kristen has significant experience litigating against manufacturers, insurance companies, and other entities that infringe upon the rights of consumers.  For example, Kristen was Class Counsel for multiple class actions against some of the nation’s largest insurance companies alleging bad faith settlement practices in the handling of asbestos claims.  She was personally and closely involved in creating and facilitating a settlement of those claims with a large group of defendants that (when finally approved) will result in the creation of a substantial Fund.  She was also counsel for multi-state class actions brought against automobile makers and component part manufacturers alleging defects in the door latches of certain vehicles.  In addition, she has represented a class of claimants in consumer protection and other claims against a major multi-national retail chain as a result of a breach of customers’ personal and financial information.  Also, she was Class Counsel in environmental class action involving claims of property damage.

In the area of employment litigation, Kristen litigates cases on behalf of employees that allege violations of state and federal laws.  Specifically, she currently represents classes and putative classes against various employers in actions seeking recovery of unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime wages, unpaid expenses, penalties for missed meal and rest breaks, and other damages and penalties.

Kristen has also represented individual personal injury and wrongful death plaintiffs involved in toxic tort and other matters.

Kristen has appellate experience in both federal and state courts in numerous jurisdictions. Specifically, she has worked on cases before appellate courts in the states of California, Massachusetts, Washington and West Virginia and also before the United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth and Ninth Circuits as well as the United States Supreme Court.  In addition, during law school, Kristen clerked for the Honorable Joseph Tauro of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

In addition to her active litigation practice, Kristen supports several organizations dedicated to serving the public interest, improving access to justice, and ensuring that the rights of all persons are protected.  She has also spoken, by invitation, before groups of attorneys regarding class action matters.