Karl J. Worsham
Karl Worsham is an experienced writer and oral advocate. Karl has briefed appeals in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, D.C., and Federal Circuits, and in state appellate courts in Arizona, California, Louisiana, New York, and North Carolina.
Those briefs have covered a wide range of legal areas, including federal jurisdiction, international trade, administrative law, insurance recovery, environmental law, products liability, and water law. In addition to his extensive briefing experience, Karl has also argued before the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona Court of Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit.
Karl also litigates in state and federal trial courts. Although he has been involved in all areas of trial practice from pleadings to trial preparation, Karl's trial practice has been primarily focused on briefing and arguing dispositive motions. [see more]
Maintaining an active pro bono practice, Karl has represented clients in appellate matters involving immigration, civil rights, and family law at the federal and state level.
Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Karl clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, Managing Editor, Harvard Environmental Law Review; Executive Editor, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, 2017
- Brigham Young University, B.A., Philosophy, Article Author and Editing Team Leader, BYU Prelaw Review, 2013
- Salt Lake Community College, A.S., General Studies, 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
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Arizona
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District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Clerkships
- Hon. Joan L. Larsen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Hon. Carolyn B. McHugh, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- Hon. Charles F. Lettow, U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Appellate Practice Law; Commercial Litigation Law, 2022-2024
Named an Appellate “Rising Star” in Super Lawyers, 2023-2024
News
Professional Experience
Experience
State of Arizona v. Marner
Counsel for amicus curiae in the Arizona Supreme Court in support of a criminal defendant who sought to disqualify the Tucson Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office due to an appearance of impropriety arising from the actual misconduct of a prosecutor. The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously agreed with amicus curiae’s position, holding that trial courts have broad discretion to vicariously disqualify a prosecutor’s office based on an appearance of impropriety. The court also held that, under the facts in this case, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in disqualifying the Tucson Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office because the prosecutor’s actual misconduct may have tainted the proceedings. __ Ariz. __, __ P.3d __, 2021 WL 2197962 (2021).