Judge Karen Whatley: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Karen Whatley is a judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Arkansas. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Barry Sims (Ret.).

The 6th Judicial Circuit includes Perry and Pulaski Counties.

At the time of her appointment, Whatley was Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Hutchinson and served as his former Director of Legislative and Agency Affairs. Before joining the Governor’s Office, she practiced for four years in the litigation department at Mitchell, Williams, Selig Gates & Woodyard and spent thirteen years as an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas. As a federal prosecutor, Whatley was recognized by multiple federal agencies for her work prosecuting federal criminal cases.

Early in her legal career, she gained experience in criminal law, having worked in private practice alongside, Jack Lassiter.

Whatley received a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University. She went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law.

At the time of her appointment, she resided in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband, Trey, and their four children.