We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
About Karolyn
Biography
An experienced negotiator and litigator, Karolyn’s practice focuses primarily on trust and estate disputes, complex business disputes, and disputes between members of closely held companies.
Clients come to Karolyn for her compassionate advocacy and insightful counsel while working in their best interest. Highly regarded as a top trust and estate litigator in Washington, Karolyn uses her long-standing, well-established relationships with other leading attorneys in her field to avoid litigation and resolve matters early. When a case cannot be settled, she is a seasoned litigator--with a demonstrated track record on behalf of her clients.
In her 22 years of private practice, Karolyn has handled cases on behalf of fiduciaries, beneficiaries, charities, major corporations, closely held businesses, and individual parties.
Karolyn also serves as a mediator in numerous and varied cases, helping attorneys achieve settlements for their clients and avoid ongoing fees, costs, trials and appeals.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 25 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
Stokes Lawrence
1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3000, Seattle, WA, 98101-2393
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Karolyn Ann Hicks's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
Not Yet Reviewed
Karolyn Ann Hicks's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have the pleasure of being on the other side of the line from Karolyn and am always glad to see her. Karolyn is very intelligent and moves her client's cases forward in an efficient and focused manner. A great attorney to have involved in a case."
"I endorse this lawyer. Karolyn is honest and responsive, has a practical streak a mile wide, and is very smart. To top it off, she has a great sense of humor and a pleasant casual style."
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Experience
Honors
2025
The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2023
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2022
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2021
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2020
Lawyer of the Year for Trust & Estates Litigation, Best Lawyers
2020
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2019
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Washington, Washington Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2018
Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers
2017
Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
2017
Top 50 Women Lawyers, Washington Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2017
Best Lawyers in America, Woodward-White, Inc.
2016
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2015
Top Rated Lawyer in Trust & Estates, American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Top 50 Women Lawyers, Washington Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Women Lawyers, Washington Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2013
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
2012
Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers
2011
Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers
2008
Outstanding Young Lawyer, King County Bar Association
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Shareholder, Stokes Lawrence
2000 - 2008
Attorney, Stokes Lawrence
Associations
Litigation Sub-Committee of the Washington State Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section
Member
Litigation Sub-Committee of the Washington State Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section quarterly newsletter "The Codicil"
Editor
King County Bar Association Neighborhood Clinics
Volunteer Attorney
2009 - 2011
Q-LAW Judicial Evaluation CommitteeMember
2007 - 2008
King County Bar Association's Neighborhood Legal Clinics CommitteeMember
2006 - 2008
King County Bar Association's Young Lawyers DivisionBoard of Trustees and Current Events
2001 - 2004
ACLU of WashingtonCooperating Attorney
2000 - 2005
ACLU of WashingtonBoard of Directors
Education
2000
American University, Washington College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
Pennsylvania State University, University Park (main campus)
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2023
Hot Topics in Guardianship & Elder Law CLE
VAPA/APS Overlap re: Financial Exploitation & Slayer/Abuser Statute
2022
Stokes Lawrence Presents: Webinar Series
Trust & Estate Disputes
2022
King County Bar Association
TEDRA at 22 - Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act
2020
WSBA 17th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar
Select Ethical Considerations in Trust & Estate Litigation
2018
2018 Real Property, Probate & Trust Midyear
Trust and Estate Litigation After Rathbone: Jurisdiction, Standing, and Other Considerations
2018
15th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar
What Not To Do: Real Life Ethical Violations in Trust & Estate Practices
2017
WSBA Practice Primer: Estate Planning
TEDRA
2017
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Probate
The Miracle of TEDRA
2016
Personal Estate Planning for the 99%,
Post-Death Disputes With Partners, Shareholders or Members in Closely Held Businesses
2016
2016 Real Property, Probate & Trust Midyear
Attorney's Fees in Probate, Guardianships and Estate Litigation
2015
Maintaining a Balance: Ethics & Probate Litigation
Nuts & Bolts of TEDRA
2013
Divorce, Washington Style: Exploring the Unique Financial Aspects of Marriage Dissolution
When Death & Divorce Collide - Examining Wills & Estates
2013
2013 Real Property, Probate & Trust Midyear
E-Discovery Issues in Litigation
2013
10th Annual Trust & Estate Litigation Seminar
Can You Do That Under TEDRA?
2012
Intellectual Property Section
Handling the Difficult Client
2012
CLE
The 9th Annual Trust & Estate Litigation Seminar
2011
Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Midyear
Handling the Difficult Client
2011
CLE
The 8th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar
2011
Advanced Issues in Elder Law CLE
Introduction to Fiduciary Duties
2010
CLE
The 7th Annual Trust and Estate Litigation Seminar
2008
Best of CLE: Encore of Excellence
E-Discovery Issues in Trust & Estate Litigation
Publications
2020
Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration in Washington, Chapter 4
Issues Involving Beneficiaries
2020
StokesLaw Briefs
Kindred of the Half-Blood: Not a Harry Potter Book
2017
WSBA Real Property Probate and Trust Section Newsletter
Get Your Business Dispute Out of My TEDRA
2014
King County Bar Bulletin
Talking TEDRA
2014
Stokes Law Briefs
Will Contests: To File or Not to File? That is the Question
2014
2014
Stokes Law Briefs
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Family Controversy in Trusts and Estates
2012
Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Newsletter
A TEDRA Litigator's Advice on How Best to Defend Against a Challenge to Documents you Draft
2011
Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Newsletter
Teach Those Children Well: Successor Fiduciary Administration (and Litigation)
2010
37 Real Property & Trust, Washington State Bar Association
Who Gets the Proceeds of Life Insurance
2009
Sixth Annual Trust & Estate Litigation CLE
"Insurance Issues in Trust & Estate Litigation"
2005
Washington Probate Deskbook
Estate Disputes