Karen Keller

Shaw Keller’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner Karen Keller is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who helps clients navigate high-stakes intellectual property and complex commercial disputes. With a proven record before federal courts across the country and the U.S. International Trade Commission, she is known for leading litigation teams in mission-critical patent, trade secret, false advertising and copyright cases involving advanced technologies—from agricultural chemicals and biotechnology products to pharmaceuticals, analytical instrumentation, and networking systems. Chambers USA Women in Law highlighted her rising profile early in her career, naming her a finalist for its Up and Coming Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year Award.  She has been recognized by clients on IAM’s Patent 1000 as a “top-notch trial attorney who is smart, poised and thoughtful. She is a strong oral advocate with superb cross-examination skills and is a trusted adviser in Delaware.”  In 2018 she was recognized by BTI Consulting Group’s annual survey of general counsel in 2018 as “absolutely best at client service.” 

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Clients value Karen’s strategic judgment, courtroom presence, and ability to translate complex science into compelling advocacy. With a scientific foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology and hands-on research experience at GlaxoSmithKline, Karen brings rare technical fluency to the courtroom. Clients rely on her ability to see the angles, simplify the science, and drive cases toward decisive results.

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Before co-founding Shaw Keller LLP in 2011, she practiced at both an IP boutique and a leading Delaware law firm, building broad experience in intellectual property litigation as well as patent and trademark prosecution.

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Karen is also a leader in the broader legal community. She is a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Groups 1 on eDiscovery and 10 on Patent Litigation Best Practices and frequently participates as faculty at its national programs. She is a member of the District Court of Delaware’s Lawyer Advisory Committee and currently serves as a Special Master for the District Court.  As past President of the Delaware Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, she acted as a key liaison between the District of Delaware bench and bar. The court recognized her contributions with the Judge Caleb R. Layton, III Service Award.

Committed to public service, Karen maintains an active pro bono practice. She has secured trial victories in civil rights matters—including reinstating a jury’s original verdict on appeal—and has represented clients in family law matters and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and Immigration Appeals Board.

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Karen is an engaged Penn State alumna, having served on the Alumni Council and Executive Board of the Penn State Alumni Association. She serves on the Eberly College of Science Dean’s Advisory Board and previously served as co-chair of the Millenium Society. She also mentors students and prospective applicants through FastStart, LionLink Career Mentoring, and the Lions Roar Alumni Admissions Committee.

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Whether in courtroom battles or complex technology disputes, Karen is the trusted advocate clients call when they need an IP or commercial litigator who knows how to get results.