Practice & Trial Experience

Katrine Aliha Beck is a co-founder of Fullerton Beck LLP and an accomplished trial lawyer and litigator who oversees the firm’s general liability, commercial auto and sexual abuse teams. Her practice focuses on defending complex general liability, municipal law, and commercial auto case, where she represents insurers, corporations, property owners, municipalities and transportation companies in high-exposure litigation throughout New York.

A seasoned defense attorney in the insurance space, Katrine has built her reputation on delivering strategic, results-driven representation in jury trials, motion practice, and mediations. She regularly defends complex matters involving allegations of negligence, violations of the New York Labor Law, Vehicle Traffic Laws and premises liability, and is trusted by clients ranging from individuals and small businesses to large corporations, property managers, and insurance carriers.

Katrine began her career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Bronx Tort Division of the New York City Law Department, where she tried cases to verdict on behalf of New York City and its agencies. This early trial experience honed her ability to quickly identify key issues and shape successful litigation strategies, a skillset that remains central to her practice and the firm today.

Rapid Response & High-Exposure Work

Katrine also leads the firm’s Rapid Response Team, managing high-priority accident matters for institutional clients. In this role, she directs rapid-response efforts including evidence preservation, witness interviews, and the collection of time-sensitive information to position cases for effective defense from the outset.

Her background includes OSHA-10 certification, providing her with knowledge of construction practices, AIA contracts, and complex insurance and indemnity requirements – an asset in defending construction-related and transportation claims.

As a founder of Fullerton Beck, Katrine plays a central role in shaping the firm’s litigation strategy and trial approach. She is known for her practical, focused advocacy and her ability to guide complex matters toward efficient and successful resolutions under demanding circumstances.

Some of her most recent case wins include:

• Obtained a defense verdict in a New York County premises liability action involving a UPS delivery person who alleged injury after slipping on a substance within the building. At trial, the defense presented testimony from the former custodian Katrine located, who confirmed he had inspected the area minutes before the incident. When questioned about his ability to recall the inspection years later, he explained that it was his birthday and that the inspection was the last task he completed before leaving to celebrate. The jury returned a defense verdict in favor of the client, notwithstanding the opposition being represented by two well-established trial firms.
• Successfully defended a subcontractor in a consolidated Manhattan trip and fall action, obtaining dismissal of third party claims seeking automatic defense and indemnification under a cable company contract. The decision is significant for subcontractors routinely impleaded years after completing limited work, reinforcing that defense and indemnity obligations are not automatic and cannot be imposed absent evidence that the subcontractor’s work caused or contributed to the alleged injury.
• Obtained full dismissal for a building owner client in a premises liability action arising from a plaintiff’s fall through an open trap door inside a Bronx nail salon, eliminating exposure at an early stage of litigation.
• Secured a favorable outcome for her clients, a car wash and its employee operating a vehicle, who accidentally struck elderly customers multiple times. Katrine led the defense, in this highly publicized incident, responding immediately to preserve the vehicle and retain experts. Her early investigation identified a vehicle mechanical issue, averting criminal charges against the driver. Additionally, through detailed fact finding and early case analysis, Katrine significantly reduced the case’s exposure by reducing pre-impact terror claims by uncovering that the plaintiffs had diminished hearing, so they did not hear or see the car approaching from behind them.

Firm Leadership

Katrine also plays a central role in shaping the firm’s growth. She is actively involved in recruiting and developing the firm’s attorneys, including helping to establish meaningful partnerships that support the firm’s commitment to building a diverse workforce. Katrine also contributes to the training and professional development of attorneys through initiatives such as the firm’s participation in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and its summer associate program, reinforcing a culture of mentorship, hands-on learning, and trial excellence.