Karl A. Schweitzer
Karl Schweitzer represents clients in all types of complex business litigation and investigations, including disputes involving trade secrets, business competition, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, business torts, copyright, and False Claims Act investigations and litigation. Karl also litigates and advises clients on complex fiduciary matters, involving trusts, wills, probate/estate disputes, and disputes involving closely held businesses. He handles all phases of litigation and represents clients across a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, financial services, medical device, pharmaceutical, consumer product, and publishing.
Karl maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising non-profit entities dealing with litigation issues.
- Obtained complete summary judgment victory on behalf of an international defense contractor in a $2 billion trade secret and breach of contract dispute
- Served as lead counsel to an international defense contractor in breach of contract and unfair business practices suit in federal court, obtaining dismissal of breach of contract claims and voluntary dismissal of unfair business practices and civil conspiracy claims
- Represented individuals and family offices in connection with complex trust administration, estate administration, and intrafamily business disputes
- Obtained summary judgment victory on behalf of national trust company in certified class action pending in federal court
- Resolved False Claims Act allegations against an international defense contractor with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Served as counsel to a major medical device company in a $25 million post-stock purchase agreement dispute in the US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, obtaining complete victory on motion to dismiss and unanimous affirmance by the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Defended a software company in a dispute in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, obtaining complete victory at the motion to dismiss stage, which was subsequently affirmed by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of international publishing company in copyright infringement suits in federal court
- Represented a racetrack in a breach of contract and bad faith action regarding insurer’s refusal to cover a punitive damage award related to a wrongful death lawsuit; successful appeal resulted in summary reversal of trial court and complete victory for client and full coverage of the punitive damage award
- Defended closely held venture capital company in a federal court action against allegations that the company and its members failed to make a promised multimillion-dollar investment; matter settled favorably for client
- Obtained dismissal on behalf of corporate trustee of a mass action brought by mortgage loan borrowers asserting claims for RICO violations and conspiracy to commit RICO violations in New York federal court
- Defended a generic pharmaceutical supplier in a government criminal investigation and False Claims Act investigation
- Skidmore College, 2003, B.A., Cum Laude
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2010, J.D., Magna Cum Laude
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Clerkship to Judge Joan Gottschall of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2010 - 2011)
Recognized, Commercial Litigation, Philadelphia, Ones to Watch, The Best Lawyers in America (2025)