Kimberly S. Morris

Partner

San Francisco
T +1.415.659.2660
F +1.415.659.2601

Overview

Kim Morris focuses her practice on the representation of public and private corporations or board committees in connection with corporate compliance matters, regulatory investigation and enforcement actions, as well as in complex civil litigation. Kim has extensive experience in designing and conducting internal investigations relating to compliance breaches, securities and financial fraud, whistleblower allegations, employment matters and regulatory and audit inquiries. She also regularly represents witnesses, subjects and targets in connection with grand jury investigations in both state and federal criminal matters.

On the civil side, Kim advises clients in connection with complex commercial litigation including professional liability claims, civil fraud cases, and shareholder disputes. A diligent and efficient litigator, Kim works with her clients to navigate their issues, analyze ramifications, and find effective solutions that best fit the needs of her clients. She also serves as the Litigation Leader for BakerHostetler's San Francisco office.

Select Experience

  • Led the liability and damage estimation litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on behalf of 75,000 victims of the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires in connection with Baker’s representation of the Official Committee of Tort Claimants in PG&E’s historic bankruptcy which resulted in a $13.5 Billion settlement on behalf of wildfire victims.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for a board committee of a financial institution regarding fraudulent conduct by a bank manager and successfully referred the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office, leading to a bank fraud conviction and substantial restitution award for the financial institution.
  • Assisted a Fortune 200 company in obtaining auditor sign off of a cross-border investigation into employee accounting fraud.
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Experience

  • Led the liability and damage estimation litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on behalf of 75,000 victims of the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires in connection with Baker’s representation of the Official Committee of Tort Claimants in PG&E’s historic bankruptcy which resulted in a $13.5 Billion settlement on behalf of wildfire victims.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for a board committee of a financial institution regarding fraudulent conduct by a bank manager and successfully referred the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office, leading to a bank fraud conviction and substantial restitution award for the financial institution.
  • Assisted a Fortune 200 company in obtaining auditor sign off of a cross-border investigation into employee accounting fraud.
  • Negotiated favorable plea deal on behalf of client in criminal antitrust price fixing case.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for the board of a financial institution relating to alleged misconduct by the CEO.
  • Represented the directors of a failed bank’s holding corporation against breach of fiduciary duty claims brought derivatively by the shareholders of the corporation. In a parallel lawsuit, defended the same directors in an investigation by the FDIC relating to the bank’s failure.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for a public energy company relating to improper loans to the CEO.
  • Obtained a $30M settlement for a bankruptcy trustee in connection with a complex civil litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent transfer claims against multiple former officers and directors of a failed subprime mortgage lender.
  • Represented a target of a Fortune 500 company in a federal grand jury investigation and subsequent criminal prosecution relating to alleged Clean Water Act violations. After meeting with federal authorities, proposed charges against client were dropped.
  • Obtained a full record clearance for a CEO of a healthcare company in a multi-jurisdictional criminal prosecution involving insurance fraud violations.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for an audit committee of a lending institution following whistleblower allegations that the institution was violating fair lending laws.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for the audit committee of an agricultural lender relating to the largest reported internal fraud within the federal government’s Farm Credit System.
  • Successfully defended client against a claim filed for a share of a $600M estate and a $30M insurance policy that defended such claims.
  • Achieved a declination of prosecution for a target in a grand jury investigation into alleged misrepresentations on the accuracy of a medical device.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Division
  • San Francisco Bar Association
  • Women's White Collar Defense Association

Community

  • National Charity League: Member
  • MidWeeklies: Board Member

Pro Bono

  • Represent tenants facing eviction through the San Francisco Bar Association’s Justice and Diversity Center.
  • Part of team that represented death row inmate in appeal trial.

Emerging Issues

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • California
  • New York

Education

  • J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 2004
  • B.A., Fairfield University, 1999