Judge Karen S. Crawford Presented with 2024 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Ninth Circuit

Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford, Southern District of California, receives the American Inns of Court Ninth Circuit Professionalism Award from Chief Judge Mary Murguia at the 2024 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Sacramento.

Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, received the notable American Inns of Court Ninth Circuit Professionalism Award during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Sacramento. During the presentation, Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia noted the significance of the award and that it is given annually in recognition of professionalism, ethics, civility and legal excellence. She added that Judge Crawford mentors law students and young lawyers in her judicial role, actively participates in the American Inns of Court and generously contributes her time and energy to community service.

“Judge Crawford’s commitment to the legal community is truly admirable and she has been recognized before for exceptional commitment to her community,” said Chief Judge Murguia. “Judge Crawford was the first woman to receive the A. Sherman Christensen award in 1998 in recognition of her inspiring leadership within the American Inns of Court movement and her consistent efforts to improve the American legal system.”

Members of the Louis M. Welsh and Hon. J. Clifford Wallace American Inns of Court nominated Judge Crawford because of her long commitment to the Inns of Court movement. “Judge Crawford’s devotion to the American Inns of Court has been unparalleled in our legal community,” said William M. Low, president of the Welsh Inn of Court and a partner at Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP in San Diego. “When asked why she has remained so active over four decades, she responds that she always learns something at every meeting and wants others to gain from the experience as well.”*

“My participation in the American Inns of Court movement has enriched me as both a lawyer and a judge,” said Judge Crawford, “and it has offered me a meaningful opportunity to learn and to teach and mentor others including, as mentioned, young lawyers and law students. Giving back to the legal community that I love so much has been deeply rewarding. I’m most grateful and deeply humbled for your recognition.”

Judge Crawford is the current president of the Wallace Inn and served as president of the Welsh Inn from 2012 to 2017. She helped found, and served as president of, what is now known as the Hay-Sell Pittsburgh American Inn of Court in Pittsburgh and helped found three additional Inns in Western Pennsylvania. *

As a magistrate judge, Judge Crawford handles both civil and criminal cases. She also participates in the Alternatives to Prison Solutions diversion program, which allows certain defendants to engage in a year of intensive court supervision as they define and work toward achieving their goals and, upon successful completion, they “graduate” without criminal records. From 2005 to 2012, Judge Crawford served as chair of litigation at Duane Morris LLP. In 2001, she opened the first west coast office of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and served as managing partner. Earlier she worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and for the U.S. Department of Justice.*

Judge Crawford received her undergraduate degree from Boston University in 1977 and her law degree from California Western School of Law in 1980.*

The American Inns of Court Professionalism Awards are bestowed annually in each circuit and participating federal circuits, to lawyers or judges whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.

Candidates are nominated through circuit-wide open nominations and selected by a panel of representatives from both the circuit and the American Inns of Court. With the concurrence and participation of the chief judge of the circuit, the award is presented at each circuit’s judicial conference.

*Information drawn from the American Inns of Court website.

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