Kristen M. Feden

Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky P.C.
Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky P.C.
1650 Market Street, One Liberty Place, 52nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 United States

Partner


Kristen is widely-regarded as one of the Nation’s leading litigators in the field of sexual abuse and civil rights.


Kristen M. Gibbons Feden has proven herself to be fearless when fighting for survivors against high-profile offenders and large institutions. Christened by the New York Times as “The Prosecutor Who Stared Down Bill Cosby,” Kristen is internationally recognized as a leading litigator in the #MeToo Movement. Nationally acclaimed as a fierce litigator, Kristen has represented numerous sexual abuse survivors in their pursuit of civil justice and received a multitude of awards for her tireless work with the most vulnerable survivors, many of whom were in their darkest moments when they sought her out.


PRACTICE AREAS

Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Civil Rights

Victims of Crimes


While her, now famous, closing argument in the second trial of Commonwealth v. William H. Cosby put her in the international spotlight, Kristen has always been dedicated to fighting for victims of sexual abuse both in and out of the courtroom. Kristen began her work with victims as a prosecutor in Montgomery County, where she served as Captain of the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Units and member of the Sex Crimes Unit. In that role, she successfully litigated scores of cases to verdict, including trials involving sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, and homicide. While a prosecutor, Kristen received multiple commendations for her courtroom successes and efforts on behalf of survivors. By taking many cases to trial that others would not, Kristen demonstrated her dedication to survivors, time and time again.


Everyone has the right to equal justice in the United States.


Kristen works tirelessly on behalf of her clients to achieve unmatched results, including:

$1M settlement against an educational institution for a sexual abuse survivor

$6.5M settlement against a retail commercial entity for a sexual abuse survivor

$6,500,000

$6.5M settlement against a retail commercial entity for a sexual abuse survivor

$1,000,000

$1M settlement against an educational institution for a sexual abuse survivor


Outside of the courtroom, Kristen provides a powerful voice for victims nationwide. Kristen uses her experience and training in law enforcement to passionately fight for people and groups who have suffered unfair discrimination by police or government. She is regularly called upon for expert commentary on high-profile matters by attorneys and international and national media outlets alike including CNN, CBS, ABC, Fox, NPR, and the BBC. Most recently, Kristen has offered commentary about the Derek Chauvin murder trial, for the death of George Floyd, one of the most important trials in our nation’s history.


Kristen has a rare mixture of compassion and killer instinct. A dream come true for her clients, a nightmare for the other side.


She has traveled internationally speaking out and fighting for changes in the law and in our societies’ understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence and the effects of sexual trauma on survivors. She has been recognized by numerous victim’s rights organizations around the country for this work.


Kristen is also a proud member of various Boards and Court Appointments, including being a Board Member of AEquitas, a national resource center for law enforcement investigating and prosecuting sex trafficking and other sex crimes; the Vice President of the Montgomery County’s Victim’s Services Center; and a Member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee. Her expertise is also frequently called upon by various advocacy groups to present and provide keynote speeches. Kristen is also an adjunct professor at the Temple University Beasley School of Law and occasionally teaches in the top-ranked Temple LL.M. program in Trial Advocacy.


Credentials

Admissions

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

New York

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court of New Jersey


Education

Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D.

Lafayette University, B.S.


Professional Organizations

Board Member and President of the Board, Victims Services Center of Norristown

Board Member, AEquitas

Fellow, British American Project

Diversity Committee, Montgomery County Bar Association

Women’s Ministry, Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2019 Class of Fellows

Montgomery County Bar Association

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Subcommittees: Bail Reform, Pretrial Procedures, Juvenile Expungement Procedures

Safer Streets Task Force

Member, National Crime Victims Bar Association

Board Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

Board Member, Pennsylvania Association of Justice

Member, Child USA Junior Council


Honors & Awards

Named one of the Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by National Women Trial Lawyers Association (NWTLA)

Included in The National Black Lawyers Top 100

Named by Peers to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List

Selected by The National Trial Lawyers as one of the top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers

Safe Homes of Orange County, Family Justice Center Award

Main Line Today, Women on the Move

National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Visionary Voice Award, Leadership Award

The American Lawyer, Litigator of the Week

The Legal Intelligencer, Lawyers on the Fast Track

Philadelphia Business Journal, Top 40 Under 40

Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Office Commendation; Montgomery Township Police Department, Unit Commendation

Upper Merion Police Department, Unit Commendation

Victim Rights Law Center, Leadership Award

Victim Services Center, Matty Muir Award

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star

Selected as Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award for the State of Pennsylvania for the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys

Selected as a Listee for the Marquis Who’s Who


Prior Work Experience

While in law school, Kristen was an editor for the Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review and a member of Temple’s nationally ranked National Trial Team, winning the Capitol City Championship. Kristen also received numerous awards and honors during her tenure at Temple Law, including the Barrister’s Award, Best Oral Advocate Award, and induction in the Rubin Public Interest Law Honor’s Society for her significant contributions to public service. Upon graduation, she received the Andrew Gay Award, for excellence in Trial Advocacy, and the Jacquelyn E. Davis Success Award, for her efforts and commitment towards public service. Kristen began her legal career as a law clerk for the Hon. Garrett D. Page, a judge in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Kristen then served as a prosecutor for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office where she was Captain of the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Units, and a member of the Sex Crimes Unit, and regularly obtained convictions in complex physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, homicide, child pornography, elder abuse, financial exploitation, aggravated assault, and other cases; often assisting young and vulnerable survivors, including survivors with intellectual disabilities and survivors of incest. Following her time at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Feden was an Associate with Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, a leading regional full-service law firm, where she handled general and complex litigation matters regarding institutional responses to sexual and gender-based harassment and abuse, ethical concerns, discrimination, Title IX violations, corporate regulatory compliance, and other misconduct.


Speaking Engagements

Montgomery County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – “Leading with Courage: Breaking Through Barriers and Persevering Through the Challenges”, March 2, 2023

PBI Webcast: Personal Injury Law Conference – “Personal Injury: Start to Finish – Investigations to Depositions”, October 20, 2022

Featured on Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky Hour Show

Presenter, “Falling Into the Credibility Gap: How Rape Myths Oppress Survivors of Abuse,” 25th Annual Domestic Violence Alliance presented by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation, October 14, 2022

Panelists, “Nuclear Verdicts: A Plaintiff’s Perspective”, September 9, 2022

Buffalo Seminary, September 28, 2022

Barristers, Panelist, “Jury Trial Techniques: Litigating a Jury Trial From Start to Finish for Success”

Presenter, “2021 Masters of Litigation,” Temple University Beasley School of Law, November 12, 2021

Presenter, “Unique Issues in Representing Victims of Abuse,” Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, October 19, 2021

Panelist, “Lessons for Civil Litigators from Cosby,” CLE, PADC, September 21, 2021

Podcast Guest, “Bill Cosby: Guilty but Free?” The Legal Level, Episode 58, August 17, 2021

Speaker, “Cosby: The Aftermath,” National Crime Victims Bar Association

Guest Lecturer, “Crime Survivors,” Course at Villanova Law School

Conference speaker, “Identifying & Handling Race, Gender & Other Prejudices in Cases,” Stetson Law 2021 Educating Advocacy Teachers (EATS) Conference

Moderator, “Health Issues & COVID-19: Impact on Women,” Victim Services Center

Panelist, “Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Representing Minority and Diverse Clients,” Pennsylvania Association of Justice

Keynote Speaker, “Personal Injury Potpourri,” Dispute Resolution Institute

Keynote Speaker, “#MeToo, Time’s Up Movements, and Creating a Non-Complicit Culture,” Jefferson Unity Day

Panelist, “Becoming: Strategies for Success for Diverse Attorneys and Their Allies” for the Pennsylvania Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division: “Becoming” Series

Panelist, Black History Month Fireside Talks – Diversity in Law

Distinguished Speaker, “Criminal Justice in the #MeToo Era: The Cosby Prosecution” for the Law & Society: Charleston Law Review

Keynote Speaker, “Fighting to be Fearless: Using your Strengths to Own the Courtroom” in the Trial Advocacy Consulting & Training – For Women By Women Virtual Trial Training 

Co-Presenter, “Pennsylvania Association of Justice – Measuring Damages in Civil Rights and Sexual Assault Cases”

Keynote Speaker, “Bring Cosby to Justice: The First Conviction in the #MeToo Era,” at the Krimes Against Kids Conference held by the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers

Presenter, “Discussing the Challenges of High-Profile Cases” at the Krimes Against Kids Conference held by the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers

Panelist, “Identifying Risk, Managing Trauma and Assessing your Legal Rights during this Pandemic: A Panel Discussion”

Speaker, “Prevention & Advocacy” with the Alabama Coalition Against Rape and Family Services of North Alabama.

Presenter, Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Assembly of Cities

Keynote Speaker, “Bringing Cosby to Justice: Investigating and Prosecuting High Profile and Cold Sexual Assault Cases,” Wisconsin Serving Victims of Crime Conference

Speaker, “Bring Cosby to Justice: The First Conviction in the #MeToo Era,” National Sexual Assault Conference

Speaker, “The Fearless Litigator: Navigating Media Attention on High- Profile Cases,” Law&Crime Network and the American Bar Association’s Media Training Program

Speaker, “A Story of Survival: Commonwealth v. Cosby, Leading with Courage, Breaking through Barriers and Persevering,” Shabtai: The Jewish Society of Yale University

Keynote Speaker and Presenter at the Northeast South Dakota Conference

Presenter, “Fireside Chat with Kristen Gibbons Feden,” Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 26th Annual Commission on Women in the Profession Conference

Faculty Presentation, “Closing Arguments,” Temple University Beasley School of Law LL.M. Program

Moderator, “Implicit Bias,” Montgomery County Bar Association

Keynote Speaker, “Moving Beyond: We All Have a Voice,” Lafayette College

Panelist, “Everyday Activism: Stepping Up and Showing Up,” for I Will Not Be Quiet

Keynote Speaker, “Leading with Courage, Breaking Through Barriers and Persevering,” Chamber of Commerce of Greater Montgomery County

Special Presenter, Minority Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association

Speaker, “The Ultimate Act of Power & Control: Overcoming Common Defenses in Domestic Violence Homicide Cases; Commonwealth v. Cosby – Bringing Cosby to Justice: The First Conviction in the #MeToo Era; and Seizing the Opportunity: Cross-Examination of the Defendant in Current & Cold Cases of Sexual Assault,” Crimes Against Women Conference

Panelist, “Bringing Cosby to Justice: The First Conviction in the #MeToo Era,” 10th Annual Criminal Law & Forensics Conference

Presenter, “Credibility in the Law: Handling Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Assault,” Greensboro Bar Association CLE Seminar

Panelist, “The #MeToo Movement’s Impact on Litigation, Counseling, and Training,” Philadelphia Bar Association CLE Program

Speaker, “How Society Considers Sexual Assault Cases,” Shabtai: The Jewish Society of Yale University

Panelist, “Managing Your Work and Life Balance Part II – How I Can be a Judge/Lawyer and Still Have a Life?” Montgomery Bar Association Women in Law Committee CLE Program

Speaker, “Prosecution of Bill Cosby and the Importance of His Case in the #MeToo Era,” Evercore Wealth Management Wise Women Event

Panelist, “Time’s Up. How to Create Non-Complicit and Zero Tolerance Culture,” S.H.E. Summit

Panelist, “How Race Matters in the Adversary Process,” Tucker Law Group CLE: Standing on the Shoulders: The Black Philadelphia Lawyer

Speaker, “Sexual Violence, Harassment and Prevention Tactics, and Techniques,” University of Pennsylvania Bloomers Comedy Alumni

Presenter, “Using Expert Witnesses,” Aequitas’ Expert Witness Testimony Training with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

Presenter, “The Global Child Abuse Epidemic with a Local Solution,” NALS of Pennsylvania 54th Annual Conference

Speaker, “Opening Remarks,” Laurel House 5K DASH Against Domestic Violence

Panelist, “Domestic Violence Town Hall,” Montgomery County Courthouse

Presenter, PBI presents “Persuasion Skills for Trial Success”

Presenter at the Inaugural Shades of Mass Conference, “Causality in Multi-Plaintiff (Sexual) Abuse Litigation”

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