However, because justice delayed can be justice denied, I also keep
in mind the importance of doing the difficult immediately, recognizing
that the impossible may take a little longer.
Attorney Karen Gievers has always used her legal training and talents for the greater good while representing those unable to obtain a just outcome without litigation.
Personal Profile
In 1987, while beginning her own firm after being with Anderson Moss Russo and Gievers, Karen’s husband Joe was killed by a teenage driver, leaving her with the new firm and as a newly-single parent to her own two children, then 16 and 14 years old. Gievers persevered, and succeeded, with the children and
law firm.
In 1991, in a pro bono case to preserve the Guardian ad Litem program, Gievers took on Florida’s Governor and Cabinet, which were trying to cut the budget and jeopardize the Guardian Program. In a lawsuit that took less than three weeks, the Trial Judge entered an injunction prohibiting the budget cutting, the Appellate Court forwarded the case to the Florida Supreme Court which affirmed the Trial Court’s ruling in favor of the foster children and their guardians. [Chiles v. Children A, B, C, D, E and F, 589 So.2d 260 (Fla.1991)
Also, in 1997, Gievers remarried; she and husband Frank share six children, 11 grands and 10 greats.
Now, in 2019, after being constitutionally required to leave the Bench on her 70th birthday, Gievers is returning to use her legal knowledge, training and skill to help protect legal rights and our judicial system. With a focus on protecting constitutional rights, and the rights of children, Gievers helps stand up for what is right.
Whether in private practice or on the Bench, Karen Gievers has made a practice of standing up for what is right, while thinking outside the box and trying to work smarter, not harder.
Milestones, Recognition & Involvement
- November 7, 1978: Admitted to the Florida Bar, following graduation from the University of Miami School of Law, and passing the Bar examination.
- 1987: Established own firm in Miami, following partnership with Anderson Moss Russo and Gievers; practice included traditional civil litigation and statewide advocacy relating to children.
- 1999: Relocated to Tallahassee, with statewide practice, primarily relating to children and civil litigation.
- 2010: Elected to the Second Circuit Bench, for a term of six years, reelected in 2016, to serve until April 2019 [70th birthday/mandatory retirement].
- 2019: Following mandatory retirement from the Bench in April, and her waiver of service as a senior judge, Gievers resumed the private practice of law in a virtual office, based in Tallahassee, including some consulting work, pro bono matters and children-related and other civil cases. (In non-pro bono cases, fees and costs charged will be reasonable, and consistent with Florida law and Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct).
- Martindale-Hubbell has rated Gievers as “AV Preeminent for Thirty Years”, dating back to 1989. (The AV Preeminent Rating includes “Judicial Edition” recognition of Gievers as having the “Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards Reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary”).
- Gievers is recognized as a specialist in civil trial practice, and has been a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law, Certified by the Florida Bar, continuously since 1985, her first year of eligibility for certification recognition.
- The Tallahassee Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) named Gievers as its 2018 Trial Jurist of the Year.
- The Miami Herald recognized Gievers as a “Guardian of Justice” in 1991 for her work on behalf of “Children A Through F”. The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers presented Gievers with its Rosemary Barkett Award, and the Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar presented Gievers with its Hugh Glickstein Award, both relating to her work for Florida’s children.
Community Organization Involvement
- Gievers founded and led Operation SafeDrive in 1987 and some years after, following the death of her husband Joe in February 1987.
- Gievers co-founded and served with Florida’s Children First and founded and led the Children’s Advocacy Foundation, advocating on behalf of children.
- At times over the years, Gievers was a member of M.A.D.D., the League of Women Voters, FAWL, the Visiting Committee for the Florida State University School of Law, is a supporter of the N.A.A.C.P and the Dr. MLK, Jr. Foundation, and is still a member of Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club.
In the Media
Gievers Returns to Private Practice
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Second Circuit Judge Karen Gievers has announced her return to the private practice of law following her constitutionally required resignation from the Circuit Bench on her 70th birthday this past April.
“In my new role, I plan to be involved in protecting the constitutions of Florida and the United States and plan to also help children harmed by the foster care system, among other matters.” Gievers said. “I have ultimately decided not to pursue senior judge status when eligible in 2020 in order to have greater freedom to raise my voice as a private citizen.”
Gievers is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, certified by the Florida Bar as a Civil Trial Specialist since 1985 after being admitted to the Florida Bar in November 1978. Before being elected to the bench, Gievers had her own law practice and had become known as one of best trial attorneys in Florida and as one of the leading statewide advocates for foster children.
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How to Reach Attorney Gievers
This is a Virtual Office
Meetings with clients will be scheduled as
appropriate and convenient.
The mailing address is Post Office Box 13302,
Tallahassee, Florida 32317.
Records and items for which a receipt is needed should be sent to 2355 Centerville Road #13302, Tallahassee, Florida 32308.
The telephone number is 850-570-0425.