Recognized in Ones to Watch since 2027 
Karen Simpson is a civil litigator at Pickard Simpson Law whose practice focuses on personal injury litigation and, in particular, representing survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault. Her work combines determined litigation advocacy with a trauma-informed approach shaped by an unusual professional background: before becoming a lawyer, Karen spent ten years as a career firefighter.
As a first responder, Karen worked with people experiencing injury, loss and crisis, often meeting them on one of the most difficult days of their lives. That experience continues to inform the way she practises law. She understands that trauma can affect memory, communication, decision-making and a person’s ability to engage with unfamiliar systems and authority figures. Karen believes trauma-informed advocacy does not mean approaching litigation less forcefully; it means understanding the client and the effects of trauma well enough to advocate more effectively.
A significant focus of Karen’s practice is representing survivors of sexual violence in civil claims, including cases involving sexual assault, historical sexual abuse and institutional responsibility. She is passionate about ensuring survivors understand the legal options available to them and have meaningful choices about how they pursue accountability.
Karen’s work with survivors extends beyond civil litigation. She represents sexual assault complainants in applications concerning their private and third-party records, including proceedings under sections 276 and 278 of the Criminal Code. This work has given her experience at the intersection of civil litigation, criminal law, evidence, privacy and victims’ rights. She advocates for complainants whose highly personal information is sought for use in criminal proceedings and works to ensure that their privacy, dignity and legal interests have an independent voice in the process.
Karen is also committed to advocacy and education outside the courtroom. She participated in Code of Misconduct, a documentary examining the Hockey Canada sexual assault case, the investigative journalism that brought it to national attention, and the broader issues of sexual violence and culture in hockey. Her involvement reflects a larger commitment to public education about sexual violence, the realities survivors encounter within the justice system, and the importance of ensuring that people understand their rights before deciding how to engage with that system.
Advocacy has been a consistent thread throughout Karen’s professional life. During her firefighting career, she held leadership roles with Fire Service Women Ontario and the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, advocating for women in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Her contributions were recognized with Fire Service Women Ontario’s President’s Trailblazer Award. She continues to contribute to the fire-service community as a speaker and educator on legal and workplace issues.
Across her practice, Karen advocates for people whose lives have been profoundly altered by injury, abuse or wrongdoing. Drawing on her experience as both a litigator and a former first responder, she brings rigorous preparation, a deep understanding of trauma and its lasting consequences, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that clients who have suffered serious harm are heard, supported and represented with strength throughout the legal process.
