Some careers are defined not just by courtroom victories, but by the people those victories were fought for. Anapol Weiss shareholder Kristen Gibbons Feden has been named to Forbes’ inaugural America’s Top Women Lawyers list, a recognition that honors outstanding women attorneys who are shaping the legal profession and advancing excellence in advocacy nationwide. For Kristen, this honor is not simply a professional distinction. It is a reflection of every survivor she has stood beside, every courtroom she has entered with purpose, and every verdict she has fought for on behalf of people who came to her during their most vulnerable moments.
Being recognized by Forbes alongside the top female lawyers in the country is meaningful not only for what it says about her legal record, but for what it says about the kind of work she has committed to doing. Representing survivors of sexual abuse and gender-based violence is not the path most lawyers choose. It is emotionally demanding, legally complex, and frequently waged against powerful and well-resourced defendants. Kristen has chosen that path at every turn, and the results she has achieved for her clients reflect both her determination and her dedication to the people she serves.
If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse, human trafficking, gender-based violence, or another serious harm and needs to understand their legal options, the team at Anapol Weiss is here to help. Call us at 215-735-1130 or submit our online contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Forbes Top Women Lawyers Recognition: Why Kristen Gibbons Feden’s Selection Stands Apart
Forbes launched its America’s Top Women Lawyers list in June 2026 to recognize outstanding women attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy, leadership, and impact in the legal profession. Being named to this inaugural list places Kristen among a select group of women who have not only achieved significant results for their clients but have also helped shape the direction of litigation in their practice areas.
Her selection is grounded in a track record that is difficult to match. She is recognized across the country as one of the leading litigators in sexual abuse cases and high-profile civil litigation. The New York Times described her as the female litigator “who stared down Bill Cosby,” a reference to her famous closing argument in the second trial of Commonwealth v. William H. Cosby. That moment brought Kristen to international attention, but it was only one chapter in a career that has continued to grow in scope and significance.
In 2023, she accomplished something that drew widespread recognition across the legal community: two eight-figure verdicts on the same day. She secured a $10.5 million verdict for survivors of R. Kelly and a $22 million verdict for a survivor of sexual abuse by a prominent New York pediatrician, both in a single day. Between 2024 and 2025, she went on to secure 104 verdicts totaling $1.6 billion for additional survivors of the same pediatrician. That number represents far more than a legal milestone. It represents accountability for institutions and individuals that survivors had been fighting to hold responsible for years.
Prior to focusing on civil litigation, Kristen prosecuted cases in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where she reached the rank of Captain overseeing the Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence Units and contributed to the Sex Crimes Unit. That foundation shaped how she approaches every case, with the kind of insight that only comes from having worked both sides of the justice system.
Sexual Abuse Litigation in Philadelphia and Across the Country: How Kristen Gibbons Feden Fights for Survivors
Kristen’s work at Anapol Weiss is built around the cases that matter most: civil rights litigation, child abuse and exploitation, human trafficking, and sexual abuse. Her current docket reflects the full breadth of that commitment.
She currently represents hundreds of men and women who survived childhood sexual assault while in the custody of various states’ juvenile justice systems. She represents clients who were sexually assaulted by rideshare drivers, holding companies like Uber and Lyft accountable for passenger safety. She is representing families against technology companies for enabling predatory grooming, exploitation, and sexual assault through online platforms, including cases involving minors.
What connects each of these cases is a common thread: survivors who were harmed by people or institutions in positions of trust or power, and who deserve representation that takes their experiences seriously. Kristen has built her practice around that principle throughout her career.
Her work extends beyond the courtroom. She has been recognized by the Victim Services Center of Norristown, Safe Harbor, the Victim Rights Law Center, and the National Crime Victims Bar Association. She serves on the board of Aequitas, a national resource center for law enforcement investigating sex trafficking and other sex crimes, and has served as Board President of Montgomery County’s Victim Services Center. These roles reflect a commitment to the broader system that shapes how survivors are treated before and after any individual case.
She also serves as an adjunct professor at the Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, bringing her courtroom experience into the classroom for the next generation of litigators. Her dedication to the profession and to the people who rely on it is evident in everything she does.
National Reputation in High-Profile Litigation: What Kristen’s Recognition Means for Clients
The Forbes recognition is the latest in a long line of honors Kristen has earned for her record in the courtroom. She appears on Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, The National Black Lawyers Top 100, and The Nation's Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. She has also been recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Leaders Making an Impact in the Legal Industry in 2024, named among the Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and received 2024 Attorney of the Year honors from both The Legal and The Philadelphia Citizen.
These recognitions mean something concrete to people considering whether to move forward with a case: Kristen is consistently evaluated and trusted by her peers and by independent organizations that examine legal records carefully. She has not built her reputation on a single famous case. She has built it over decades of consistent, focused work on behalf of the people who needed her most.
Her national profile has also made her a sought-after voice on legal and social issues. She provides regular commentary for major outlets including MSNBC, NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC, Fox, NPR, and the BBC. She travels internationally to advocate for survivors and push for changes in the laws governing sexual violence and victims’ rights. Her voice in those conversations reflects the same values she brings to every case.
For prospective clients, what matters most is not the awards or the media profile. It is the track record of real results and the understanding that when Kristen takes a case, she is fully committed to the outcome. Her history in both the prosecution of criminal matters and the pursuit of civil justice for survivors reflects a standard of dedication that has remained consistent throughout her career.
Representing Survivors in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Nationwide: Who Can Our Team Help
Anapol Weiss represents clients from across the country, and Kristen is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The firm’s Philadelphia office serves as a primary hub for the firm’s sexual abuse and civil rights litigation. Survivors from throughout the Philadelphia area, Montgomery County, Bucks County, and South Jersey have worked with the Anapol Weiss team to pursue accountability and compensation for the harms they have experienced.
The cases Kristen handles are not confined by geography. Her work has taken her to courtrooms in New York, and her current cases span multiple states and involve defendants and institutions with national and international reach. Clients from Camden County, Bergen County, and communities throughout the tri-state region have sought her representation, as have survivors from across the country.
If you or a family member has experienced sexual abuse, gender-based violence, or another serious harm and you are unsure whether you have a case or where to begin, a conversation with our team can help you find clarity. We work with survivors from the first call through the final resolution and take the time to understand each person’s situation before recommending a course of action.
Taking the Next Step as a Survivor: What to Expect When You Contact Anapol Weiss
Many survivors who reach out to our firm are doing so for the first time. They may not know exactly what to expect from a legal consultation or what information they need to share. The process starts with a conversation: you reach out, we listen, and we ask questions to understand what happened and what you hope to accomplish. There is no pressure and no obligation in the initial consultation.
From there, we can explain what legal options may be available, what the process typically looks like, and how cases like yours have been handled for other survivors. We approach these conversations with care and strict confidentiality, recognizing that the decision to pursue a legal claim is deeply personal and often comes after significant reflection and courage.
Forbes’ recognition of Kristen as one of America’s top women lawyers reflects what is possible when a litigator fully commits to the people she represents and refuses to accept anything less than accountability for those who have caused harm. That commitment is at the heart of every case our team takes on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kristen Gibbons Feden and Anapol Weiss
What types of cases does Kristen Gibbons Feden handle at Anapol Weiss?
Kristen leads the sexual abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and exploitation, and civil rights practice areas at Anapol Weiss. Her cases include representation of childhood sexual assault survivors from state juvenile justice facilities, rideshare sexual assault cases, technology platform exploitation cases involving minors, and sex trafficking litigation. She is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York and handles cases nationally.
What does the Forbes Top Women Lawyers recognition mean for Kristen’s clients?
Forbes’ inaugural America’s Top Women Lawyers list recognizes women attorneys who are advancing excellence in advocacy and shaping the direction of the legal profession. For Kristen’s clients, it is one more confirmation of what her record already shows: $1.6 billion in verdicts for sexual abuse survivors, two eight-figure verdicts on a single day in 2023, and decades of focused, determined advocacy for people who needed a strong voice.
Has Kristen handled cases involving well-known defendants or major institutions?
Yes. Kristen gained international attention for her closing argument in the second trial of Commonwealth v. William H. Cosby. She secured a $10.5 million verdict for survivors of R. Kelly and $1.6 billion across 104 verdicts for survivors of a former New York pediatrician. She is currently litigating cases against rideshare companies and major technology platforms.
Which areas does Anapol Weiss serve for sexual abuse and civil rights cases?
Anapol Weiss serves clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and nationally. The Philadelphia office handles a significant share of the firm’s sexual abuse and civil rights litigation. Clients from Montgomery County, Bucks County, Camden County, South Jersey, and throughout the tri-state region have worked with the team, as have survivors from many other states.
How do I contact Anapol Weiss about a potential sexual abuse or civil rights case?
You can reach the Anapol Weiss team by calling 215-735-1130 or by submitting the firm’s online contact form. All consultations are free and confidential. A member of our team will follow up to discuss your situation and help you understand your legal options.
Contact Anapol Weiss Today: Your Case Matters and So Does Your Voice
Forbes’ recognition of Kristen Gibbons Feden as one of America’s top women lawyers is a milestone not just for Kristen personally, but for the survivors she has represented and for the many who may need a strong advocate in the future. Her career demonstrates what is possible when a litigator commits fully to the people she serves, brings deep experience from both the prosecution and the plaintiff’s side, and refuses to accept anything less than accountability from those who have caused harm.
At Anapol Weiss, we believe every survivor deserves to be taken seriously and to have a team that will fight on their behalf. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, gender-based violence, human trafficking, or a related harm, we encourage you to reach out. You do not have to navigate this alone, and the first step of speaking with an attorney does not commit you to anything.
Contact Anapol Weiss by calling 215-735-1130 or by filling out our online contact form. Our team is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you take the next step toward the justice you deserve.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
