Judge Karen Donohue - Professional Background & Legal Expertise

Biography

The Hon. Karen Donohue is a judge for the King County Superior Court in Washington. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee in 2018, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Hollis Hill.

Prior to her appointment, Donohue sat as the presiding judge of the Seattle Municipal Court (2011 to 2018). She also served as a Pro Tem Judge for the King County District Court and the Des Moines Municipal Court.

Donohue earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington. She then completed a J.D. at the Seattle University School of Law in 1987.

After graduating from law school, Donohue entered into private practice as an associate at Bird & Percival. She spent the next two years with the firm, eventually leaving to become an Assistant City Attorney for the Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.

Donohue returned to private practice in 1994, this time as a sole practitioner in her own private practice. Then, in 1996, she became general counsel for the Walter Group (1996 to 1999) and Meteor Mobile Communications (1998 to 1999).

In 2001, Donohue switched gears. She began working as a consultant for Front Porch Classics (2001 to 2004) and Adventure Boys (2006 to 2007) before becoming a co-founder of FunHub Creative (2008 to 2010). During this time, she was responsible for contract negotiation, business administration, and regulatory and compliance matters.

Her memberships have included the Board of the National Association of Women Judges, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Washington State Supreme Court Gender & Justice Commission (Incarcerated Women & Children Committee), and the Washington State Pretrial Reform Task Force.

She is a recipient of the Judge William Nevins Award from the Washington Judges Foundation and the Justice Vaino Spencer Leadership Award from the National Association of Women Judges.

Recent Cases by Hon. Karen Donohue

20-1-00478-9

On January 11, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2021

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2021

20-1-02201-9

On January 7, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2021

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Feb 10, 2021

KYJ INTL VS CUSTOM COLD ET ANO

On March 4, 2020 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Mar 04, 2020

Status

Relief Denied

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LADLEY VS SOLID GROUND WASHINGTON INC

On February 10, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

DUNN vs LE ET AL

On February 10, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

QUIROGA LEDESMA vs BANKS

On February 10, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

SWEETEN vs STEVENSON

On February 10, 2020 a quiet title case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Quiet Title

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

CAVALRY SPV I vs LEROUE

On January 27, 2020 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 27, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

GALBREATH VS DIRE

On January 21, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 21, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS CADWELL, DONALD ALLEN JR

On January 15, 2020 a take vehicle w/o permission-2 case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

TAKE VEHICLE W/O PERMISSION-2

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ISMAIL ET AL VS EASTSIDE FOR HIRE ET AL

On January 3, 2020 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 03, 2020

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KIM VS CHANGELA

On January 2, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jan 02, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LVNV FUNDING VS GARCIA

On October 10, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 10, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LVNV FUNDING VS AVELAR

On September 11, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 11, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LVNV FUNDING VS ALNESS

On September 10, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 10, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CROWN ASSET MANAGEMENT VS JONES

On September 10, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 10, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KANG VS CHAVEZ RAMIREZ

On September 3, 2019 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 03, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY VS GOMEZ

On August 28, 2019 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 28, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

IN RE ELIZABETH PITROF /VULNERABLE ADULT

On August 26, 2019 a vulnerable adult protection order case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 26, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Vulnerable Adult Protection Order

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CAVALRY SPV I VS BOWMAN

On August 19, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 19, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LVNV FUNDING VS AMAYA

On July 29, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jul 29, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS MITCHELL, ALEXANDER TODD

On July 26, 2019 an assault-3 substantial pain - dv case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jul 26, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

ASSAULT-3 SUBSTANTIAL PAIN - DV

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS ARMSTRONG, JORDAN

On July 24, 2019 an assault-4 penalty - dv case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jul 24, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

ASSAULT-4 PENALTY - DV

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS AYERS, OLIVER LEROY

On July 24, 2019 a harassment-prev conv dth thrt felon - dv case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Jul 24, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Karen Donohue 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Karen Donohue

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

HARASSMENT-PREV CONV DTH THRT FELON - DV

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

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About

Karen Donohue
Current Appointment King County Superior Court, Department 22, Courtroom E-1201	King County Superior Court, Department 22, Courtroom E-1201
Previous Appointment Seattle Municipal Court	Seattle Municipal Court
Education B.A., University of Washington J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1987	B.A., University of Washington J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1987

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - King County Superior Court
Previous Court:	WA - Seattle Municipal Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (206) 477-3720

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Associate	Bird & Percival	None
Assistant City Attorney	Office of the Seattle City Attorney	King County, Washington
Sole Practitioner	Private Practice	King County, Washington
General Counsel	Walter Group	King County, Washington
In-House Counsel	Meteor Mobile Communications	Dublin, Ireland
Director	Front Porch Classics	None
Consultant	Adventure Boys	None
Managing Member	FunHub Creative	King County, Washington
Judge	Seattle Municipal Court	King County, Washington
Judge	Superior Court of Washington	King County, Washington