About William
Biography
Bill Karns specializes in litigating major personal injury cases involving defective products, automobile accidents, and premises liability. He has also litigated cases involving breach of contract, fraud, and other "Business Torts."
He has been selected as a 2011 SuperLawyers Rising Star. He is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). Bill was elected to the CAALA Board of Governors as well as the Board of Directors for CAOC. Bill is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the Irish American Lawyers Association, the Italian American Lawyers Association, and the Justice Carlos Moreno Inn of Court.
Bill is actively involved in all of his professional memberships. He serves on CAALA's Education Committee and was the 2011 vice chair of the New Lawyers Committee. He is the 2012 CAALA Government Relations Chair responsible for electing pro-consumer candidates to public office. He also served as the Barristers liaison to the LACBA Litigation Section.
In 2010, Bill was appointed to LACBA's Judicial Election Evaluation Committee responsible for rating Superior Court Judges running for office. He is also on the Board of Governors for the Italian American Lawyers Association. Two of his articles have been published in CAALA's Advocate magazine.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bill graduated from the University of Southern California and received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-33%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 3 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2022
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 20 years
State: California
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Karns & Karns, LLP
800 W. 6th St, Ste. 800, Los Angeles, CA, 90017
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William Martin Karns's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Mario | February 25, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Worst service and value
if you can settle your case by yourself do it ! These lawyers suck !!! Their negotiating skills are the worst i dont recommend them .
Posted by anonymous | January 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Lawyer
Bill Karns handled my case like a master. My experience with him and his firm went above and beyond my expectations. Due to his keen knowledge of the law, exceptional work ethic and unrelenting dedication to my case, my suit was settled in an extremely positive and favorable manner. I am grateful ...
Posted by James | September 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Great experience, advice and customer service.
We hired K&K this year and were extremely happy with the results. Speaking with lawyers can be intimidating and confusing. Karns & Karns made the process very easy. They are a family run law firm and the difference is apparent. They have great customer service and did a great job explaining each step...
Posted by Greg | September 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Personal Injury
I hired Karns and Karns to help handle a personal injury case. Best decision I could have made in very difficult circumstances.
Posted by John | September 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Service and Comittment
Attorney had excellent knowledge about the possible outcomes of my case and he made sure we get the outcome we wanted (Thanks Bill!). There were quite a few hurdles but he made sure we got the results we discussed. it took little time but we are VERY satisfied.
William Martin Karns's Lawyer Endorsements
"Bill is not only a skilled and aggressive advocate but also an attorney who instantly connects with his clients. We have referred several clients with personal injury issues to K & K and they have all expressed to me how impressed they were with Bill and how satisfied they were with the results of their case."
"Mr. Karns has been a dedicated advocate of injured victims for the last decade. I have had the opportunity to work with him on a few matters. He is knowledgeable, professional, and caring. I strongly recommend Mr. Karns."
"Mr. Karns is an experienced and effective litigator. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Bill has been a great friend and a great mentor to me in the legal field. Really smart and hard working. I often turn to him for guidance on a variety of legal matter."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bill is a talented and excellent litigator. He exhibits impeccable professionalism and knowledge in his field."
"Bill is a quick thinking fast acting lawyer. Whenever I need a second opinion on a personal injury case, he's the man I call."
"I have known and watched Mr. Karns since he became a lawyer. I recently had the opportunity to see Mr. Karns in action during trial. I was blown away by his skills, and I see many, many lawyers in trial. This is a lawyer at the top of his game. I recommend him without hesitation."
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2026
Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers
2026
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2025
Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2012
Presidential Award, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
2012
NLD Chair Award of Merit, Consumer Attorneys of California
2012
Presidential Award of Merit, Consumer Attorneys of California
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Co-Founder, Karns & Karns, LLP
2012 - 2014
Partner, Cheong, Denove, Rowell, Bennett & Karns
2006 - 2011
Associate, Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett
2005 - 2006
Lawyer, Carroll, Kelly, Trotter, Franzen and McKenna
2003 - 2005
Law Clerk, Carroll, Kelly, Trotter, Franzen and McKenna
Associations
2020 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesBoard of Governors Emeritus
2017 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesMember
2008 - Present
Italian American Lawyers AssociationBoard of Governors
2006 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
2006 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
2012 - 2014
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesGovernment Relations Committee Chair
2011 - 2014
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaBoard of Directors
2010 - 2020
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesBoard of Governors
2010 - 2010
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesNew Lawyers Committee Vice Chai
2010 - 2010
Justice Carlos Moreno Inn of CourtAssociate
2010 - 2014
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaBoard of Governors
2010 - 2010
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationJudicial Elections Evaluation Committee
2009 - 2014
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesGovernment Relations Committee
2008 - 2010
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationBarristers Executive Committee
2008 - 2008
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationBarristers Liaison to the Litigation Section
2008 - 2014
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesEducation Committee
2006 - 2014
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationLitigation Section
2006 - 2014
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2014
Italian American Lawyers AssociationMember
2006 - 2015
American Association for JusticeMember
2006 - 2008
ABOTA Inn of CourtAssociate
2006 - 2014
Irish American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
$4,950,000.00 Settlement
Education
2005
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
Speaker on Expert Depositions
2013
Expert’s Panel
2012
Speaker on Expert Depositions
2012
Auto Panel Moderator
2012
Convention Co-Chair
2011
New Lawyers Panel (Injuries)
2011
Convention Co-Chair
2011
Guest Speaker on Summary of Law
2011
Speaker on Depositions
2010
Guest Speaker Series
2010
Negligence Panel
2010
Trial Skills for New Lawyers, Co-Moderator
2009
Guest Speaker Series
2009
Trial Skills for New Lawyers, Co-Moderator
2008
Inn of Court
Publications
2017
2015
2015
2014
2014
Languages
English
Spanish
Korean