ABOUT KAREN
With years of experience as a Public Defender specializing in criminal defense and child support law, Karen F. Nance brings a rare blend of precision, empathy, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her work extends beyond the courtroom, where she is also a skilled mediator, licensed private investigator, published author, restorative justice facilitator, and public speaker dedicated to equity and empowerment.
Karen earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her J.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She has long represented underserved communities with compassion and tenacity, while also serving as a trusted advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Deeply committed to alternative pathways to justice, Karen has extensive training and hands-on experience in mediation and restorative practices. She honed her mediation skills through a Court Mediation Practicum in Alameda County’s Small Claims and Civil Harassment Courts, as well as through training with the Northern California Mediation Center and SEEDS Community Resolution Center.
As an author, Karen channels her storytelling prowess into uncovering and reimagining intricate historical narratives. Her work uplifts voices long silenced and invites readers to reflect, grow, and act. Having lived in East Africa and traveled extensively in West, Central and North African, she brings a global lens to her advocacy and writing-bridging cultures and communities through dialogue, education, and restorative engagement.
Whether mediating conflict, uncovering truth as an investigator, or illuminating forgotten histories, Karen’s mission remains the same: to amplify voices, foster healing, and speak truth to power-in all its forms.
