Senior Associate Attorney
Karen brings a wealth of experience to Keller Law Group. Karen served on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a Navy Judge Advocate (JAG) Attorney for 20 years, serving in a variety of billets to include Trial Counsel (Prosecution), Defense Counsel, Appellate Defense Counsel, shipboard Staff Judge Advocate, as well as on a number of Flag staffs. In addition, she served as an instructor at the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island teaching military justice to newly accessed judge advocates, senior officers and students at the Naval War college. Karen further served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia. In that capacity, Karen was the lead prosecutor for Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and worked with ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies. In recognition for her contributions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Karen was the first recipient of the Elizabeth Fitzwater Public Service award.
Following her naval career, Karen served as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Chesapeake. She was the lead Commonwealth’s Attorney on sex offender registration cases and worked closely with Virginia State Police to protect the local community.
Karen’s family law practice combines her extensive military and trial advocacy background with her compassion and ardent representation of her clients. Karen is focused on providing sound legal counsel to clients in the throes of what can be a difficult process while working to achieve their goals.
Activities and Affiliations
Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Beach Bar Association
Education
JD, University of Richmond
BA, Old Dominion University
Bar Admissions
Virginia
Military Awards and Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards)
Navy and Marine Commendation Medal (4 awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards)
Various unit and service awards as well as Surface Warfare Office qualified