Karen has served in executive roles in local law firms since 2005. She is a Certified Legal Manager, a designation earned through the Association of Legal Administrators that recognizes “mastery of the core areas of knowledge identified as essential to the effective performance of a principal administrator.” Karen has hands-on experience in the areas of finance, human resources and operations and is well versed in all aspects of legal and financial management in both large and small firm settings, ensuring accuracy and integrity of firm records and reporting.
Karen served as the 2018-2019 president of the ALA San Diego Chapter after previously serving on the ALASD Board since 2013. She also served on the San Diego Legal Administrators’ Foundation Board and on the Steering Committee of the ALA Couture for a Cause charity event for several years.
Karen earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in English from San Diego State University, as well as two paralegal certificates from the University of San Diego with concentrations in Corporations and Environmental Law. Prior to her graduation from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Karen was a judicial intern for the Hon. Wesley R. Mason; became a Certified Legal Intern, permitting her to appear in court representing clients in dependency, juvenile and criminal courts; and was a court-appointed mediator at the South San Diego County Courthouse.
Prior to becoming a legal administrator, Karen was a law clerk performing substantial client work in the areas of corporate and business matters, legal research and analysis, contracts and dispute resolution, as well as representing material witnesses in federal criminal cases. Karen has expertise in all aspects of corporate formation (both profit and nonprofit), securities compliance, regulatory compliance and filings, shareholders’ and board of directors’ issues and corporate records auditing and updates.
Karen and her husband of more than 30 years have a daughter in college and two large, mischievous dogs. She enjoys volunteering with various charitable organizations, traveling and spending time with her family at their second home in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
Memberships & Community Involvement
- Association of Legal Administrators, San Diego Chapter
- Association of Legal Administrators, CLM Section
- International Legal Technology Association
- National Charity League
- Junior League of San Diego
- Kim Center for Social Balance
- Girl Scouts USA