We are all gathered. Back in the courtroom. Two and a half hours after closing ended. The presiding juror has handed the verdict up. The judge has read it. Trying to keep face unreadable. Hands it to the bailiff. Who reads it ..read more

On Tuesday mediation failed which means the wrongful death trial will start August 19. Before my mind switches to battle mode, another thought fills my mind. And that thought turns to feelings. And those feelings begin to spread throughout my body. And then I cry ..read more

After Nala died I fled to New York for a few weeks. Partly to visit Noelle but also to avoid being in the house on Queen Anne hill. Where Nala lived with me for 13 of her 16 years. Letting her go was an agonizing process. Could have kept her alive for longer. Could not make the decision. Each time went the vet they asked me to consider her quality of life. Asked me to speak to vets who specialized in helping dogs through their last days. Who helped their guardians. But I did not. Cristina contacted the companies to make appointments. I didn’t follow through. She was okay. She was still Nala ..read more

We drive down the hill to watch the sunset from the beach. Phuong has come for a visit. We first met in the hospital She had just turned 18. Barely escaped death. During the Ride the Duck crash of September 2015. After the duck lost its axle and crossed the center line. Ramming into and through the tour bus full of international students. If Phuong had been sitting one seat back she would not be here today. She was the first person I represented from that crash. And remained the lead plaintiff as 54 more plaintiffs joined her lawsuit. It’s hard to imagine how awful those years were for her. T ..read more

After hearing I was heading back into trial, a lovely friend from kindergarten urged me to retire. What more do you need Karen. What more do you have to prove. You deserve to relax and spend more time being a grandma. All good and valid points. In July will turn 64. Am at the tail end of the boomer generation. Went to a law party last night and it was interesting that so many people asked if I was going to slow down anytime soon. (Answer: No). As a young lawyer, people criticized me for being too brash, driven and irreverent. As a middle age lawyer, the complaints were that I was too non-conf ..read more

Postscript: this is from my trial diary of prophylaxis class action against seattle children’s hospital.  Trial day 3 6:00     Cockadoodle doo.  Wake up.  6:25     Get up and make bed. 6:45     White T. tan lulu shorts.  Pink crock slides. Pink sweater jacket picked up over the weekend once decided to stay another week. 6:50     Put computer and monitor back on kitchen/living area counter.  Adjust stool.  Close all doors which are usually all open.  Turn off pool fountains. Tell ..read more

Thursday Jan. 25, 2024. The seventh day of trial is over in our prophlaxis Aspergillus fungus class action against Seattle Childrens’ Hospital. Walk into the hall and see Alysha Katie Lisa Melanie Furhad Brendon Kassie Julia and some of our BLM peaceful protester clients.  Say:  do you think any of the media will make it. We settled the protest case for $10M the day before.  Actually it had been lingering for a week since the mediation.  When the city agreed to a deal then two stepped before refusing to put it in writing. Double crossers. Then yesterday the city said it wo ..read more

- ABOTA is a plaintiff/defendant trial bar invitation only. Have been a member for about 20 years. But have never felt any particular benefit. The yearly dinner was nice - it is enjoyable to see each other. But the covid pause had me reevaluating why I belonged. Every year they give out a trial lawyer of the year award. Alternating between plaintiff-defendant. This year, for whatever reason I realized there had been at least 10 times ABOTA could have recognized me but hadn’t. At first I thought, well Karen - how ridiculous that you would think that you should get award and be mad that you did ..read more

Aug 7. 2023 Launiopoko Hawaii.  3.2 miles outside of Lahaina proper. Nine of us spend the entire day unloading the 40’ shipping container from Bali and Java that has just arrived after a year’s worth of planning.  Michael and Zoe Matheson had gone to the islands and arranged everything.  At 10 am a trucker drops it off at their cul de sac which is a few blocks up curved around from my house.  Andreas who owns the local landscaping company is operating a forklift.  Jon (contractor and my brother’s best friend since 7th grade) helps to direct the unload with Michael.&nb ..read more

Last week, the City told me that a yard blower was a weapon and grounds for arrest when used by a protester to protect others from tear gas. Number of victims: 0. A few days later, the parents of Summer Taylor gave gut wrenching statements during the sentencing of the drunk (drugs primarily) driver who took their child’s life and almost killed another. Today, I visited the WSDOT criminal wreck yard and examined the carnage left following a drunk hitting a jeep with 3 kids who somehow survived, but were terribly injured. The WSDOT officer who responded to the crash chatted with me while the ex ..read more