Karin Graver

Professor Karin J. Graver is a faculty member at Southwestern Law School, specializing in legal writing, analysis, and skills. She transitioned from private practice in business and employment litigation to academia in 2004, emphasizing the critical role of legal writing in advocacy. Her teaching focuses on shifting students' argumentative approaches from assumption-driven to conclusion-driven frameworks.

• Education:
  • B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1994
  • J.D., 1998, both from the University of California, Los Angeles
• Professional Experience:
  • Former litigation associate at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (1998–2002)
  • Member of the legal team handling the Great Western Forum naming rights lawsuit
  • Later worked at Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan, focusing on business litigation

Professor Graver’s research interests center on enhancing legal writing and advocacy skills, informed by her practice in employment discrimination, intellectual property, and corporate governance disputes. She teaches courses such as LAWS I: Legal Writing and LAWS II: Negotiation, mentoring students from their first legal analysis exercises to advanced advocacy in intramural competitions.

Her career highlights include mentoring junior attorneys, leading professional development committees, and fostering a pedagogical approach that bridges legal theory with practical advocacy. She emphasizes the transformative growth students achieve during their first year at Southwestern.