Karla Vehrs handles complex financial litigation on behalf of corporate trustees, lenders, investors, and agribusinesses in state and federal courts across the country. Her work includes loan enforcement, fraud investigation and prosecution, receiverships, loss recovery, and fiduciary and lender-liability defense.
Karla is recognized for her leadership in and outside the courtroom. From case inception through appeal, clients look to Karla for her sound judgment, risk-management advice, and zealous advocacy. And as a trial attorney, Karla leads highly effective teams in advocating for clients’ positions and has obtained significant jury verdicts in complex multi-party cases.
Services
- Litigation
- Real Estate and Construction Litigation
- Western Real Estate Finance
- Appellate
- Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Banking and Financial Services
- Agribusiness
- Food and Beverage
- Corporate Trust Services
- Distressed Assets and Opportunities
- Distressed Real Estate
- Distressed Office Buildings
- Independent, Parochial and Charter School Financings
- Manufacturing and Consumer Products
- Sports
- Bankruptcy, Creditors' Rights, and Restructuring
Experience
Representative Matters
- Obtained a seven-figure judgment in case of national significance on behalf of a bond trustee against a borrower, its principal, and numerous related entities following a three-week jury trial on contract, fraud, fraudulent transfer, and veil-piercing claims
- Representation of a bond trustee in obtaining the appointment of a receiver following discovery of borrower fraud and waste in large multi-family housing matter
- Represented a commodities-trading firm in obtaining a significant jury verdict related to breaches of a commodities contract
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (Minneapolis), 2023-2025; Litigation - Banking and Finance, 2025
Twin Cities Business, 100 People to Know, 2024
Finance & Commerce, Top Women in Finance, 2021
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Expanding the View from the Top: Women in Leadership 2020," Minnesota CLE In-House Counsel Crash Course, March 6, 2020
Speaker, "Leadership Development for Lawyers," University of Minnesota Law School, February 17, 2020
Speaker, "Best Practices in Legal Operations," an ACC presentation, December 5, 2019
Board Memberships & Community Service
Pinky Swear Foundation, Board Chair
Agent for University of Minnesota Law School Partners at Work annual fundraising campaign
Minnesota Women Lawyers, Advisory Board Member
Credentials
Education
University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2006)
Minnesota Law Review
University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A. 2002)
Languages
German
Spanish
Admissions
Minnesota
Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit