Karen Howell

Karen Howell brings over two decades of legal experience and a fierce dedication to advocacy and justice to her dual roles as Director of Record Sealing and Expungements and Director of the New Jersey Practice Group at the National Security Law Firm. A seasoned public defender and expert in therapeutic jurisprudence, Karen’s career has been defined by her unwavering commitment to clients navigating the criminal justice system—particularly those facing mental health and substance use challenges.

Karen most recently served as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender II with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, where she managed the Essex County Recovery Court. In this capacity, she advised clients and attorneys on eligibility for diversionary programs, advocated for admittance and treatment of clients with co-occurring disorders, and represented individuals throughout the entirety of the Recovery Court process—from plea negotiations to termination hearings. She developed a reputation for pushing for fair outcomes and advancing innovative legal arguments in support of alternative sentencing and rehabilitation-focused justice.

Her earlier roles included representing individuals in Essex County’s Adult Trial Region and Mental Health Unit, where she worked tirelessly to secure treatment-based outcomes over incarceration for clients with psychiatric and developmental disorders. She also provided legal advocacy for children involved in abuse and neglect cases as part of the Law Guardian program, further showcasing her holistic and compassionate approach to the law.

In addition to her extensive litigation experience, Karen is a trusted leader and mentor. She has supervised legal and social work interns, fostered collaborative relationships with treatment providers and state agencies, and worked closely with judges, prosecutors, and probation officers to ensure best practices are upheld across the board.

Karen’s extensive background in expungements—identifying and guiding eligible individuals through the process of clearing their records—makes her uniquely suited to lead the firm’s Record Sealing and Expungements division. She brings a nuanced understanding of the systemic barriers clients face and a strong belief in second chances.

Karen earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law–Newark in 2001 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She has been a member of the New Jersey Bar since 2002.

At the National Security Law Firm, Karen is proud to continue her mission of delivering transformative legal services that not only protect clients’ rights but also restore their futures.