Karen L. Ives specializes in family law matters, including marriage dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, property division, spousal maintenance, paternity actions, prenuptial contracts, and simple wills. Ms. Ives is experienced in juvenile law, representing both parents and children in various proceedings, including adoptions. Ms. Ives has in the past served as a guardian ad litem for children in family court, and periodically serves as an arbitration/settlement conference referee in Hennepin County, MN. Ms. Ives has a background in mediation, and alternative dispute resolution, and is presently offering her services as a collaborative attorney in appropriate cases.

Ms. Ives was admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota in 1980, after graduating from William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, and did her undergraduate work at Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter Minnesota. She established her private law practice in 1982, after first serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Allen Oleisky, Judge of Hennepin County District Court.

In addition to her law practice, Ms. Ives has had extensive community involvement, with participation as Board Member for Loring-Nicollet Bethlehem Center, Working Opportunities for Women, and attorney advisory volunteer for Chrysalis. She is currently treasurer of her local community organization, and is a facilitater for Restorative Justice Community Action.

Ms. Ives continues her professional association with the Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, and the Collaborative Family Law Institute, and is a certified neutral mediator.