Karen was a member of Pre-Punk Band Skafish

Karen Winner’s nonconformist mindset was evident even when she was a member of Chicago-based punk band Skafish (guitar, vocals, slide guitar) from 1977-79. View Karen’s old profile at Discogs.
Listen to a track called ‘Disgracing the Family Name’. Listen now

Karen forms band,

The Winners, with her brother Mark

Flying so Free ©1973 Karen Winner

Won’t You Come Home © 1974 Karen Winner

Staff Reporter For Community Newspapers

Karen became a Staff Reporter — The Westsider, Chelsea Clinton News, Downtown Express, The Prospect Press (weeklies). Covered: Community Board 7 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, administrations of Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins. Learn More

Staff Reporter For Community Newspapers

Gannett Newspapers, Yorktown Heights, White Plains, N.Y. Covered general news stories for communities in Westchester, NY.

Uncovering Political Machinations

Karen writes investigative article on New York City’s Diesel Bus Pollution in Manhattan, uncovering the political machinations behind it. Publisher, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger & U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan each sent Karen personal congratulations on her story, ‘Exhausted’. Learn More

Policy Analyst/Investigative Writer

Karen worked as a Policy Analyst/Investigative Writer on staff at The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs for then-Commissioner Mark Green where she led investigations on consumer issues and wrote ground-breaking published reports that led to sweeping reforms.

Investigative Report On The Weight Loss Industry

Led a year-long undercover investigation on the rapid weight-loss industry; developed new “Truth in Dieting” regulations for weight loss centers in N.Y.C. in effect on May 17, 1992. The ruling applies to more than 130 weight-loss centers in New York City that promote rapid weight loss.

Women In Divorce: Lawyers, Ethics, Fees & Fairness

Karen authored this investigative report after leading year-long investigation, deep research, and interviewing over 100 sources. Her report and recommendations led to progressive reforms that were enacted statewide.

Divorced from Justice is Published

Regan Books/Harper Collins publishes Karen’s ground-breaking exposé, ‘Divorced from Justice: the Abuse of Women and Children by Divorce Lawyers and Judges’

Justice Seekers

Karen founds the Justice Seekers, a national not-for-profit organization investigating and reporting on public integrity issues in family and divorce courts nationwide.

Karen receives license to practice law in New York, establishes office in Manhattan. 

New York Commission

Karen testifies before the New York Commission on statewide attorney discipline.

Financial Fraud in Divorce Matters

Karen becomes an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, and starts teaching a new course she has created: “Financial Fraud in Divorce Matters.”

Karen Wins with 1992 Client Rights

Karen wins major case against a national law firm using client protections embodied in the ‘Statement of Client Rights’ that she authored in 1992.