Karen M Quinn

2 Canal's End Road, Suite 204A, Bristol, PA., 19007 - Email:  kquinn@kquinnlaw.com

Phone:  267-553-3900

 

Law Office of Karen M. Quinn                                                                       8/2016 – Present

 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DISABILITY HEARINGS.                      (09/1990 - Present)

Handle Social Security Disability Cases (more than 1000 cases during tenure). Prepared for and participated in formal hearings required by statute to be held under or in accordance with provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), codified in relevant part, in sections 553-559 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.).

Participate in Settlement Negotiations in Advance of Hearing cases | Prepare for Hearing | Participate in Trial of Cases: Determine the best approach for the case by analyzing facts of client’s case, including briefs, relevant work history, and application of the appropriate sections of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), “Blue Book,” and Grid Rules. Determine if a client’s circumstances meet or equal a listing for the Code of Federal Regulations by collecting medical evidence and results of consultative examinations performed by medical experts for the Social Security Administration and analyzing the medical information versus the appropriate sections of the CFR and “Blue Book.”

Prepare Pre-Trial Memorandum of Law, when requested for by a Judge by applying the facts and prior relevant work history and medical evidence to the appropriate sections of the CFR and “Blue Book” to determine if the matter can be favorably resolved at Step 3, and if not, conduct further analysis to see if the case can be favorably resolved at Step 5 per the CFR. Court often adopts these opinions of law. Secure evidence by issuing subpoenas pursuant to statutory authority.

 

Review and apply appropriate Social Security Administration Determinations in interpreting the CFR and application to the process based on the facts of the case. Prepare the client and any third-party witness for testimony. Present testimony to the Judge at the hearing. Interact with the Judge on the Judge’s questions as to the facts of the case and applications of the regulations to the cases.

Prepare for and cross-examine the vocational expert on their determination of the nature of the client’s past work history and the description of the exertional and skill level of any potential jobs vocational expert testifies that the client in a similar situation could potentially do. Cross-examine medical experts on their opinion on the nature, severity, and lasting nature of the client’s disability. Make opening and closing statements to the Judge. Provide additional evidence that will allow a favorable decision.

When warranted, file prepare and file a Brief to the Appeals Council based on the best grounds for appeal by reviewing the Judge’s decision against the facts, the medical evidence, and applicable statutes, CFR regulations, and case law.

 

ESTATE ADMINSTRATION                                                                               (09/1990 – Present)

Full Administration of Estates from the opening of the Estate to the final audit from the Department of Revenue.

 

REPRESENT CLIENTS FOR CONTESTED ESTATE ISSUES.                             (09/1990 - Present)

I have represented numerous client’s in contested Estate cases. Often there are issues that arise I an Estate Administration that require negotiation or in extreme cases litigation in Orphan’s Court.

 

Participate in Settlement Negotiations in Advance of Hearing Cases:  Review facts of case (including discrepancy and need for the hearing). Collect assets, determine debts to be paid, determine tax ramifications, prepare the inheritance tax return, prepare the Settlement Agreement, and file the agreement with the appropriate party. Secure evidence by issuing subpoenas pursuant to statutory authority.

 

REPRESENT CLIENT’S IN GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS                                           (09/1990 – Present)

I have represented many people who find themselves in need of securing a Guardianship Appointment in cases where a family member or friend has become incapacitated. The procedure requires counseling the client on both the process of becoming a Guardian as well as the financial requirements and reporting requirements once he is appointed Guardian.

 

LITIGATION EXPERIENCE                                                                                           (09/1990 – Present)

Cases in which a complaint was filed with a court, or a charging document (e.g., indictment or information) was issued by a court or a grand jury.

Research and Analyze Complex Litigation Issues:  Develop and apply expert knowledge in substantive and procedural law areas, including local, State and Federal rules of evidence, discovery, privilege, common and statutory tort law.

REPRESENT CLIENTS FOR CRIMINAL MATTERS, INCLUDING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI), CRIMINAL TRESSPASS, ASSAULTS, ABUSE, AND EMBEZZLEMENT.        (09/1990 - Present)

Take cases from inception to trial and after in front of Courts of Common Pleas.

 

Participate in Settlement or Plea Negotiations in Advance of Trial:  Negotiate settlements for clients covering criminal matters covering Pennsylvania law as the client’s sole representative. Review facts of case, briefs, state of case law and statutory law in the matter and apply that to the facts of the case. Determine if the case has parameters for settlement, the settlement parameters, and recommendations on what the client can and should accept as settlement for the matter.

 

Prepare for Trial | Participate in Trial of Cases: Position case for further litigation or trial when settlement is not feasible. Decide on the discover process, respond to discover, take and defend dispositions, prepare motions in limine, and prepare for trial (review briefs and prepare pre-trial memorandums, pre-trial witnesses, closing statements, proposed jury instructions, and verdict forms. Participate in pre-trial and trial conferences with the judge and opposing council on evidentiary rulings decisions covering the admissibility or dissolvability of evidence. Secure evidence by issuing subpoenas pursuant to statutory authority.

 

REPRESENT CLIENTS IN CONTESTED DOMESTIC RELATIONS MATTERS.          (09/1990 - Present)

Represent clients in contested domestic matter cases, including child custody, support, and equitable distribution of the marital estate, as their sole representative.

 

Participate in Settlement or Plea Negotiations in Advance of Trial: Negotiate pleas and settlements for clients covering domestic matters. Successfully settle matters by remaining aware of current law on case issues and how to apply facts to the case. Convince opposing counsel on the strength of the argument and weakness of the opposing opinion. Craft a solution all parties can accept after negotiation based the best possible settlement for represented client.

 

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Prepare for Trial | Participate in Trial of Cases: Position case for further litigation or trial when settlement is not feasible. Review facts of the case, briefs, the state of the case law and statutory law in the matter, and apply to the facts of the case. Decide on the discover process, respond to discover, take and defend dispositions, prepare motions in limine, and prepare for trial (prepare pre-trial memorandums, prepare pre-trial witnesses, closing statements, proposed jury instructions, and verdict forms. Participate in pre-trial and trial conferences with the judge and opposing council on evidentiary rulings decisions covering the admissibility or dissolvability of evidence. Secure evidence by issuing subpoenas pursuant to statutory authority.

 

Participate in Mediation: Represent clients in mediation as a first step in court. Provide client’s position and evidence and cross-examine the opposing side’s witness and evidence. Analyze financial materials for equitable distribution cases and provide analysis to the mediator. Negotiate with opposing counsel to try to resolve the case following mediator’s recommendation.

 

Participate in Appeals Related to the Types of Cases Above: File appeals for unsuccessful litigants with the case de novo before a Judge covering Pennsylvania Domestic Relations law and applicable case law. Handle case as a trial matter, including offering evidence, providing testimony, and cross-examining witnesses.

 

REAL ESTATE PRACTICE                                                                                           (09/1990 – Present)

 

I have represented numerous clients in various real estate matters. This area of practice can encompass something as simple as a residential real estate closing to a more complex Zoning Case. As Zoning Solicitor for Bristol Township for 20 years, I have developed a wide experience in many of the real estate issues that arise. Additionally, I have represented clients in matters involving a dispute with a Contractor or Homeowners Association.

 

Associate                                                                                                                          9/1990 – 7/2016

Stief, Gross & Sagoskin | 3 Friends Lane, 2nd Floor | Newtown, PA 18940

LICENSED ATTORNEY AND ASSOCIATE | GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND LITIGATION  PRACTICE: Established reputation for integrity and providing the highest quality representation in Bucks County, PA for more than 25 years in full-time practice. Concentrate in social security, domestic, criminal, real estate, and wills and estate matters for cases at the Federal, State, and local levels. Serve and/or have served as solicitor to several boards and authorities, including the Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board and the Bristol Township Authority, and labor counsel to the Bristol Township School District. Conduct cases on the record under procedures least as formal as those prescribed by sections 553 through 559 of title 5 of the United States Code.

 

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctorate (JD) | Drake University Law School | Des Moines, IA 53086 | 12/1988 | 3.85/4.0 GPA

  • Honors: Top 10% of Law School Class | Member of Drake Law Review | Published case note: Tyson v. Arizona 68 Drake Law Review 1148.

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Political Science | Pennsylvania State University | State College, PA 16801 | 5/1985

• High School Diploma | Pennsbury High School | Fairless Hills, PA 19040 | 06/1981

 

 

PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS

Solicitor, Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board 1991 – 2002 and 2007-2014

Solicitor, Bristol Township Industrial Authority 2003 – Present

Solicitor, Bristol Township Community Development Office 199 - Present

MEMBERSHIPS | AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association

• Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

• Member, American Bar Association

• Past President / Board Member, Bucks County Housing Group (1992 - 2003)

• Board Member, Lower Bucks YMCA (1991 - 2001)

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MEMBERSHIPS | AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association

• Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

• Member, American Bar Association

• Past President / Board Member, Bucks County Housing Group (1992 - 2003)

• Board Member, Lower Bucks YMCA (1991 - 2001)