Karen Donohue

Seattle Municipal Court

Position Six

OCCUPATION: Judge Pro-Tem in Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Courts and Des Moines Municipal Court.

EDUCATION: Roosevelt High School (Seattle, WA), University of Washington, University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law.

LEGAL & BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: As a Judge Pro-Tem since 1994, Karen has presided over jury and bench trials, pre-trial calendars, in-custody arraignments, bail hearings, criminal motions, sentencing, probation review and revocation hearings and felony declines. Karen has also heard mitigation hearings, contested traffic hearings, photo enforced traffic hearings, small claims trials and motions for anti-harassment and protection orders. Previously, Karen served as a prosecutor in Seattle Municipal Court, where she tried approximately 75 jury trials and over 100 bench trials. She also handled approximately 60 appeals to Superior Court and one appeal to the Court of Appeals. She has been in private practice, and served as General Counsel at a global telecommunications consulting and network development firm. Karen has also been the owner or director of several successful businesses, including a board game company and a hazardous waste clean-up company.

FAMILY: Karen grew up in Seattle, is married and has three children.

STATEMENT: "I'm proud of my reputation as a fair and well-reasoned judge – one who listens carefully to each party and treats everyone that appears before me with courtesy and respect. I'll bring compassion, the highest standard of ethics and a true commitment to justice to the Court."

Karen Donohue, a part-time judge with nearly 25 years of legal experience, is running to bring full-time leadership to Seattle Municipal Court. Karen will bring proven experience, leadership and new energy to the Municipal Court. That’s why she’s earned the highest rating in this position from the Municipal League and been rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by the Joint Asian and Latina/o Bar Associations.

Seattle Municipal Court recently lost one judicial position and is facing additional budget cuts. It’s time for a leader who will bring recognized judicial ability, innovation and smart ideas to make the court respected, more efficient and effective.

The King County Bar Association recently released a survey of district and municipal court judges by attorneys. Karen’s opponent rated 39 of 47 judges. His average rating was "acceptable" and his legal decision making skills were rated between "poor" and "acceptable." In addition, Judge Hurtado has been admonished twice by the commission on judicial conduct, most recently for failing to treat attorneys with patience, courtesy and dignity. The citizens of Seattle deserve better judges.

Karen has earned broad based support from current and former judges, elected officials, attorneys, professors and many community members.

Finance report:

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