Attorney Profiles

Associate attorney Karen Skantze combines passion and commitment with outstanding speaking and writing skills.

Karen joined Lutz Law following three years on the faculty of Seattle University School of Law. The courses she taught reveal her strengths.

She taught the Moot Court Seminar class and worked with the National Moot Court and American Bar Association appellate teams. "Oral advocacy skills are critical to winning difficult cases, whether they involve child custody or spousal maintenance," says Lutz Law Founder David Lutz. "Karen began developing her oral advocacy skills as early as high school, and she continued improving them in law school when she placed eighth at the National Moot Court competition. It is one reason why Karen is a persuasive advocate for her clients."

"Karen also taught legal writing. Written advocacy skills are as important to family law hearings as oral skills are to family law trials," Lutz says. "Karen is a consummate writer. She taught others how to win cases by writing in a way that convinces judges."

Karen realized she wanted to become an attorney years ago when she interned at a San Francisco law firm specializing in civil litigation. "I really enjoyed the pace and the issues, and the idea of coming to the aid of those who couldn't help themselves, she says." She later worked as a Rule 9 Prosecutor with the City Prosecutor's Office in Everett, Washington, and also researched and drafted ordinances for the civil division of the same office.

Karen graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law. Family law appeals to her in part because she has gone through a divorce herself.

"Experiencing divorce has helped me be a better lawyer," she believes. "I understand the client point of view, including the stress associated with that kind of life change and the relief an attorney can provide a client by handling the numerous details associated with a divorce in a dependable and respectful way. I aggressively pursue my clients' cases, but I'm also a dependable and reliable person for them at a challenging time. I want to make complex circumstances easier to deal with."

Karen's organizational talent comes in part from her time as assistant director of admissions for Whitman College, her undergraduate alma mater in Walla Walla. In her free hours she likes to dance, play pool, cook, golf and spend time with friends and family.