Karen J. Wayne, Attorney At Law

I entered the Court system at the age of 19 and worked as a public employee in the district courts until the age of 51. During those years I worked with individuals and families from all walks of life, many cultures, social histories, and life circumstances. My duties included, assisting the public, answering questions, and assuring court involved individuals and families that their voice would be heard through the legal process.

I learned through the years that diversity is not simply a synonym for racial or even religious differences, but rather, a vastly encompassing term which represents one's nationality, age, economic strata, ethnicity, divergent, and sometimes transformational histories, both personal and political, as well as closely held unique family values.

My personal journey, from a public employee to a lawyer, allowed me to see the similarities in people's experiences in the Court system. For example, people bring cultural, familial, and personal experiential differences into the Court system including how they perceive a justice system (judges, attorneys, police) but these differences are perceptive and interpretive and do not mean that people don't all experience apprehension, trust, or distrust, and a need for understanding and assistance from the court professionals they may encounter.

What one needs in working through the legal system is influenced by one's perceptions of, and beliefs in relation to the law and legal system. What I have learned is that all people need to be respected and given the power to determine for themselves what they need throughout the legal process to reach their chosen goals and desired outcome.

As an older woman who had to overcome barriers of gender, class, and religious prejudice, I returned to law school with a passion for becoming a conduit to empower all people to access and participate in our legal systems. After spending so many years in the District Court, I am committed to assisting individuals and families currently struggling with similar barriers from their own backgrounds and current life situations.

I believe my most valuable contributions as a legal advocate are a mature judgment, an ability to listen to people's fears, hopes, values, and desired outcomes, so that I can better assist my clients, in an empowering way, to navigate the legal system without losing control over their lives, and especially decision making in that process.

On, June 2, 2016, I received the Bar Advocate of the Year award, presented by the Quincy Bar Association, for exemplary service to my indigent clients.

On, June 9, 2016, I received the Excellence Award from the Quincy District Court Drug Court for my personal commitment, dedication, and performance.

On May 5, 2017, I was accepted to the CPCS Youthful Offender Panel.