Karen Washington

AV rated attorney focused on employment, business, commercial and probate issues. Helping individuals and businesses navigate through the complexities of the law, largely through the use of dispute resolution options.

Experience

Ms Washington has mediated over 2000 cases and arbitrated over 200. Examples - Employment related: discrimination and retaliation (Title VII, 1983 & TCHRA), FLSA (including FMLA), ADA (accommodation and discrimination), compensation disputes, noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, other discipline and termination issues. - Concerns related to an ongoing enterprise (for profit or nonprofit) from governance to litigation, including merger & acquisition up to dissolution. - Business disputes such as contract concerns, dissolution or reorganization or property rights. - Insurance including 1st and 3rd party claims, SIR, excess coverage, policy interpretation, property damage and bodily injury. - Real Estate related disputes like landlord-tenant, ownership structures, construction, and business injuries.

Work History

Texas A & M School of Law, ADR Professor 2016 - present; SMU ADR Professor 2022, 1999 -2000; Roberts Washington Law Firm 2016 - Present; Previously Thorpe, Hatcher & Washington PLLC (20+ yrs) Managing Partner; Godwin Bowman PC (7+ years) shareholder; City of Dallas (1 yr) Asst. City Attorney; Texas Fifth Ct. App. at Dallas (1 yr) Law Clerk/Briefing Attorney.

Training

Arbitration Training: American Arbitration Association; NASD; State Bar of Texas; Dallas Bar Association; Arbitrator Study Group. Mediator Training: Dallas Bar Association; CDR; AMI; State Bar of Texas.

License(s)

United States Supreme Court Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals State Bar of Texas US District Courts (Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas)

Education

University of Texas at Austin School of Law - JD Texas Tech University - BA Spanish (magna cum laude and graduated in 3 years)

Publications

Publications and Presentations: “Mediators’ Top Tips to Counsel for Best Mediation Results,” Bench Bar Conference, Dallas Bar Association, September 2022 “Building a Justice System for the Internet: Online Dispute Resolution,” Moderator, Dallas Bar Association, February 2022 “’Winning’ at Personal Injury Mediation: Perspectives from Either Side of the Aisle,” Moderator, Dallas Bar Association, March 2021 “What Do I Do Here? A Discussion of Ethical Issues Mediation,” Dallas Bar Association, August 2021 “Confidentiality Issues in Mediation,” Dallas Bar Association, November 2020 “Boundaries! Boundaries!” Association of Attorney Mediators, September 2020 “Feedback From Arbitration Parties,” DFW Arbitration Study Group, September 2020 “Impact of Covid-19 on ADR - Panel,” Dallas Bar Association, April 2020 “Arbitration - A Closer Look,” William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court, February 2020 “Ethical Issues in Mediation: Know the Boundaries,” The Advocate, Vol. 89, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, Winter 2019 “Mediation Ethics,” DFW Chapter, NELA, Fall 2019 “Make Mediation Count: Effective Advocacy,” Advanced Employment Law Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2018. “Arbitration Case Law Update,” National Employment Law Association, June 2017 “Employment Law for the Small Business Community,” Dallas Business Association, February 2017 “Tips for Mediation Success,” DFW NELA “Employment Rights You Thought You Had, But Don’t,” Community presentation

Awards

For almost 30 years, Ms. Washington has been an aV rated lawyer recognized by her peers for providing services with the highest level of ethics and ability. She was awarded Life Membership in the Uniform Law Commission, Life fellow status in the Texas and Dallas Bar Associations. She has been twice recognized as a Community Service Superstar by Altrusa Downtown Dallas.

Panels

American Arbitration Association, Commercial and Employment Law panels FINRA, Securities and Employment panels, chair qualified Dallas Area Rapid Transit Trial Board Hearing Officers Texas Education Agency, Independent Hearing Examiners

Associations

State Bar of Texas (Life Fellow); College of Commercial Arbitrators (Fellow); Texas Mediator Credentialing Association - Distinguished Credentialed Mediator; Uniform Law Commission - Texas Delegation (Life Member) American Law Institute; National Association of Distinguished Neutrals and Texas Chapter; Association of Attorney Mediators; Dallas Bar Association -- ADR Section Chair (Life Fellow); Bench-Bar Committee Co-chair; William \"Mac\" Taylor American Inn of Court -- Leadership Council (Program Chair) Arbitrator Study Group.

Miscellaneous

For fun: Visited 40 countries and 48 states; Hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail; Served as a Cruise Ship Lecturer on Mayan Culture and History. Community Service: Altrusa International of Downtown Dallas, Inc., Service organization, Past President. Volunteering to train better lawyers for the future: NITA Deposition Program Faculty for many years; UNT College of Law – Affiliate Professor, Practice Course; UNT College of Law – LA Bedford Mentor.