Karen Hickey is an experienced federal attorney with over two decades of work focused on civil litigation, regulatory compliance, and national security law. Prior to joining the National Security Law Firm, Karen served as a Senior Counsel in the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Courts Litigation Section, where she handled a wide range of matters, including federal employment cases. Karen managed cases through all phases of litigation, from initial assessments and witness interviews, to writing motions, responding to discovery requests, preparing witnesses for depositions and for trial, and assisting Department of Justice attorneys at trials in federal district courts. Karen also partnered with DOJ attorneys to handle cases before federal courts of appeals, including matters of first impression and complex litigation matters related to agency authorities. In 2024, Karen earned two awards from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for excellence in litigation efforts. Karen also received the Gillian Flory Memorial Award, given annually to one outstanding attorney in TSA’s Chief Counsel’s Office for empathy and excellence in the practice of law.
Prior to her lengthy tenure at TSA, Karen worked to protect consumer rights at the Federal Trade Commission and secure aviation passenger rights at the Department of Transportation. In those roles, Karen ensured regulatory compliance and fair treatment for individuals who experienced discrimination and unfair practices. Her litigation experience began when she served as a pro se law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and as an honors attorney for the Department of Transportation. Through her federal attorney roles, Karen developed a keen appreciation for the tremendous value that each individual brings to a public service career. This insight guides Karen’s core philosophy, which is to strive for the best possible outcomes in the matters she handles.
Karen graduated cum laude from the Antonin Scalia School of Law, where she served as an associate editor on the George Mason Law Review, participated in the Inns of Court, and worked as a Legal Research & Writing Fellow. Karen received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Virginia Tech. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Karen has spent most of her life living in Virginia, where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Outside the practice of law, Karen enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, and volunteering for her daughters’ schools.