Karen S. Hockstad

Karen S. Hockstad, a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, in Columbus, Ohio, brings over a quarter-century of seasoned guidance in commercial litigation and finance. Her legal acumen covers a broad spectrum, including business and corporate litigation, and estate and trust disputes. She also navigates the complex terrain of employment law, defending clients in federal and state arenas on matters such as overtime and discrimination.

Ms. Hockstad’s clientele spans a diverse range, from publicly traded companies to closely held entities, banks and call centers, dealing with consumer-related issues under acts such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Junk Fax Prevention Act. She also ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, addressing local consumer and privacy concerns. In employment matters, she offers strategic advice on contracts and compliance, aids in negotiating severance agreements, and handles employment claims.

In the Ohio charter school sector, Ms. Hockstad engages in litigation and business advising. Her courtroom prowess includes leading complex litigation involving contract disputes, corporate veil-piercing, commercial leases, shareholder disputes and antitrust litigation. Beyond litigation, her advisory skills are robust. She guides businesses and entrepreneurs in transactional, tax and employment matters. She has effectively represented numerous clients in tax disputes before the U.S. Tax Court and serves as outside general counsel for various organizations in Ohio and Michigan, where she holds active licenses.

A nationally recognized speaker on TCPA class action defense, Ms. Hockstad has defended class actions across the United States. She offers compliance advice to ensure that her clients' privacy policies, website terms and conditions, and contractual provisions provide maximum protection. After earning her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan in 1987, she obtained her J.D. from Detroit College of Law in 1992. She furthered her education with an LL.M. in taxation from Capital University Law School in 1994. She has also been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and multiple U.S. District Courts across Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.

Ms. Hockstad’s excellence in the field is underscored by her AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and recognition as an Ohio Super Lawyer in business, business litigation and employment law by Law & Politics Magazine. Additionally, she is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Columbus Bar Association, establishing her as a prominent figure in the legal field.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.