Karen is a senior associate at Stafford Frey Cooper. In 2010 and 2011 she was selected as a Rising Star for Washington StateSuper Lawyers. Her practice emphasizes estate planning, probate administration, and estate/TEDRA litigation as well as the defense of governmental agencies & their officers for allegations of police misconduct and civil rights violations.
Ms. Cobb has represented numerous law enforcement officers from various agencies in inquests to law enforcement-involved deaths, with findings in favor of the officers in all of her cases. In addition, she developed and presented a training program to assist officers dealing with officer-involved fatalities.
On the probate side of her practice, Karen regularly speaks at seminars for lawyers needing to obtain continuing legal education credits. She is also on the lawyer referral list for both AARP and CLC Inc.
Prior to attending law school, Karen worked for seven years in the insurance industry, the majority as an insurance fraud investigator. She was born and raised in Minnesota and migrated to the Pacific Northwest after graduating from university.
Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends - entertaining, traveling, scrap booking, reading, and photography. Karen has served on her church advisory council and is very involved in the women’s ministry and youth ministry programs. She has participated in mission trips to a school for the deaf in Jamaica; trips to San Luis Potosi, Mexico working with inner-city kids; and to Biloxi, Mississippi where she assisted with hurricane relief efforts. Education
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Seattle University
School of Law, J.D. 2003 |
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Magna cum laude |
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University of Minnesota,
Duluth, B.A. (Criminology) 1987 |
Representative Cases
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In re Guardianship Matter, Island County: Karen assisted in representation of a limited guardian in a guardianship matter, drafting a successful motion in the contested matter for full reimbursement of attorney fees. |
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Brumfmield v. City of Seattle, et al.: with Steve Larson, Karen obtained a complete defense verdict in federal court for the City and a Seattle police officer sued for unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress. |
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Price v. City of Seattle, et al.: Karen drafted a successful motion to partially decertify the class of 20,000 members in a multi-million dollar class action regarding vehicles impounded under City of Seattle DWLS ordinance. The ruling reduced the value of the claims by an estimated 75% |
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Yanni v. City of Seattle, et al.: with Ted Buck, Karen obtained a complete defense verdict in federal court for the City and two Seattle police officers sued for unlawful detention, unlawful arrest and excessive force. |
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Washington v. Alvarez, Keller, and Baldwin: Karen assisted Anne Bremner in the representation of a King County Sheriff's deputy who was charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment of a police informant. After a hung jury, the prosecutor's office declined to re-file charges and the deputy was returned to active duty. |
Memberships and Service
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Washington
State Bar Association |
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King
County Bar Association |
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Christian Legal Society |
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Washington Women
Lawyers |
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Defense Research
Institute |
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Washington Defense
Trial Lawyers Association |
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