Resume – Kathryn Karcher

Areas of Practice

Ms. Karcher has handled appeals and writ proceedings for 30-plus years as lead counsel and has regularly assisted trial counsel with appellate issues in pre- and post-judgment proceedings. She has handled appeals in many areas of civil law.

Ms. Karcher has also done substantial pro bono work, including serving as lead counsel in two pro bono appeals resulting in published decisions and as the principal author of an amicus curiae brief in a third appeal that led to a published decision.

Professional Experience

Principal of Karcher Harmes LLP and Karcher Harmes PS (2010-Present)
Private practice (2008 – 2010)
Chair, Appellate Practice Group, DLA Piper (2005 – 2007)
Partner, DLA Piper and its predecessor Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich
(1995 – 2007)
Associate, Gray Cary Ames & Frye and Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek
(1986 – 1994)

Professional Memberships and Honors

California Academy of Appellate Lawyers (2005 – Present)
President (2015 – 2016)
First Vice-President (2014 – 2015)
Chair, Amicus Curiae Committee (2014 – 2015)
Second Vice-President (2013 – 2014)
Secretary-Treasurer (2012 – 2013)
Chair, Membership Demographic Committee (2019 – 2021)
Chair, Southern California Membership Committee (2011 – 2012)

Master, San Diego Appellate Inn of Court (2017 – Present)
Certified Appellate Specialist, California Board of Legal Specialization (2000 – January 2024)

San Diego Super Lawyers (2007 – 2024)
Super Lawyers Top 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego County (2008, 2010 – 2021)
Top 50 San Diego Super Lawyers (2013, 2015)
Southern California Super Lawyers (2014 – 2015)
Washington Super Lawyers (2011, 2020, 2024)

Lawyer of the Year, San Diego, Best Lawyers in America (2017, 2024)
Best Lawyers in America – Appellate Practice (2006 – 2024)
U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Law Firms” in Appellate Practice (2011 – 2024)

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent (1997 – Present)
Award for Exemplary Service, San Diego County Bar Association (2001)
YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry Award (2003)

Committee on Appellate Courts, State Bar of California (1998 – 2002)
Chair and Vice-Chair (2001 – 2002)
Appellate Law Advisory Commission to the California Board of Legal Specialization (2002 – 2005)
California Supreme Court Historical Society Board of Directors (2003 – 2006)
Founding Member, Gerald Brown Appellate Inn of Court (2002 – 2006)
California Appellate Practice Handbook Chapter Editor (6th and 7th eds.)

San Diego County Bar Association (1986 – Present)
Appellate Practice Section, San Diego County Bar Association (1995 – Present)
Chair and Vice-Chair (2000 – 2001; 2015 – 2016)
Civil Rules Subcommittee Chair and Programs Chair (1998 – 1999; 2014)

King County Bar Association (2007 – 2015, 2017)
Appellate Practice Section, King County Bar Association (2007 – 2015, 2017)

Lawyers Club of San Diego (1987 – 2005, 2008 – 2014)
Board of Directors (1990)
Lawyers Club Magazine Editor (1989)

Admissions

State Bar of California (1986 – Present)
State Bar of Washington (2007 – Present)
Washington D.C. Bar (2007 – 2009)
U.S. Supreme Court (2001 – Present)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2000 – Present)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2002 – Present)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (1987 – Present)

Education

Juris Doctor, University of California Los Angeles School of Law (1986)
Bachelor of Arts, University of California San Diego (1981)

Pro Bono

Seattle Clemency Project (2023 – 2024)
Entente Design, Inc. v. Superior Court (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 385
Gregory v. State Board of Control (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 1341
Lammers v. Superior Court (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 1309, principal author of amicus curiae brief
San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic (1987 – 1989)

Community Service

Special Education Program Council, Bainbridge Island School District (2008 – 2014)
Peninsula Family YMCA
Chair, Board of Directors (2002)
Board of Directors (1998 – 2004)
San Diego Park and Recreation Board (1993 – 1997)