KAROL CORBIN WALKER has built an impressive reputation in the State’s legal community, marked with a series of “firsts.” In fact, in 1995, Ms. Walker became the first African-American woman to attain partner status at any major New Jersey law firm. Currently a partner with Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP, Chair of its New Jersey Employment Department, and resident in its Hackensack office, Ms. Walker is a litigator, with trial experience in the State and Federal Courts, who has argued numerous cases before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, the New Jersey Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ms. Walker represents clients in business, commercial, and employment litigation matters. Consistently recognized for her legal acumen, Ms. Walker has been listed as one of New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s “Super Lawyers” since its inception, and, more recently, as one of the top 50 women lawyers in New Jersey. In August 2020, Ms. Walker became the first person of color and first woman to become the State Delegate to represent New Jersey on the Nominating Committee in the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates. In this role she chairs the New Jersey state delegation.
In August 2015, Ms. Walker was the first New Jersey attorney appointed Chair of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary (SCFJ), after serving as the Third Circuit representative to this committee since 2013—the first of color attorney in New Jersey to serve in that capacity. At that time, the 15-member SCFJ vetted prospective Federal District and Circuit judicial candidates’ pre-nomination, and every Supreme Court Justice candidate post-nomination. In June 2015, Ms. Walker was installed as the first African-American President of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, and, in August 2012, she became the first African-American female President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. In 2003, Ms. Walker became the first African-American female President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. In 2003, Ms. Walker became the first African-American President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, taking the oath of office before a record number of attendees. She also served as President of the Garden State Bar Association (New Jersey’s African-American Bar Association) from 1991 through 1993. NJBIZ,in 2003,recognized Ms. Walker as one of New Jersey’s top 25 Women of Influence, while in 1999, Business News New Jersey recognized Ms. Walker as one of New Jersey’s Top 20 African American Business People. Ms. Walker is an extremely faith-filled individual. The cornerstone of her life, her Catholic faith has solidified her dedication to the Church, the law, and the highest standards of professionalism. It also drives her service to her surrounding community. As a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, in Morristown, Ms. Walker serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and as an RCIA Program Coordinator. Spiritually transformed during her first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2010, she has now participated in ten consecutive pilgrimages there. In 2005, with the sponsorship of New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Marie Garibaldi, Ms. Walker had the high honor of being inducted as a Dame of Malta into the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, whose lay members seek to achieve spiritual perfection, defend the Catholic Church, and take an oath to spend their energies serving the sick and the poor. Ms. Walker has previously served on the Order of Malta American Association Board of Councillors and was Secretary from 2016 through 2019. In June 2019, Ms. Walker became the Order of Malta New Jersey Area Co-Chair. Ms. Walker received her B.A., with honors, from New Jersey City University in 1980 and. her Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1986. Ms. Walker resides in Morris Township with her husband of 35 years, Paul J. Walker.
Partner, Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP