As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to face former President Donald Trump in a high-stakes presidential election this November, one name has quietly emerged at the center of her preparation: Karen Dunn, a powerhouse attorney known for her skill in law and political strategy.
Dunn, a partner at the elite law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, is not just coaching Harris for the upcoming elections—she is simultaneously defending Google in a landmark antitrust case that could reshape the tech industry.
A legal eagle with a foot in two worlds
Dunn’s dual roles have captured the attention of political and legal experts alike. On the one hand, she is guiding Harris for the 2024 election. On the other, she is leading the defense in one of the biggest antitrust trials in decades—a case brought forward by the Biden administration alleging that Google has unlawfully monopolized the online advertising market.
The stark contrast in her professional responsibilities has raised eyebrows among some legal scholars and antitrust experts. Critics argue that her role as Harris’ coach while representing Google could present a conflict of interest.
“It’s clear that you can’t serve both sides,” Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project told The New York Times. “If these were legal cases, she would be ethically barred from doing what she’s doing.”
The balancing act
Dunn’s unique position has put her under an intense spotlight. On September 9, she delivered the opening statement in the highly anticipated antitrust trial against Google. That same day, she was back on the road, rushing from a Virginia courtroom to join Harris’ team in Pittsburgh, helping finalize the Vice President’s preparation.
This balancing act is nothing new for Dunn, whose career has long straddled the line between law and politics. She began as a legislative aide for New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey before becoming a key strategist in Hillary Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign. Later, Dunn played a pivotal role in preparing presidential candidates—including Barack Obama and Clinton herself—for crucial debates.
An insider in both law and politics
Dunn’s reputation extends well beyond the political arena. A veteran litigator, she has represented tech giants such as Apple, Uber, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. In 2021, she secured a significant victory in a lawsuit against the organizers of the 2017 far-right Charlottesville rally.
“Hillary Clinton praised Dunn’s skill, calling her a master of balancing detail-oriented legal work with big-picture political strategy.” In an interview this month, Clinton noted, “She is someone who as a lawyer sweats the details, but she has an ability in her communications work to see the big picture, and that’s really a rare quality.”
The growing controversy
While Dunn’s expertise is beyond question, her dual roles have led to political blowback, especially from Republicans. Some argue that her proximity to the Harris camp could undermine the Biden administration’s case against Google. Jeff Hauser of the Revolving Door Project expressed concerns over Dunn’s influence, stating, “One imagines her stature in Harris’ world has only gone up after the debate—which could be concerning if she’s ever negotiating a potential settlement with the Justice Department under Harris.”
The controversy has quickly become a talking point in Republican circles. A senior adviser to Trump blasted the situation, claiming it proves Harris would “never stand up to Big Tech.” House Republicans are pressing Attorney General Merrick Garland for answers on how the administration is handling potential conflicts of interest.
What’s next for Karen Dunn?
Despite the growing scrutiny, neither Google nor the Harris campaign has commented on Dunn’s overlapping roles. Dunn, however, remains unfazed. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, she offered insight into her approach to debate coaching, noting, “The key to a winning debate moment is engaging your opponent in a way that challenges them, and then creating a winning moment, preferably at the expense of someone else.”
As the November election approaches and the Google antitrust trial unfolds, Dunn’s remarkable ability to navigate both the courtroom and the campaign trail may define her most high-profile challenge yet. Whether her dual roles will come under further scrutiny remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Karen Dunn is not slowing down.