A celebrated trial attorney and legal expert known as the female litigator “who stared down Bill Cosby” (The New York Times), Kristen Gibbons Feden joined Anapol Weiss as a shareholder in March 2024. In addition to being internationally recognized as a leading fierce and relentless litigator in the #MeToo Movement and her world-renowned closing argument in the Bill Cosby trial, Feden is known for the two eight-figure verdicts she won in a single day in 2023 – a $10.5M verdict for survivors of singer and entertainer R. Kelly and a $22M verdict for a sexual abuse survivor of a renowned pediatrician in New York. In early 2024, she won additional significant victories, with $27M and $22M verdicts for other sexual abuse survivors of the same pediatrician.
Feden leads the Anapol Weiss practice areas for sexual abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and exploitation, and civil rights litigation. Recognized on a national level as a formidable advocate in legal matters, Kristen has stood by numerous survivors of crimes, particularly sexual abuse, championing their quest for civil justice. She has garnered numerous accolades for her unwavering commitment to aiding the most vulnerable survivors, many of whom turned to her during their most challenging moments.
Although Feden gained international recognition for her now-famous closing argument in the second trial of Commonwealth v. William H. Cosby, her commitment to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse extends beyond the courtroom. She initiated her involvement with survivors while serving as a prosecutor in Montgomery County, where she held the prestigious positions of Captain in the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Units, as well as a member of the Sex Crimes Unit. During her tenure, she successfully prosecuted numerous cases, including cases involving sexual and physical abuse, child pornography, domestic violence, and homicide.
Feden has consistently received commendations for her courtroom successes and advocacy on behalf of survivors during her time as a prosecutor and as a civil litigator, consistently taking cases to trial when others might not, including recognition by Law Enforcement, the Victim’s Rights Law Center, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, The Nation’s Top One Percent by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and The National Black Lawyers Top 100.
While many of Feden’s case outcomes remain confidential, she tirelessly achieves exceptional and unmatched results for her clients, including:
- $346 million in damages were awarded in child sexual abuse cases. (2024)
- $22 million in damages was awarded in child sexual abuse case. (2023)
- $10.3 million was awarded to survivors of terroristic threats. (2023)
- $6.5 million settlement was reached against a retail commercial entity for a sexual abuse survivor.
- $1 million settlement was secured against an educational institution for a sexual abuse survivor.
Beyond the courtroom, Feden serves as a powerful voice for survivors nationwide, and is frequently sought after for expert commentary on high-profile matters by attorneys and various international and national media outlets, including MSNBC, NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC, Fox, NPR, and the BBC.
Internationally, Feden travels to speak out and advocate for changes in the law and societal understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence and the impacts of sexual trauma on survivors.
Reflecting her leadership and public service in the community, Feden utilizes her expertise by serving on various Board and Court Appointments, including serving as a Board Member of Aequitas, a national resource center for law enforcement investigating and prosecuting sex trafficking and other sex crimes. She is also the Board President of Montgomery County’s Victim Services Center, and a past Member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee, appointed by now-Chief Justice Debra Todd.
Feden’s expertise is frequently called upon by advocacy groups to present and deliver keynote speeches. Recognized by The National Women Trial Lawyers Association and selected as a member of The Specialty Associations by The National Trial Lawyers group, Feden exemplifies exceptional leadership qualifications, reputation, influence, stature, and public profile. Moreover, her dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of lawyers is evident in her roles as an adjunct professor at the Temple University Beasley School of Law, where she occasionally teaches in the top-ranked Temple LL.M. program in Trial Advocacy, and as a frequent keynote speaker at national conferences. Feden’s relentless pursuit of justice and advocacy for those finding their voice cements her status as a leading litigator and figure in the legal community.
Feden is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- New York
Education
- Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D.
- Lafayette College, B.S., Neuroscience
Kristen Feden In The News
- New York Law Journal: Powerhouse Duo Win Six CVA Verdicts in One Week, Totaling $157 Million
- Newsday: 2 More $22M Sexual Abuse Judgments Against Ex-Merrick Pediatrician Stuart Copperman
- Forbes: Famous For Her Bill Cosby Closing Statement, Kristen Gibbons Feden Shares Tips On How To Use Your Voice And Be Heard (2024)
- Newsday: Ex-Merrick pediatrician Stuart Copperman hit with $27 million sexual abuse judgment, faces more than 100 allegations (2024)
- The Legal Intelligencer: Kristen Feden Nominated for Lawyer of the Year (2024)
- PRWeb: Anapol Weiss Acquires Fierce Philadelphia Litigator Who Prosecuted Bill Cosby and Won Two Eight-Figure Verdicts on the Same Day in 2023 (2024)
- Law260: Former Cosby Prosecutor Moves Practice to Anapol Weiss (2024)
- Philadelphia Business Journal: Former Cosby prosecutor who won $10M verdict for R. Kelly victims takes her ‘killer instinct’ to another law firm (2024)
- The Legal Intelligencer: “Did I Read This Correctly?” Attorney on Scoring Two 8-Figure Verdicts in 1 Day (2023)
- Law.com: Judge Issues $10.5 Million Bench Verdict Against R. Kelly Over Threats to Victims (2023)
- The New York Times: Former Pediatrician Ordered To Pay $22 Million in Sexual Abuse Suit (2023)
- MSNBC: Derek Chauvin Murder Trial (2021)
- MSNBC: Congress Faces Intense Pressure To Act On Police Reform (2021)
- The New York Times: She Told Police a Pediatrician Abused Her. Why Was He Never Charged? (2019)
- Reuters: Cosby prosecutor sets sights on new serial abuse case (2019)
- The New York Times: The Prosecutor Who Stared Down Bill Cosby (2018)
- CNBC: Meet Kristen Gibbons Feden, the 35-year-old prosecutor who took down Bill Cosby (2018)
- MSNBC: Bill Cosby Prosecutor: Survivors Now Know Justice Can Prevail (2018)