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Karen is a director of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. with a practice that currently focuses on mediation. Prior to engaging in mediation, Karen practiced litigation for more than 35 years, focusing on all aspects of employment-related litigation, as well as litigation relating to business, commercial, professional, non-profit and director liability matters.

Professional Experience

  • Mediator
  • Advocate for employers in State and Federal Courts, as well as the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission
  • Frequent presenter to business and community groups regarding various labor and employment issues including discrimination, unlawful harassment and family medical leave

Education

  • Ohio Northern University, B.S. B.A. Degree in Economics and Management, 1981
  • Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude 1984; named to the Order of the Coif, former editor-in-chief of the Law Journal

Courts and Bar Associations

  • Ohio, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2004
  • Member: Stark County Bar Association
  • Member: Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member: American Bar Association

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Member, Board of Trustees: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
  • Aultman Women’s Board
  • Member, Board of Directors: Stark Community Foundation 
  • Former Board of Directors: Aultman College
  • Former Board Member: United Way of Stark County
  • Former Board of Directors: Holy Cross Academy
  • Former Litigation Counsel
  • Former Board Member: Aultman Health Foundation
  • Former Board Member: Canton Symphony Orchestra
  • Former President and Former Board Member: Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio
  • Former Board Member and Former President: Junior Achievement of Stark County
  • Leadership Stark County, 3rd Graduating Class

ARTICLES PUBLISHED BY KAREN SOEHNLEN MCQUEEN

Honors & Awards

  • AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell – specializing in Civil Rights Law. Highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards
  • Listed in Ohio Super Lawyers® 2008-current
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2007-current
  • Listed as Best Lawyers 2015, 2017, 2020 Employment Law Management “Lawyer of the Year” – Akron area
  • Listed as Best Lawyers 2018 Labor Law Management “Lawyer of the Year – Akron Area
  • Listed as Best Lawyers 2012 Litigation – Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year” – Akron area
  • Listed as one of the Top 50 women in the state – Ohio Super Lawyers® (2010-2012, 2014-2016)
  • Listed as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the state – Ohio Super Lawyers® (2016)
  • Listed as one of the Top 25 Women Cleveland Lawyers® (2009)
  • Selected a Leading Lawyer in the northeast Ohio region by Inside Business Magazine (2010)
  • Fellow in Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
  • Recipient of the Canton Jaycees Distinguished Service Award
  • America’s Most Honored Lawyer (2022)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® as Lawyer of the Year 2023

Articles Published by Karen Soehnlen McQueen, Mediator

SUPREME COURT STAYS OSHA COVID-19 VACCINE/TESTING ETS

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued an order staying the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring employers of 100 or more to record vaccination status of its employees and require masking and weekly testing for non-vaccinated employees. The Supreme Court issued a stay of the […]

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OSHA’S VACCINE/TEST MANDATE HAS BEEN REINSTATED

As you may have heard, the Federal Court of Appeals has reinstated the OSHA vaccine or test Emergency Temporary Standard for employers with 100 or more employees. Almost immediately, OSHA has announced that it will move forward with enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standard but did issue a new schedule. […]

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Federal Court of Appeals Issued a “Stay” on the Implementation of the OSHA Vaccine/Testing Rule

Late Friday, November 12, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals put a “Stay,” or hold, on the implementation of the OSHA vaccine/testing regulations. The Federal Courts are expected to consolidate the numerous court challenges to the OSHA vaccine/testing regulations into one circuit. Which Circuit Court will address all of these […]

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OSHA Emergency COVID-19 Vaccination And Testing Mandates

The OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) regarding mandatory vaccinations and testing for all employers of 100 or more employees was announced on November 4, 2021, although it will not be officially published until November 5, 2021. Some of the basic provisions of the ETS are as follows:   All employers with […]

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Congress Does Not Extend Mandatory Paid Leave Under FFCRA But Allows Tax Credits to Employers Voluntarily Providing Paid Leave Through March 31, 2021

Congress’ COVID-19 relief legislation which is currently pending will have some effects on employers.  As you may have read or as you already may know, this relief package includes direct payments to individuals, the extension of the enhanced unemployment benefits, and additional money for the PPP relief.  Unfortunately, some provisions […]

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Sexual Harassment in the News – Are You Prepared?

You cannot miss the weekly allegations in the news of sexual harassment against high-profile individuals. These public high profile allegations should cause every company, large or small, to review their own policies on sexual harassment and other unlawful harassment and to review their employee training. Just having a policy is […]

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