About Karl
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois where I learned the value of hard work at an early age. My summers were spent working in a factory on the Southside of Chicago, where I learned how to weld and drive a forklift before I was old enough to get a driver’s license. I’m proud of my blue-collar upbringing and credit it with my grit and determination to get through tough times and accomplish many goals in my life.
After graduating from college, I returned to the factory for a brief time, but decided to pursue my dream of becoming a United States Marine. I attended Officer Candidate School in 1990, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and was later designated an artillery officer and sent to Okinawa, Japan for duty with Kilo Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marines. Upon completion of my tour in Okinawa, I transferred to Camp Pendleton, California where I served as Executive Officer of Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion 11th Marines. From here, I applied for flight training.
After training in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas, I was awarded my Naval Aviator Wings and assigned to VMGR 252 as a KC130 Pilot and stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina in 1994. In 1998, I left active duty to attend law school in Chicago at Loyola University. I remained in the Reserves and flew in an Air Force Reserve unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pay my way through law school.
After law school, I rejoined the Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to VMGR 452 as a KC130 Pilot and stationed in Newburgh, New York. It was from here that I was deployed to Iraq twice where I flew combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Air Medal.
Upon separation from the Marines, I focused on starting a family and building my law practice in Chicago. However, my time spent in the Marines in North Carolina convinced me that this was the best place to raise and educate my children, so we relocated, and I have now been a North Carolina resident for over sixteen years…one of the best decisions I ever made. I consider it a privilege to live in one of the greatest states in America, with friendly people, safe neighborhoods and great schools. I didn’t bring liberal Chicago politics to North Carolina, I’m a Ronald Reagan Republican (who actually voted for him) and I love this state and truly appreciate the independence, grit and “can do” spirit of the people and I’m proud to call North Carolina home.
Legal Career
During law school I worked as a law clerk for the Cook County States Attorney Office located at 26th and California. My job was to support the prosecutors who were working felony cases ranging from drug trafficking to first degree murder. One of the takeaways from that experience was that most of the accused had long criminal histories, rarely was the first violent offense a murder. The concept of deterrence did not seem to be working, because violent criminals were not being punished. Which is exactly why the laws as written must be enforced for the protection of the people.
Over the course of my 23-year career, I have worked for law firms performing both plaintiff and defense counsel. I have owned my own law firm for 19 years and have litigated cases throughout the United States in both state and federal court. I’ve argued before Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson when she sat on the D.C. Circuit, I’ve represented clients as court appointed defense counsel in child support enforcement actions in the family courts of Wake County, and I’ve mediated and settled hundreds of cases between litigants from all walks of life.
I’m a strong supporter of Veterans causes and Law Enforcement, a retired youth soccer coach, avid outdoorsman, and proud father.
Education and Bar Admissions
Education
J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 2001
B.S., Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, 1987
NC DRC Family Financial Mediator
NC DRC Superior Court Mediator
Bar Admissions
Illinois 2001
North Carolina 2007
District of Columbia 2004
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois 2001
U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina 2022
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals of Illinois 2018
U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit 2002
U.S. Supreme Court 2007