Karen Friedman Agnifilo brings more than three decades of experience in criminal justice, litigation, and trial practice. Her practice focuses on criminal defense in state and federal courts, drawing on her extensive background prosecuting serious violent crimes, including complex homicide matters, from investigation and arrest through trial. In addition to criminal defense, she represents plaintiffs in civil and employment matters and conducts internal investigations involving allegations of misconduct, discrimination, and sexual assault.

Current Legal Experience: Ms. Friedman Agnifilo entered private practice in 2021 and is Of Counsel to Agnifilo Intrater LLP, a nationally and internationally recognized boutique law firm based in New York. Her practice focuses on high-stakes criminal and civil litigation in both federal and state courts. She is known for providing strategic, individualized representation tailored to each client’s unique needs and circumstances, supported by extensive investigative and trial experience.

She is lead counsel in the federal and state criminal cases against Luigi Mangione, where she successfully secured dismissal of both the state terrorism and federal death penalty charges.

Prior Legal Experience: Following graduation from Georgetown University Law Center, she began her legal career at the New York County District Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted a wide variety of crimes and served in leadership positions.

She joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg as General Counsel advising on criminal justice policy.

Ms. Friedman Agnifilo returned to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in 2010 as an Executive Assistant District Attorney and served as Chief Assistant District Attorney from 2014 through 2021. As Chief Assistant DA, she played a central leadership role in overseeing complex and high-profile prosecutions. As the second highest-ranking attorney in the office, she frequently served as Acting District Attorney in the District Attorney’s absence.

As an Executive she supervised all major investigations and prosecutions within the office and managed approximately 1,500 employees and a budget exceeding $120 million. Her leadership experience includes oversight of some of the office’s most sensitive, high stakes matters. During her tenure, she was also instrumental in advancing modernization and criminal justice reform initiatives.

Media, Consulting and Other Experience: Ms. Friedman Agnifilo is a frequent legal and media commentator and served as a Legal Analyst for CNN from 2022 to 2024. Since 2021, she has co-hosted an award-winning legal and political podcast. Since 2022, she has served as the Legal Consultant for the television series Law & Order. She also advises businesses and individuals on legal strategy, crisis management, internal investigations, and related matters.

Ms. Friedman Agnifilo is conversationally fluent in Spanish.