An accomplished litigator, Karoline manages a demanding caseload of asbestos-related personal injury and wrongful death cases in federal and state courts. With 17 years of experience, she has built a reputation for her meticulous approach to case strategy, discovery and trial preparation. 

Recognized for her strategic litigation skills and unwavering dedication to her clients, Karoline spent 17 years at a national asbestos firm representing plaintiffs in asbestos-related cases. More importantly, she played a pivotal role in securing hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients harmed by asbestos exposure. Whether through legal research, motion practice, depositions or courtroom advocacy, Karoline has devoted her career to handling every stage of litigation, becoming a trusted voice in the asbestos litigation field. Her exceptional legal work and commitment to justice earned her the prestigious Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) Young Lawyer of the Year Award in 2016, recognizing her outstanding litigation results and dedication to the legal profession and pro bono service.

Building on her litigation expertise, Karoline most recently served as associate general counsel for the Illinois Education Association (IEA), where she expanded her practice into education, labor and employment law. In this role, she provided advice and counsel on matters involving discrimination, wage and hour disputes, Title IX, constitutional law, and unfair labor practices. She also chaired the Legal Department Training Committee, providing legal education for IEA staff and union members, and served on the ISBA Labor & Employment Law Section Council and Employee Benefits Section Council. 

Karoline has also been widely recognized for her pro bono and community service efforts. She helped spearhead her previous firm’s pro bono program, working with the Madison County Pro Bono Guardian Ad Litem Program and the John Marshall Law School Veteran’s Legal Support Center, earning the Veterans Pro Bono Service Award from the Supreme Court of Illinois in 2009. Additionally, she has served on the ISBA Young Lawyers Division Section Council, helped procure sponsorships for the Children’s Assistance Fund, and was a founding member of the Young Friends of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. Her leadership in pro bono advocacy underscores her deep commitment to expanding access to justice for underserved communities.