Judge Karen Donohue: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

King County Superior Court, Department 22, Courtroom E-1201

Appointed By: Gov. Jay R. Inslee

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 February 28, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 28, 2020

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)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2021

20-1-02201-9

On February 13, 2020 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2020

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)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 10, 2021

CAVALRY SPV I VS THAO

On November 22, 2019 a collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Nov 22, 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)

Court Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 22, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS SCHUTZ, NATALI KAE

On October 30, 2019 a controlled substance violation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 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)

Court Category

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS CLOER, DARRYL THOMAS

On October 30, 2019 a cont subs sched i/ii/iii case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 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)

Court Category

CONT SUBS SCHED I/II/III

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS JOHNSON, BRIAN MICHAEL

On October 30, 2019 a cont subs sched i/ii/iii case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 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)

Court Category

CONT SUBS SCHED I/II/III

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS NELSON, BRYN ADELINE

On October 30, 2019 a controlled substance violation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 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)

Court Category

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS LARSON, KRISTOPER DALE

On October 30, 2019 a controlled substance violation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 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)

Court Category

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2025

CALDWELL VS MARTIN

On October 11, 2019 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Oct 11, 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)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 25, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS WOODEN, THADIOUS ANDREW

On September 24, 2019 a take vehicle w/o permission-2 case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 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)

Court Category

TAKE VEHICLE W/O PERMISSION-2

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 27, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS BLACKWOOD, JOSHUA RAY

On September 20, 2019 a cont sub-possess no prescript case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 20, 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)

Court Category

CONT SUB-POSSESS NO PRESCRIPT

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 27, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS ARKHIPCHUK, PETR LEONIDOVICH

On September 13, 2019 a comm w/minor-immoral purposes case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 13, 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)

Court Category

COMM W/MINOR-IMMORAL PURPOSES

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 27, 2025

PROGRESSIVE DIRECT INS CO VS BENDER

On September 5, 2019 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 05, 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)

Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS CARTER, MALIA MYNETTE

On September 4, 2019 an organized retail theft-2 case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Sep 04, 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)

Court Category

ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT-2

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2025

TD BANK USA VS VINEYARD

On August 26, 2019 a collection 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)

Court Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2025

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)

Court Category

Vulnerable Adult Protection Order

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS HAYES, SHELTON LAMAR

On August 26, 2019 a cont sub-possess no prescript case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 26, 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)

Court Category

CONT SUB-POSSESS NO PRESCRIPT

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2025

DISCOVER BANK VS DANIEL

On August 22, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 22, 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)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS BARLESE, BRYAN GABRYAL

On August 20, 2019 a residential burglary unlawful case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 20, 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)

Court Category

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY UNLAWFUL

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2025

BERNARDO VS STATE OF WASHINGTON

On August 13, 2019 a relief from duty to register case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 13, 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)

Court Category

Relief from Duty to Register

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2025

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INC VS LIM

On August 9, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 09, 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)

Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS JOHNSON, JONATHAN CHARLES

On August 8, 2019 a burglary 2nd degree case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 08, 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)

Court Category

BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2025

RED MILL I CONDOMINIUM OWNERS ASSN VS SOMMERWERCK ET AL

On August 6, 2019 a foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Karen Donohue presiding.

Filed

Aug 06, 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)

Court Category

Foreclosure

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 02, 2025

TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP VS JONES

On July 26, 2019 a collection 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)

Court Category

Collection

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 02, 2025

Discover if Hon. Donohue is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

View Analytics Dashboard

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 J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1987 B.A., University of Washington	J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1987 B.A., University of Washington

Documents related to Karen Donohue

FNFCL - Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

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