Karen is a Lawrence native and is happy to have her family back in Lawrence. She is representing clients from northeast Kansas in areas of family law/divorce and the defense of criminal cases.
Karen has spent her career fighting and negotiating for her clients. Her legal career began at the public defender’s office in Johnson County, Kansas, where she defended clients charged with primarily felony crimes, such as Aggravated Assault, Attempted Murder, Robbery, Theft, Forgery, DUI, and Criminal Damage to Property. During this time, Karen had the opportunity to attend the prestigious National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute in Macon, Georgia, to refine and advance her jury trial skills.
After gaining significant courtroom experience in Johnson County, Karen worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Douglas County, where she prosecuted cases involving domestic disputes. At the District Attorney’s Office, Karen handled domestic disputes bench trials, jury trials, or through diversion agreements. Karen sought to find a resolution that would enable all parties to co-parent effectively, while getting needed services for the conflict and issues within the relationship.
Most recently, Karen worked in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she represented victims of domestic violence in protective order hearings, and assisted with answering legal questions related to divorce, custody, paternity, grandparent’s rights, and criminal charges. She also conducted a class called “Court School” for victims and families representing themselves in court proceedings.
Not only is Karen a skilled litigator, but she graduated from law school with a program of concentrated study in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She knows that the ability to negotiate, strategize, and resolve a case are invaluable skills in all areas of the law—and particularly in the areas of divorce and other domestic disputes. Karen works with clients to strategize how best to resolve their disputes and facilitate their goals, aided by a keen understanding of how the judicial system functions inside and out.
When she is not in the courtroom, meeting with clients in the office, or researching legal issues, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
