Meet Kari
Kari is a trial attorney in the Charlottesville office of Allen & Allen with a background in insurance and medical malpractice defense. Kari understands the importance of effective communication, both in her relationships with clients and in the courtroom. She focuses her practice on personal injury cases and is dedicated to fighting for the seriously injured.
Prior to joining Allen & Allen, Kari represented defendants and insurance companies in cases involving medical malpractice, wrongful death, automobile accidents, premises liability, and products liability. Her background gives her unique insight into how insurance companies handle personal injury claims. Further, Kari has experience in federal court, having argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on an issue that was ultimately considered by the United States Supreme Court.
Kari has been named by Super Lawyers as a Virginia Rising Star from 2020 to 2023. She was a double-major in Economics and Political Science at the University of Georgia. She earned her J.D. at the University of Richmond School of Law, where she was a member of the Trial Advocacy Board.
Kari grew up in southwest Virginia, where she was very involved in high school athletics. She has held state records in both basketball and volleyball. In her free time, she enjoys snow skiing, golfing, scuba diving, boating, and travel.
Experience
- Trial Attorney, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (2021-Present)
- Attorney, The Mitchell Law Group (2018-2021)
- Associate, Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, P.C. (2017-2018)
- Staff Counsel, Geico (2015-2016)
- Associate, Hall & Hall, PLC (2014-2015)
Education
- J.D., University of Richmond School of Law (2014)
- B.A., Political Science and Economics, University of Georgia (2011)
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Virginia
Honors
- Up & Coming Lawyers, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2025)
- 6th Highest Jury Verdict in 2024 – as reported in Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 20 trials return $1M-plus judgments in 2024
- Super Lawyers, Virginia Rising Star (2020-2026)
- Virginia Business Magazine – Legal Elite (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Professional Affiliations
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Women’s Caucus (2026 – 2027)
- American Association for Justice
- Charlottesville-Abemarle Bar Association
- Chair, Medical Malpractice Section, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (2019-2020)
Tractor-Trailer Accident – $895,735
After being rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81, our client turned to Allen & Allen for guidance as his neck and back pain continued to worsen in the months...
16 attorneys named to 2026 Virginia Super Lawyers
We are proud to announce that 16 Allen & Allen attorneys have been named to the 2026 Super Lawyers list. Those attorneys include: Edward L. Allen, Ellen C. Bognar, Paul...
Can I use AI to save lawyer’s fees? No.
An AI computer program cannot stand up to an insurance adjuster, interpret subtle facts in your case, or protect you from mistakes that could cost you your claim. A seasoned...
$575,000 Recovery for injured client in motorcycle collision
Attorneys Kari La Fratta and David Irvine successfully obtained a total recovery of $575,000 after their client was seriously injured in a motorcycle collision in Chesterfield. As a result of...
Kari La Fratta named to Up & Coming Lawyers
The Allen Law Firm celebrates Kari La Fratta’s recognition as an Up & Coming Lawyer by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This honor recognizes attorneys in their first 10 years of practice...
Medical Malpractice $5,021,000
On Friday, a Chesterfield County jury returned a $5,021,000 verdict in our medical malpractice wrongful death case following a five-day trial and approximately six hours of deliberation. Trial Team: Derrick...