Katherine F. Theofel
katherine.theofel@fmtdlaw.com
Ms. Theofel received her B.A. degree from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and her Juris Doctor degree from the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. She is admitted to practice in all courts of the State of California, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, the United States Court of Appeal for the First and Ninth Circuits, and all courts of Puerto Rico.
Ms. Theofel is an active member of the maritime community, specializing in the defense of employers and carriers in Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims, as well as its extensions. Her background in federal practice and maritime law allows her to handle cross-over claims and subrogation cases. She also specializes in defending concurrent jurisdiction cases involving state and federal compensation schemes.
Focusing on Longshore issues, Ms. Theofel is a regular panelist at seminars including the Longshore Claims Association, the Industrial Claims Association, Signal Administration and Loyola University. She is frequently asked to conduct training seminars for claims people new to the Longshore industry.
Prior to her association with Finnegan, Marks, Theofel & Desmond, Ms. Theofel clerked for the Hon. Hernan Pesquera, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and later for the Hon. Raymond Acosta of the same court. She then spent three years as an associate with a maritime defense firm in Puerto Rico, handling ship owner claims, Jones Act lawsuits, as well as cargo claims.
A native Californian, Ms. Theofel returned in 1987 and began work with the firm. She has been a partner since 1994, and in 2004 became the President and managing partner of Finnegan, Marks, Theofel & Desmond. In addition to her professional life, Ms. Theofel serves on the Principal’s Advisory Board of St. Raphael School. She is an avid gardener and loves to travel.
Ms. Theofel is an active member of the maritime community, specializing in the defense of employers and carriers in Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims, as well as its extensions. Her background in federal practice and maritime law allows her to handle cross-over claims and subrogation cases. She also specializes in defending concurrent jurisdiction cases involving state and federal compensation schemes.
Focusing on Longshore issues, Ms. Theofel is a regular panelist at seminars including the Longshore Claims Association, the Industrial Claims Association, Signal Administration and Loyola University. She is frequently asked to conduct training seminars for claims people new to the Longshore industry.
Prior to her association with Finnegan, Marks, Theofel & Desmond, Ms. Theofel clerked for the Hon. Hernan Pesquera, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and later for the Hon. Raymond Acosta of the same court. She then spent three years as an associate with a maritime defense firm in Puerto Rico, handling ship owner claims, Jones Act lawsuits, as well as cargo claims.
A native Californian, Ms. Theofel returned in 1987 and began work with the firm. She has been a partner since 1994, and in 2004 became the President and managing partner of Finnegan, Marks, Theofel & Desmond. In addition to her professional life, Ms. Theofel serves on the Principal’s Advisory Board of St. Raphael School. She is an avid gardener and loves to travel.
