Aliza R. Karetnick

Aliza Karetnick is a Philadelphia-based legal counselor and trial lawyer with an international advisory, complex commercial, and intellectual-property litigation practice. She works closely with her clients' management teams and in-house counsel to maximize business objectives by managing and resolving legal challenges.

Aliza has particular experience in the cosmetics, fragrance, and flavor industries, often advising manufacturers, distributors, marketers, and retailers that include large, branded companies, as well as independent and emerging companies poised for growth. Because Aliza monitors industry trends and invests the time to learn her clients' businesses, she is a true partner who is routinely called upon to act as outside general counsel, guiding companies through regulatory and compliance matters, navigating claim substantiation issues, supporting corporate transactions, and providing employment advice.

Aliza also leads teams through all phases of litigation, from motion practice to bench and jury trials. In addition to her experience in trade secret-related injunction proceedings, Aliza has extensive experience defending collective and class action employment matters opposite private and governmental plaintiffs.

Aliza is active in industry associations and events, and has developed strong working relationships with key contacts in the cosmetics, fragrance, and flavor sectors. She writes and speaks frequently on legal and business topics affecting these industries, including panels and continuing legal education courses on brand protection, advertising and cosmetics, trade secrets, and unfair competition.

Representative Matters

• Represent a large, multinational perfumer and flavor producer in commercial litigation matters, enforcement of nondisclosure agreements, and regulatory matters, including FDA inspections
• Represent color cosmetics contract manufacturer on issues relating to FDA compliance and inspections
• Advise haircare manufacturer on FTC and FDA claims issues
• Advise flavor producer on FDA issues and "food fraud"
• Represent K-beauty manufacturer of personal care products on import issues
• Represent publicly traded global manufacturer and purveyor of packaged foods in trade secrets matters
• Represent global flavor manufacturer and distributor in complex commercial dispute arising out of asset purchase
• Obtained complete affirmance of summary judgment on novel issues in the Third Circuit relating to copyright preemption and claims under RICO, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the Lanham Act. Collegesource, Inc. v. Academy One, Inc., 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 1845 (3d Cir. Feb. 5, 2015)
• Obtained multiple preliminary injunctions on behalf of Fortune 200 food manufacturer relating to confidentiality and non-competition agreements
• Defended closely held weight-loss company in national pattern and practice employment class action opposite government plaintiff
• Represented mortgage lender and servicer in complex commercial litigation involving breaches of contract and fraud arising from sale of business unit and valuation of residual assets
• Represent technology service provider in litigation involving application of foreign antitrust and intellectual property laws

Pro Bono Experience

Aliza has served as pro bono counsel through the Juvenile Law Center, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia VIP on cases involving juvenile lifers, individual disabilities, and education rights.

Professional Activities

Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors Association

Personal Care Products Counsel

Cosmetic Executive Women

American Bar Association

Recognitions & Accomplishments

2017 Diversity Award, Diversity Law Institute

Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America – Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, 2014-present

Lawyer on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer, 2011

Listed in Philadelphia Super Lawyers, 2015-2018

Selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2005-2008, 2010-2011

Named one of 35 Employees of the Month in Esquire, Working magazine, fall 2012

Penn Public Interest Scholar, 1995-1998

Shestack Fellow, 1998-2000

Select Publications

Interview subject, "Expert Dialogue – A Look at the Complicated Rules Governing Influencer Partnerships," Beauty Independent, December 18, 2018

"Beauty Products Caught in an Ugly Trade War," Cosmetics Design, July 30, 2018

Co-author, "Counterfeit Cosmetics: Fake Beauty, Real Danger," Law360, April 25, 2018

Select Speaking Engagements

"Green, Clean, What's New?" 38th Annual ICMAD FDA Cosmetics Regulations Workshop, New York, NY, May 9, 2019

"Crisis Management: Learning How to Protect Your Brand When Things Go Wrong – Legal Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Counterfeit Product Issues," Sixth Annual Forum on Cosmetics and Personal Care Products – Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance, American Conference Institute, New York, March 29, 2019

Moderator, "Outside Counsel: How Do I Protect My IP?" The Fifth Annual Fashion Law Symposium, Villanova, PA, February 1, 2019

Board Memberships

Students Run Philly Style, Board of Directors, 2008-present

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Board of Directors, 2001-2011

ABA Committee on State Constitutional Rights, Vice Chair, 2001-2003

Community Activities

Philadelphia Bar Run Benefiting Support Center for Child Advocates, committee member, 2008-2012

Project HOME, Committee Member, 2008-2010

University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1998)
Articles Editor, University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law
Penn Public Interest Scholar

Bates College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1993)
Phi Beta Kappa

Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

New Jersey (inactive)