Incoming KCBA President Karen Orehoski’s strongest roots lie in two starkly different geographies — Pittsburgh, the city of bridges built from the industrial spirit of steel, and Utah, where mountains and deserts and canyons stand in the timeless spirit of nature.
Karen’s great grandparents emigrated to America from Eastern Europe at the turn of the century. They all settled in Pittsburgh to make their new life. In those early 20th century years, the steel industry touched nearly every family’s life in some way, including her own. Karen’s maternal grandfather was a farmer and coal miner beginning when he was young. Along with his many brothers he worked hard and dangerous days, mining the fuel that kept the steel forges running. Eventually her grandfather left the mines and worked in the mill. Karen’s paternal grandfather was a metallurgist for US Steel — the dominant steel company for the United States and the world. In the next generation, Karen’s father was an attorney for US Steel in Pittsburgh when she was born. Karen’s extended family were all “Yinzers” — an endearing term Pittsburghers use to refer to each other.
When Karen was three years old her family moved to Utah for her father’s job. Compared to the East Coast, Utah in the late 1970s was quite a culture change for her family. Instead of being surrounded by extended family and friends as they had been, her family experienced the feeling of being outsiders in a world so different from the one they had left. Although it took time, Karen remembers the deliberate process of finding and building new community in a new place. Her family made a great life for themselves in Utah. In their hearts, however, they remained (and remain) Yinzers.
Utah was also a stark contrast to the industrial landscape her family had left behind. Instead of factories and forges and mills, Karen’s world became one of endless natural beauty and wilderness. Living just minutes from the mountains and the desert — including some of the best skiing and hiking in the world — Karen grew up with a deep love for and connection to the outdoors. As a result, Karen will tell you there is never a bad time of year to be in and connected to nature. She and her husband continue to go to the mountains and wilderness of the West as often as their schedules permit. In addition to skiing, they love hiking and camping and whitewater rafting. For Karen, nature is a calming form of meditation and a source of inspiration. “Being in nature recharges me and lets me come back to work with renewed energy and perspective.”
While pursuing her political science degree at the University of Utah, Karen also developed a deep passion for experiencing live music with her friends, including traveling to see bands like Widespread Panic, Phish and the Grateful Dead, among others. That passion continues to this day. There is never a time when a future concert is not on her calendar. No summer goes by when Karen hasn’t booked at least a weekend or two to travel to see and experience music with her friends.
From a young age Karen knew she wanted to be a lawyer and an advocate for others. Even as a child she believed in fairness, and not just because she is the youngest sibling of three. Karen was always fighting for what was fair and confronting those who acted unfairly to others. Those who know her are not surprised that Karen is never afraid to directly challenge those who act badly. She is comfortable knowing that sometimes conflict is a necessary way to solve problems, and disagreements don’t have to be steeped in animosity. It is that attitude she brings to her job.
In addition to being a fierce advocate for her clients, Karen also enjoys the persuasive and logical elements of practicing law. Every client’s case brings its own facts and personalities. The unique challenge in discovering and presenting each client’s story keeps the practice of law fresh. Unsurprisingly, she was an avid debater in high school, winning many debate tournaments with her teammates throughout the West during high school.
After graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2004, Karen and her partner (now husband) Justin wanted the energy and opportunities of a bigger city while staying close to the mountains and the wilderness. They decided to move to Seattle, a place they had visited but had never lived. These two brand new lawyers arrived in town without nearby family, without jobs and knowing virtually nobody in the legal community. They jumped right in and made their way. Karen immediately joined KCBA.
For her first law job, Karen started in a temporary position in a small Seattle law firm to assist a partner with an upcoming trial. She thought it would give her some experience in the profession while she looked for a permanent position. Little did she expect that she would end up co-chairing that trial. With a victory no less! Of course, Karen’s “temporary” job never ended, and she is now one of two partners in that same firm, along with me.
From that first trial experience Karen discovered she loved being a trial lawyer. She soon learned that personal injury and civil rights cases were her calling and she never looked back. She now represents individuals and families who have suffered serious and life altering traumatic injuries, including brain injury victims. It can often be emotionally demanding work but that doesn’t stop her from loving her job. For Karen, “representing the vulnerable in our society by confronting wrongdoing and helping people repair the damage done in their lives” is the greatest privilege.
Back when she first moved to Seattle, Karen joined KCBA with the express intention of meeting fellow attorneys and becoming part of the legal community. That happened, of course. She also got even more than she expected. Her service and commitment to KCBA runs deep. Since joining as a new lawyer, Karen has been deeply involved with and connected to KCBA. She has chaired the New Lawyers Division and has served on the Board of Trustees. She was elected as the Second Vice President, First Vice President, and now President for the current fiscal year.
Of course, Karen credits KCBA with much more than just her professional development. “Many of my closest friendships have come as a result of my involvement with the KCBA.”
Karen is honored and excited to serve as your President of the Board of Trustees for this coming year.
Although she has made her life on the opposite coast, far from the Steel City in which she was born, Karen still carries her connection to Pittsburgh deep in her heart. She is an unwavering, unapologetic die-hard Steelers fan. When needled about her Steelers loyalty in a Seahawks town, she simply smiles and tells me “I’m used to fighting the good fight.”
