Karen J. King is a skilled courtroom advocate with over 30 years of experience spanning the areas of general tort, medical malpractice, eminent domain, environmental, fraud, prisoner litigation, immigration, civil rights, employment discrimination, and government program litigation, workers’ compensation and insurance defense, municipal and police liability, and collections. Karen has represented private companies, municipalities, and the interests of the United States. She served the Western District of Louisiana for almost 24 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Over an 8 year period, Karen recovered approximately $75 million on behalf of the United States due to health care and other government program fraud. In addition to health care fraud, she has successfully tried cases involving medical malpractice, employment discrimination, and auto and other accidents, involving hypoxic and traumatic brain injuries. Karen has also represented local and federal law enforcement defending Section 1983 and Bivens actions. 

Karen is a community advocate and leader who is committed to using influence to inspire leadership and connect people and ideas for positive community change. She serves as a Board Director for the Community Foundation of Acadiana and the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. Karen also serves on the board of the Ivy Legacy Foundation of Acadiana, Inc.

Karen is a Past President of the Lafayette Bar Association (2020-2021) and the Federal Bar Association, Lafayette/Acadiana Chapter (2019). Karen is also a Past President of the Louis A. Martinet Society of Greater Lafayette (2013-2014). She served the Federal Bar Association (FBA) as the Chair of the Federal Career Services Division. Karen is a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association, where she recently ended her service as a Board Director (2019-2025). Karen is also a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

Karen is a Junior League of Lafayette Sustainer and former Board Member (2013-2014, 2022-2024). She currently serves as the Sustaining Advisor to the League’s Impact & Research Committee.

Karen prioritizes mentorship and serves as a mentor for The 705. She implemented The Grit Project, a Grit & Growth Mindset program for the Lafayette Bar Association in 2022. And, as a  member of Women of Wisdom, Karen helped lead the Girl Magic mentoring program at Lafayette Middle School from 2023-2024. She is also a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), and Past President of the Eta Chi Omega Chapter (2002, 2015-2016). Karen served Eta Chi Omega as its inaugural Leadership Development Chairman from 2021-2024, where she implemented a comprehensive four-year leadership development program. She also served as a Graduate Advisor to the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2019-2020), mentoring over 90 college women. 

Karen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English from Louisiana State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from LSU School of Law.

Personally, Karen has been married for over 30 years to Adrian King and is the proud mother of Peyton and John. When she is not working or volunteering, you can find Karen cheering on the LSU Tigers in Tiger Stadium.

Awards and Commendations: 

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana:

Outstanding Defensive Litigation Award, Handy v. U.S. (2024); Outstanding Achievement Award, U.S. ex rel. Throgmorton v. Shreveport Prosthetics, Inc. (2020); Commendation from U.S. Department of Justice, the Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. v. Citgo Petroleum Corp. (2011); U.S. Department of Agriculture Recognition Award, Doerle Food Services, Inc.  v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (2006).

Community:

American Cancer Society, Spirit of Hope Honoree (2026); Girl Scouts of Louisiana – Pines to the Gulf, Women of Distinction Honoree (2025); Junior League of Lafayette, Sustainer of the Year (2024) and Outstanding Volunteer (2024); United Way of Acadiana, Women Who Mean Business Honoree (2022); Top 20 Under 40 (2005); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Chi Omega Chapter, Member of the Year (2002).