About Karol Brown

Karol Brown advises businesses and families on immigration law.  She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and a law degree from Yale Law School. She founded the Center for Human Rights and Justice at the University of Washington and Seattle University law schools, which enables law students to take on human rights projects for organizations throughout the world. Karol analyzed court congestion and drafted legislation for the creation of Small Claims Courts in the Philippines.

Karol served as an attorney in a class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent the deportation of over 3,000 individuals to Somalia. She served on the Executive Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers of Washington, and organized Continuing Legal Education programs for the organization.  She has worked with the American Bar Association and the Center for Human Rights and Justice at the University of Washington to study detention conditions in immigration facilities.

Karol has also worked as a Policy and Advocacy Director for Hate Free Zone Washington.  In that role, she organized a grassroots voter mobilization and media campaign for immigrant communities. She has consulted for governments, non-profit organizations and major corporations, such as Microsoft's Law and Corporate Affairs, on analyzing processes and implementing solutions.

Community Activities

• American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington Chapter.  Webmaster, 2004-2006.  Secretary and Executive Committee, 2003-2004.  Program Chair and Executive Committee, 2002 - 2003

• Hands to Hearts International: Board President, 2005 – Present. 

• Hate Free Zone Washington: Board Member, 2002 - 2004 and 2006 to Present.

• Immigrant Family Advocacy Project: Advisory Board Member, 2003-2005.  Advisory Board Chair, 2006.

• Center for Human Rights & Justice: Founder and Advisory Board Member, 1999 – 2004.

• Thomas Tang International Moot Court Competition, University of Washington Law School: Team Coach. 

• Washington State Democratic Party, Precinct Committeeperson, 2004 to Present; Washington State Convention Delegate, 2004.

• Women’s Campaign School, Yale Law School: Intern, wrote and edited newsletter read by women candidates and political operatives around the country.

• SPIN Academy 2004, Participant: Provides intensive media training for progressive organizations.

Presentations

• Presenter, Know Your Rights and Comprehensive Immigration Reform, El Centro de la Raza, June 2007.

• Presenter, Immigration Law for Social Service Agencies, May 2007.

• Presenter, Know Your Rights and Comprehensive Immigration Reform, St. Mary's Church, May 2007.

• Presenter, Know Your Rights and Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Christ the King Church, May 2007.

• Key Note Speaker, Building Advocacy Coalitions in Somali Communities, February 2004.

• Presenter, Somali Community Forum on Ali v. Ashcroft, the class action lawsuit prohibiting deportations to Somalia, November 2003.

• Key Note Speaker, Refugee Resettlement Office Annual Dinner, October 2003.

• Presenter, CLE on Immigration Relief for Detained Aliens, Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice Project.  Taught asylum, cancellation, withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture to attorneys and paralegals at Microsoft Corporation, October 2003.

• Presenter, CLE on Self Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, June 2002.

• Presenter, “The People’s Court: Creating Small Claims Courts in the Philippines,” before Supreme Court Justices Hilario Davide and Josue Bellosillo, Senator Franklin Drilon, judges, attorneys, and legal providers, June 1999.

• Presenter, “Competitive Strategies for Philippine Garment Industry,” before Garment Textile Export Board (Philippine Department of Trade and Industry) and apparel manufacturers.

Publications

• "New Congress Should Reform the Immigration System," The Global Gavel, Washington State Bar Association International Practice section newsletter, April 2007.

• “Truce in the Salmon War: Alternatives for the Pacific Salmon Treaty,” WASHINGTON LAW REVIEW (July 1999).

• “The People’s Court: Creating Small Claims Courts in The Philippines,” (June 1999). Developed recommendations and drafted legislation on creation of small claims courts for Philippine Supreme Court Justices and Senators. Interviewed and presented results to judges, lawyers, advocates and government officials to formulate policies.
  “Competitive Strategies for the Philippine Garment Industry,” (June, 1996). Analyzed world apparel market, assessed trade liberalization trends and developed strategies for enhancing exports.

• “Matchmaker Make Sure the Numbers Match,” Puget Sound Business Journal (July 26, 2002). Co authored article advising businesses on Social Security mismatch letters (with Gregory K. McCall).

• Wrote over 100 articles with summaries of immigration law, news items, and company policies for Microsoft Corporation, read by between 1,500 and 2,200 employees per month.