Kate Watson Moss

Overview

Kate concentrates her practice on high-stakes commercial litigation, including class actions, securities disputes, and corporate internal audits and government investigations. She is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized businesses, and family-owned enterprises, helping them navigate their most complex and sensitive legal challenges.

Kate has successfully litigated cases in state and federal courts across the United States, achieving favorable outcomes in matters involving contracts, employment, securities, patents, and business disputes. Her practice is focused on protecting her clients’ most valuable assets—their trade secrets, sensitive data, and reputations. Known for her strategic and decisive approach, Kate conducts internal investigations to identify and mitigate potential exposure, advocates for her clients with reporters and investigators, and, when necessary, litigates aggressively to protect their interests. Clients praise her strategic approach to litigation as being responsible for multiple favorable settlements. Clients also appreciate her years of experience litigating First Amendment issues. She uses that experience to advise clients and their PR counsel in dealing with the national media in crisis situations.  

Among her notable achievements, Kate played a pivotal role in securing a nine-figure recovery for a family-owned food company in a defamation lawsuit against ABC News, recognized as the largest defamation action in U.S. history. She also obtained summary judgment for an industry-leading energy company in a $500 million trade secret misappropriation case, following years of complex discovery.

Chronically online, Kate’s deep understanding of technology and media sets her apart. She is highly attuned to emerging issues in artificial intelligence, digital privacy, and online reputation management. With a forward-looking perspective, she advises clients on navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, preserving their digital reputations, and addressing AI-related risks and opportunities.

*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.

Notable Representative Experience:

• Secured a nine-figure settlement for a leading beef producer in a defamation and disparagement action against ABC News, widely recognized as the largest defamation action in U.S. history.*
• Successfully defended a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company against a defamation claim brought by a former employee, winning a critical motion on the eve of trial that was later upheld by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Represented a global investment and advisory financial services firm in a high-profile investigation by Bloomberg News, preventing the publication of false and damaging statements about the client through strategic engagement with reporters, editors, and legal counsel.
• Represented a multinational computer technology company in a consumer class action, successfully arguing a motion in federal court that resulted in the effective termination of the case.*
• Advocated for a class of deaf and hard-of-hearing inmates in a class action against the Illinois Department of Corrections, protecting their constitutional and statutory rights.*