LEGAL CAREER MANAGEMENT - Key Persons

Karen Summerville has over 15 years specialized experience in legal career counseling. Prior to founding Legal Career Management, Karen practiced law for 12 years, becoming a partner in a Seattle law firm, focusing on commercial litigation and participating in associate hiring and training. She then was hired as Vice President of Client Relations with Lee Hecht Harrison, one of the largest outplacement and career-consulting firms in the Untied States. Ms. Summerville is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Washington Law Review. She also served as the Interim Director of UW School of Law Career Services. Since she made the transition within her own career from commercial litigation partner to legal career counselor, Karen has helped 1000+ lawyers in the Seattle metropolitan area find career satisfaction. The Puget Sound Business Journal featured Karen as "the career counselor for counselors. …the years she spent practicing law now help her empathize with the attorneys who seek her advice." Karen Summerville is more than a legal career coach: with her first-hand knowledge of the legal job market, expertise in the best career strategies for attorneys, and empathy for the unique career challenges that lawyers face, Karen will not only help you develop and follow through with an effective career plan, but will be your confidante and cheerleader along the way. In addition to presenting frequent workshops, Karen's column, "Managing Your Legal Career," is a regular feature of the King County Bar Bulletin. If you need help with developing business development strategies and time management within your current practice, want to transition to a different job within the legal field but aren't sure how to start, or are questioning whether or not you even want to practice law at all, Karen can help you navigate your way to career success and satisfaction.