Kabateck LLP Managing Partner Shant Karnikian was featured in Law.com‘s “How I Made Managing Partner” series, sharing his journey from post-bar law clerk to firm leadership and his philosophy on building a successful legal career.
Karnikian, who joined Kabateck LLP in 2013 and was promoted to Managing Partner in June 2024, emphasized the importance of patience and dedication over quick career moves. “Deferred gratification. There’s no shortcut. Jumping firms for a slightly better title or salary won’t get you where you want to be. Loyalty, patience, and long-term thinking matter,” he told Law.com.
Karnikian, who specializes in insurance bad faith, mass torts, wildfire litigation, and catastrophic personal injury, described his career trajectory as both organic and purposeful. After leaving another litigation firm where he was unhappy, he took a post-bar law clerk position at Kabateck for less money because he knew the firm’s reputation and wanted to “fight the good fight and work somewhere meaningful.”
His relationship with firm founder Brian Kabateck proved pivotal. “It wasn’t one moment — it was years of working closely with Brian and earning his trust. We understood each other, we got great results, and we made a strong team,” Karnikian explained about his path to leadership.
Despite his management responsibilities, Karnikian maintains an active litigation practice. “I still take depositions, argue motions, and work cases up for trial. I never want to be one of those lawyers whose name is on the door but hasn’t seen a courtroom in a decade.”
Addressing concerns about industry consolidation, particularly hedge fund-backed firms focused on volume over substance, Karnikian predicted: “The firms actually doing the work — litigating, trying cases, getting real results — will be just fine. But there’s a reckoning coming for those chasing volume over substance.”
His advice to aspiring legal leaders reflects his measured approach to career building: “Chop wood, carry water. Keep your head down and do the work. The results will come.” He added, “Stop worrying so much. So many of the disasters I feared never happened. It’s going to be OK.”
Looking ahead, Karnikian is focused on building clear protocols for the firm’s mass tort work while encouraging work-life balance. “Burnout is real. I’ve been there. A firm is only as strong as the people inside it, and I want ours to be happy, healthy, and fulfilled.”
The full Law.com (subscription required) feature provides insights for legal professionals seeking to advance their careers while maintaining client-focused practices.