E-Paper
Who is Karen Friedman Agnifilo? Luigi Mangione’s lawyer in focus as he pleads guilty to killing Brian Thompson
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Luigi Mangione’s lawyer, is in focus after his guilty plea in the Brian Thompson case.
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges linked to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Friday, August 14. His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has been at the centre of his defence since the case began. The veteran New York attorney has a rare background: she once worked as one of Manhattan’s top prosecutors and is now defending a man accused of killing a major US healthcare executive. Mangione told the court, “I shot Mr. Thompson and he died,” and added, “I knew what I was doing was illegal.” His federal sentencing is set for December 18.
Who is Karen Friedman Agnifilo and what did she do before defending Luigi Mangione?
Karen Friedman Agnifilo is a New York criminal defence lawyer with more than three decades of experience in the US justice system. Before moving into private practice, she spent years as a prosecutor at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
From 2014 to 2021, she served as Chief Assistant District Attorney under former Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. The position made her the second-highest-ranking lawyer in the office. According to her law firm, she supervised about 1,500 employees and managed a budget of more than $120 million.
Her work involved major investigations and prosecutions, giving her experience on the other side of the courtroom from where she stands today. She was also involved in efforts to develop specialised units dealing with crimes including terrorism, hate crimes, human trafficking and cybercrime.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo’s career in law, media and television
After leaving public service, Agnifilo moved into private practice, where she handles criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts. She is currently of counsel at Agnifilo Intrater LLP.
Her legal career has also taken her into television and podcasts. She worked as a CNN legal analyst from 2022 to 2024 and has appeared as a legal commentator on high-profile cases. She also serves as a legal consultant for Law & Order and has co-hosted the legal podcast Legal AF.
Agnifilo studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, before earning her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1992. Her long career in prosecution and defence has made her a familiar face in major US legal stories.
Also Read: No death penalty for Luigi Mangione over United health insurance CEO murder
Why is Karen Friedman Agnifilo important in Luigi Mangione’s case?
Agnifilo became Mangione’s lead lawyer after he was accused of killing Brian Thompson in December 2024. Since then, she has handled a case involving both federal and New York state charges.
Her defence team secured an important federal ruling earlier this year when prosecutors lost the ability to seek the death penalty against Mangione. A New York judge also dismissed the terrorism-related murder charge in the state case, leaving Mangione facing a second-degree murder charge there.
Friday’s guilty plea changes the federal case but does not automatically end the separate state prosecution. Mangione is still due to face the New York murder case, with jury selection scheduled for September 8. His lawyers could now argue that the state case should be dismissed on double-jeopardy grounds, although that issue would have to be decided by the court.
During Friday’s hearing, Agnifilo confirmed there was no plea agreement with the government and no agreed sentencing range. Mangione could face life in prison under the federal charges, while the judge will decide his final sentence.
