Koren Bell

Los Angeles

A partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Koren Bell's work encompasses trials, complex commercial litigation, government and internal investigations, and regulatory enforcement matters.

Her major cases include being the lead trial counsel in a high-profile case where she represented the co-founder and former president of Outcome Health. United States v. Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy, 19-CR-864 (N.D. Ill., filed Nov. 14, 2019).

This case involved allegations of a $1 billion fraud scheme. Bell continues to represent Shradha Agarwal in post-trial proceedings, addressing challenging legal issues such as a Sixth Amendment violation due to the government's alleged unlawful restraint of assets.

"The pending motions present the rare scenario of the government's conceded conduct giving rise to structural error that warrants relief -- judgment of acquittal or a new trial -- without a showing of prejudice," Bell said.

Another significant case in her career was her role as co-lead trial counsel in the "Varsity Blues" admissions trial. This case was marked by a range of unprecedented legal issues, where Bell successfully litigated motions for severance and dismissal of key charges. Her efforts in this case exemplified her ability to effectively challenge expansive applications of federal fraud statutes.

"Both matters were challenging -- 'Varsity Blues' due to the sheer number of unprecedented legal theories requiring first-impression motion practice, and Outcome Health due to the length and complexity of the nearly three-month-long trial, as well as the novel legal issues we are now litigating post-trial," Bell said.

Looking ahead, she said, "I expect we will see a continued focus on crypto and an increased focus on artificial intelligence technologies as well as sanctions evasion, export control violations, and related crimes."

In addition to her legal practice, Bell is actively involved in the legal community. She is a board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a member of various committees and associations that focus on judicial processes and white-collar defense. She also works with the Women's White Collar Defense Association and The Chancery Club of Los Angeles.

Before joining Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Bell gained experience at the Federal Public Defender's Office in Los Angeles, where she defended clients in complex federal criminal trial matters and appeals, including cross-border criminal activity and public corruption cases.