Supreme Court permits statutory reduction of Three Strikes sentence that dissent calls an “endorse[ment] [of] legislative overreach”

Karen M. Bray

Partner
Los Angeles
kbray@horvitzlevy.com
818.995.0800

Clients and trial counsel often leverage Karen Bray’s proficiency in identifying and preserving issues for potential appellate review.

In that capacity, she has assisted trial counsel in a vast array of cases with summary judgment motions, motions in limine, jury instructions, trial briefs, verdict forms, and post-trial motions. She has also represented clients embroiled in complex appeals involving a variety of torts, Proposition 213’s bar against recovery of noneconomic damages by uninsured motorists, discovery sanctions, Proposition 51 and fault apportionment, punitive damages, breach of contract, insurance coverage and bad faith, default judgments, premises liability, and evolving law concerning the evidence admissible and the amount recoverable for medical expense damages. Clients also rely on Karen to provide candid assessments concerning the likelihood of securing relief on appeal, allowing them to realistically evaluate when settlement will be in their best interests.

Karen is a managing partner at the firm, where she has focused on appellate litigation and trial consulting since 2000. Prior to joining the firm, Karen was a Litigation Associate with Perkins Coie.

Credentials

Education

Clerkships

Bar Admissions

Professional Associations

Awards

Representative Matters

Abbassi v. UC Regents (2025)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment for The UC Regents in litigation alleging discrimination and harassment.

Waszczuk v. UC Regents (2023)

Horvitz & Levy successfully defendant a summary judgment entered in favor of the UC Regents against a vexatious litigant.

AlSayyad v. The Regents of The University of California (2023)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in favor of employer based on lack of evidence of discriminatory motive for employee’s three-year suspension.

Le v. The Regents of The University of California (2023)

California Court of Appeal affirms summary judgment in favor of employer based on absence of causal link between protected activity and alleged retaliatory act.

Davis v. Harano (2022)

California Court of Appeal affirms defense verdict in personal injury action, accepting Horvitz & Levy’s invited error and substantial evidence arguments.

Birden v. Regents of the University of California (2021)

California Court of Appeal reverses award of economic damages against Horvitz & Levy’s client in workplace discrimination and harassment action

Mann v. The Regents of the University of California (2021)

Court of Appeal affirms judgment on FEHA claims for the UC Regents, finding no error or prejudice in verdict form or jury instructions

Pinto v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (2021)

Court of Appeal holds that an insurer’s failure to accept a reasonable settlement demand is not per se unreasonable, disapproving a controversial model jury instruction

Hernandez v. First Student, Inc. (2019)

California Court of Appeal affirmed judgment allocating eighty percent of fault to the plaintiff who darted into the street on his bicycle

Rainwater v. Sergio’s El Ranchito, Inc. (2017)

Court of Appeal upholds summary judgment.

Cuevas v. Contra Costa County (2017)

California Court of Appeal requires retrial of future medical expense claim to permit evidence of Medicaid and Affordable Care Act benefits

Cann v. Stefanec (2013)

Court of Appeal holds that primary assumption of risk doctrine bars suit by college swimmer injured in weight room accident.

Tamas v. T.L. Pavlich Construction, Inc. (2013)

California Court of Appeal holds that jurors did not commit misconduct by using toy cars during deliberations to visualize auto accident.

Ibarra v. Carpinello (2011)

California Court of Appeal affirms dismissal of defamation lawsuit in high-profile MMA dispute.

In re Pineda (2011)

Horvitz & Levy petition to California Supreme Court results in reconsideration of ruling against abused minor.

Fire Insurance Exchange v. Superior Court (2010)

California Court of Appeal issues writ of mandate, directing trial court to grant summary judgment in favor of insurer in coverage dispute.

Publications