Kerry Keefe

Kerry Keefe brings more than three decades of high-stakes litigation and public-sector leadership experience to her practice. She has represented the United States, King County, and their departments, agencies and employees in civil litigation, constitutional and tort matters, civil rights enforcement and complex government investigations.

Her public-sector leadership experience includes senior roles with the Seattle Police Department, the Office of the Mayor of Seattle, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. As Civil Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Kerry led a division of attorneys and staff handling Federal Tort Claims Act matters, False Claims Act and whistleblower actions, civil rights enforcement, employment, immigration and litigation involving tribal treaty rights, while working closely with federal agency and law enforcement counsel.

Between her criminal and civil experience, Kerry has tried more than 80 cases to verdict, advised executive leadership on policy and risk, and guided major institutional reform efforts, including the consent decree between the United States and the City of Seattle. Clients value her judgment, command of complex constitutional issues, and her practical, solutions-focused approach to resolving difficult disputes.

Representative Experience:

• As Civil Chief, led an 18-attorney civil division representing the United States in Federal Tort Claim Act, False Claims Act, civil rights enforcement, debt collection, immigration and tribal treaty rights litigation.
• Supervised the U.S. Attorney’s Office responsibilities under the consent decree between the United States and the City of Seattle, working with Seattle Police Department command staff on policy, training and performance review.
• Tried more than 75 felony cases to jury verdict, including homicide, arson, kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault matters, and served as Gang Coordinator and a founding member of the Most Dangerous Offender Project.
• Represented King County operating departments, including the King County Sheriff’s Office, in tort and constitutional matters, coordinating with the Office of the Executive on policy and risk.
• Core team member for the creation and implementation of the U.S. District Court’s DREAM (Drug Re-Entry Alternative Model) Program.

• YMCA of Greater Seattle Regional Mock Trial Competition - Coach