Judge Karen K. Cole: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Karen K. Cole (Ret.) was a judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Cole was appointed to the bench by former Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Dorothy Pate (deceased). She retired on October 1, 2021.

The 4th Judicial Circuit encompasses Clay County, Duval County, and Nassau County. Cole held assignments in Duval County, presiding over cases in the Family Division, the Felony Criminal Division, the Juvenile Dependency Division, and the Civil Division. She also established a court-based surrogate parent program that trained volunteer advocates to help children in need.

Cole received a B.A. in psychology from Jacksonville University in 1978. She went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1981.

After graduating from law school, Cole began her legal career as an associate at Bedell, Bedell, Dittmar & Zehmer, where her practice focused on commercial litigation. Two years later, she joined Boyd & Jenerette as an associate. Cole was named a shareholder in the firm in 1988. She then became a shareholder at Morgan & Cole in 1993, remaining in that capacity until her appointment to the bench.

Cole received the Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award from the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar (2014), the Fran Peacock Coker Flabota Community Service Award (2012), and the Justice Teaching Jurist of the Year Award (2012). She was also named Public Official of the Year by the Children’s Home Society (2010), Community Woman of the Year by Jacksonville University (2005), and Lawyer of the Year by the Financial News and Daily Record (2004).

Cole is a past president of the Jacksonville Bar Association.