Ken Karlberg

I was raised in the fields and milk parlors of a dairy community. When I left home at age 17, I finished high school, undergraduate and law school by commercial fishing in Alaska. Fishing allowed me to put myself through a public junior college, a private undergraduate college, and a private law school without financial assistance. I am a proud graduate of Foothill Junior College in Los Altos, CA, where I received an A.A. Degree in history. Foothill will always have a special place in my heart because I wasn't able to afford a four year university at the time. My transfer to Occidental College, where I doubled majored in history and economics, was the springboard to law school at Vanderbilt University. Oxy made me a more well-rounded, intellectually curious critical thinker. Vanderbilt gave me the tools to change lives on a whole different level. Athletics and fitness have always been a life passion. Trial is my professional substitute for athletic competition. I have served as trial counsel to local, regional, national, and international clients engaged in the oil and gas, health care, agricultural, chemical, electrical, manufacturing, construction, maritime and fishing industries. My advice to aspiring lawyers: If you are passionate about helping others, the practice can be a richly rewarding career. The law equips you with powerful skills that few have. However, as is often said, "with great power comes great responsibility." Used with honor, the law can be a sword or a shield for justice. Used without honor, you risk losing your soul. Learn the difference and you will be respected. What is ethical may not be moral. When ethics and morals collide, take the path of morality. Be humble. You are no better than a dairy farmer or a commercial fisherman. And remember, you are an ambassador for a noble profession. Being an attorney is a privilege. Act like it at all times. Don't ask to be paid for everything you do.