Koren L. Bell

What conspiracy? That is one of the central questions in Larson LLP's acquittal motion arguing that a conviction in the "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal should be tossed. That motion also challenges the unprecedented application of the federal fraud statutes.

Litigator Koren Bell is co-lead counsel defending former University of Southern California water polo coach Jovan Vavic, accused of taking bribes from wealthy families to pass off their children as recruits. United States v. Ernst et al. 19-cr-10080-IT, (D. Mass., filed March 5, 2019). In that case, Koren and her team obtained dismissal of the government's lead racketeering charge and of its property fraud allegations; won severance of their client's trial; and challenged the government's unprecedented theories in pending post-trial motions.

"The government's premise of a conspiracy assumes that all of these coaches and parents were involved in a sprawling nationwide conspiracy. Many of them didn't know each other," said Bell, who filed a motion for a judgment of acquittal on Vavic's behalf in May 2022. "There's insufficient proof of a conspiracy."

Following extensive pre-trial motion practice and a contentious multi-week trial, Vavic was found guilty on all counts by a Boston jury in April 2022 and could face up to 20 years in prison. A hearing on this latest motion is slated for June 2022.

Bell, a partner for Los Angeles-based Larson LLP who is bilingual in Spanish, often represents prominent clients in trials and appeals, especially in matters of white-collar defense. She also represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation, commercial disputes, civil rights cases, and internal investigations.

Before going into private practice, Bell was a supervising federal public defender who argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"What I love most about our practice is the diversity of our matters," Bell said. "It's very rewarding to deliver results through creative and focused advocacy."

That variety extends to what clients consider a successful representation, she said. Some want her to fight for their day in court. "Others want a swift, discreet resolution at the earliest juncture," Bell said.

In another big pending case, Bell said her client hopes to clear her name. Bell is co-lead counsel representing former Outcome Health President Shradha Agarwal against criminal charges and parallel U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission civil charges. United States v. Desai et al.,1:19- cr-00864, 19-cv-07528 (N.D. Ill., filed Nov. 14, 2019).

Agarwal is accused of taking part in a $1 billion fraud scheme targeting Outcome Health's clients and investors. That trial is scheduled for January 2023.

- Jennifer McEnteW