Director and Staff

As the first Director of the Illinois Supreme Court’s MCLE Board, Karen works under the direction of the Court and the Board to administer the Court’s MCLE program. Her experience includes six years as DLA Piper’s National Director of Professional Development where she planned and managed the firm’s attorney education program for all of its U.S. offices. Before joining DLA Piper, Karen was a Litigation Partner with a mid-sized Chicago law firm, Much Shelist, P.C. She handled commercial disputes with a focus in employment and environmental matters, including trial and appellate work.

Ms. Johnson attended Cornell Law School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a founding member and Chair of the Chicago-Area Professional Development Consortium, a group of attorney education professionals at law firms, government offices and bar associations. She also served as Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. During eight years in bar leadership, she planned dozens of CLE courses and organized many public and bar service projects. Ms. Johnson previously worked as a radio reporter and anchor in Madison, Wisconsin.

Angela Campbell, Project Specialist

Susan Doran, Administrative Assistant/Office Coordinator

Jeannine Emery, Project Coordinator

Brian Gilhooly, Operations Analyst/Benefits Coordinator/Technology

Alyssa Griffin, Attorney Compliance and Communications Coordinator

Tina Larson, Accounting Administrator

Deirdre McCarthy, Provider Compliance and Outreach Manager

Christina Pusemp, J.D., Deputy Director