Gould & Ratner is proud to honor Karin O’Connell on her retirement following an exceptional career spanning nearly 40 years.
Karin began her career with the firm in 1988 as an Associate in the Litigation Practice and was elevated to Partner in 1995. After a period away from the firm, she returned in 2008 as Of Counsel, continuing to play an important role in serving clients and strengthening the firm’s litigation and environmental practices.
Widely respected for her meticulous approach and litigation savvy, Karin was a trusted advisor to clients facing complex commercial disputes and evolving environmental regulations. Her environmental practice included trial work and counseling on matters involving site remediation, permitting, Superfund liability, land use, and regulatory compliance. She also advised clients on environmental issues arising in real estate and corporate transactions, including risk assessment and allocation.
In her commercial litigation practice, Karin represented both closely held and publicly traded companies in a wide range of disputes, including contract matters, real estate disputes, and discrimination claims. She was known for her ability to guide clients through complex legal challenges while helping them anticipate and mitigate risk before issues arose.
“Over the extraordinary course of her 37-year career, Karin has exemplified the highest standards of advocacy, integrity, and leadership,” Managing Partner David Michael shared. “She has not only been a formidable advocate in the courtroom but also a trusted advisor to clients on all-facets of environmental law. Her contributions to the firm’s litigation and environmental practices have left a lasting mark on Gould & Ratner and the clients we serve. While we will certainly miss her sharp instincts and steady judgment, we will miss even more the colleague and friend who contributed to making Gould & Ratner such a great place to work.”
Though Karin is retiring from the practice of law, she may continue to provide counsel on HR investigations.
We are grateful for Karin’s many contributions to Gould & Ratner and the legal community. We wish her health, happiness, and all the best in her retirement.
