As a former federal prosecutor and experienced litigator, Katie guides clients through an array of technology, national security and defense-related challenges. With over 18 years in government service working with the military, intelligence agencies and law enforcement, she understands the operational possibilities and legal challenges involved in bringing new technology into the global marketplace. She focuses her practice on export controls and economic sanctions, white collar and internal government investigations and classified matters. Katie counsels clients on regulatory issues affecting unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and other dual-use and emerging defense and national security technologies.

Prior to joining Scale, Katie held a high-profile position as a Trial Attorney in the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Additionally, she served as DOJ’s liaison to the United States Department of Defense (DOD). As a federal prosecutor embedded in two agencies, she was responsible for leading complex investigations utilizing law enforcement tools and intelligence to prevent, disrupt and prosecute acts of international and domestic terrorism on U.S. soil and abroad. With an expertise in sensitive investigations, she litigated matters in federal court under the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR), Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) designations, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT) and extraditions. She also served as an Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Regional Coordinator, responding to national security crises across the country.

As a DOJ Attaché, she deployed to the Middle East with a Special Operations Joint Task Force in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, facilitating the exploitation of technology for use in intelligence, military operations and international prosecutions. Katie established the first DOJ liaison program to DOD, serving initially as a partner with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and later building a team of experienced prosecutors who worked with the entirety of DOD on high-value targeting priorities. These efforts focused on cross-border seizures of advanced conventional weapons, illicit oil, digital assets and technology from nation-state actors to identify and trace critical components of technology used to conduct attacks against the United States. As a subject matter expert, Katie represented DOJ in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, DOD combatant commands and White House National Security Council.

Katie spearheaded an interagency project between DOD and federal law enforcement laboratories to improve exploitation and evidence collection in the wake of unmanned aerial vehicle or “drone” attacks targeting U.S. service members. This effort culminated in DOJ’s first instance of charging a corporate actor with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death for a drone attack that killed United States service members overseas. Additionally, Katie served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia in the National Security Section where she focused on counterintelligence matters.

Before her time at DOJ, Katie began her extensive litigating career as an Assistant District Attorney in Texas at the Harris County and Travis County District Attorneys’ Offices. Developing a passion for the intersection of technology and the law early on, she specialized in complex forensic litigation utilizing emerging DNA technology to prosecute serial killer and cold case homicides. She has tried over 80 cases to verdict in state and federal court.

Outside of work Katie enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, listening to live music, playing municipal golf courses, longboard surfing, Muay Thai boxing and long walks with her rescue pup, Cal Ripken Jr. Jr.

‍Awards and Honors
‍Four-time recipient of the Department of Justice National Security Division Assistant Attorney General Award for Excellence
Joint Civilian Service Achievement Award from the Department of Defense Joint Forces
Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism
Austin Police Department Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit Appreciation Award
“Gladiator Award” for the Travis County District Attorney's Office Trial Court Division Assistant District Attorney of the year