Karen O. Lisko, Ph.D.
- Senior Litigation Consultant
- Persuasive Communications Advisor
- Phoenix
Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.
Karen works with lawyers to increase their persuasiveness throughout all phases of litigation with all types of fact finders.
A veteran of hundreds of civil cases heard in bench and jury trials and arbitration forums, senior litigation consultant Karen Lisko, Ph.D., strategizes to help legal teams construct compelling and prevailing arguments. Karen holds a doctorate in legal communication, a specialized degree attained by only a few consultants in the nation, and is the author of three books, Patently Persuasive, Proven Jury Arguments and Evidence, and Kind Dynamite: Six Ways Women Can Use Our Uniquely Explosive Power to Persuade in Meetings.
Karen relies on more than 30 years of trial consulting experience to create an advantage for litigation teams. She strategizes with trial teams, frequently at the earliest stages of litigation, to help establish effective case approaches. Her key litigation services include the following:
- Judicial and arbitrator persuasion
- Jury persuasion
- Mock trial research for jury and bench trials, hearings, and arbitrations
- Witness preparation for deposition and trial
Karen’s background covers a wide spectrum of complex litigation, with particular depth in intellectual property litigation. She also provides pro bono assistance in asylum matters at Perkins Coie.
Karen was recognized by her peers as the 2024 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Trial Consultants. She is also a repeat faculty member with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
In addition to her case work, Karen frequently trains lawyers and clients on effective communication, persuasive speaking, and dealing with polarized audiences. She also trains other trial consultants in best practices and ethical standards. She co-leads Perkins Coie’s Client Advantage program, which offers training to select clients of the firm, and is the past president of the American Society of Trial Consultants and former board member of the group's foundation. She is a media commentator, frequent author, and presenter of programs, including numerous CLE programs on persuasive legal strategies.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Kansas, Ph.D., Communication Studies with emphasis in Legal Communication, 1992
- University of Kansas, M.A., Communication Studies, 1990
- The University of Arizona, B.A., Speech Communication, 1986
Related Employment
- Baylor University School of Law LL.M. Graduate Program, Adjunct Professor in Courtroom Persuasion 2022-2025
- Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, CO, Senior Litigation Consultant, Persuasion Strategies, 1997-2015
- University of Colorado School of Law, Lecturer and Faculty Member, Trial Advocacy Intersession, 1997-2005
- Tsongas Litigation Consulting, Trial Consultant and Research Director, 1992-1997
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Online Courtroom Project, Founding Advisory Board Member, 2020
- Foundation of the American Society of Trial Consultants, Board of Directors, 2006-2016
- American Society of Trial Consultants, Grievance Committee, Member, 2008-2020; Professional Association Liaison Committee, Co-Chair, 2003-2006; National President and Board Member, 2001-2003; National Vice-President and Board Member, 1998-2001
- The Nebraska Innocence Project, Board Member, 2007-2009
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section and Intellectual Property Section
- American Psychological Association, Psychology and Law Division
