Nicknamed “The Velvet Hammer” by some of her adversaries, Karen is known for her creativity, tenacity and trial skills. Few plaintiff attorneys try more cases than Karen. Success in the courtroom means that Karen enjoys a strong reputation with insurance companies and corporate defendants who would rather opt to value cases properly for settlement instead of risk going to trial against her.
A mother of three school-age daughters, she has a particular place in her heart for representing families who have lost loved ones due to intentional or negligent acts. Among those cases is Kime v. City of Seattle, a wrongful death settlement for Kristopher Kime’s family that found the city responsible for enhancing the danger of the 2001 Seattle Mardi Gras. She has been honored to represent many people and families who have needed help in holding others accountable for preventable harmful acts. And she has been privileged to see laws changed because of the stories of clients whom she has represented.
Karen is a prolific speaker and writer, an author of nationally published legal treatises and an adjunct professor at the University of Washington School of Law.
In addition to serving as President of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (2007-08), she has held leadership positions in the American Association of Justice. A member of the America Board of Trial Advocates, she is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, regularly listed as a Super Lawyer and a top 40 personal injury lawyer by Washington Law & Politics Magazine.
Education
- Seattle University, J.D., 1985
- University of Washington, B.A., 1982
Outside the Office
Karen loves to snow ski and rollerblade, and she runs every day.