Education
Master of Laws
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
Pepperdine University School of Law
Juris Doctor
Pepperdine University School of Law
Bachelor of Science, Journalism
Cum Laude
St. John’s University
Bar Admissions
California, Texas
Curiosity, Collaboration, and Compassion
Katherine owes her successful track record to a unique approach she developed - focused on the “three C’s”: Curiosity, Collaboration, and Compassion.
Sophisticated Dispute Resolution Strategy
Katherine Yuna is an experienced civil litigator equipped with a highly successful track record. Katherine’s fearless and strategic mindset help her win at every stage of the pre-litigation and litigation process.
Arrows in her quiver include:
multi-firm project leadership, organization, and management
reviewing contracts for potential pitfalls and negotiating favorable terms
developing an overarching litigation strategy based on a compelling narrative and applicable law
promoting settlement with targeted discovery techniques
negotiating, mediating, and advocating using the three C’s
Katherine takes seemingly impossible facts and unfavorable law and transforms an apparent loss into a clear win, easily breaking down the issues and correct approach forward for her clients and the judge. Her passion for problem-solving, compassion for others, and drive for success allows her to fight zealously for her clients, whether in the courtroom or the boardroom.
Katherine earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution from the #1 ranked program for dispute resolution in the United States for 14 of the past 18 years (as of 2022) - the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. She is rigorously trained in advanced mediation, negotiation, commercial and investor-state arbitration, and cross-cultural conflict resolution. The combination of her training in alternate forms of dispute resolution with her successful track record in civil litigation uniquely equips her with the tools needed to succeed as a client advocate in and out of the courtroom.
Honors and Social Impact
While at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in Santa Monica, California, Katherine led legal analysis for, and drafted, the successful Title VIII Complaint on behalf of the citizens of Martineztown-Santa Barbara, New Mexico which received national coverage and was successful in the preservation of the Martineztown historic district.
Katherine also interned for the Counsel to Secure Justice (CSJ), in New Delhi, India where she advocated for child sexual assault victims by developing a case index on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act for local magistrates. While attending Pepperdine, she was vice president of the trial advocacy board, a member of the honors trial team and Women’s Law Association, and a student body representative.
Recently, she won an evidentiary hearing that prevented the condemnation of a nature preserve home to threatened native Texas Bison, 12 different species of endangered toucans, and the golden-cheeked warbler.