The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
35 years of public service lauded
Chief assistant prosecutor Karen Kowall lauded by commissioners, peers
Chief assistant prosecutor Karen Kowall retires after several decades, is lauded for her contributions.
The Lake County commissioners recently honored a longtime county employee whose service they described as a “relentless pursuit of justice” spanning more than three decades.
Lake County Prosecutor Charles E. Coulson also lauded the “significant and meaningful” career of Karen L. Kowall, who announced her retirement Oct. 29 after 35 years.
T he L a ke Catholic alumna studied at the University Akron School of Law and began her career as a legal intern with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office in June 1985, where she prosecuted misdemeanor criminal cases in Painesville Municipal Court.
Upon admission to the Ohio Bar, Kowall was assigned to the Civil Division and subsequently the Felony Division, rising to the position of chief assistant prosecuting attorney of the Criminal Division.
During her tenure, in addition to Coulson, Kowall served under Prosecuting Attorneys John E. Shoop and Steven C. LaTourette.
“Not only is Karen a super trial lawyer, she is a mentor to our young assistant prosecuting attorneys,” Coulson said. “We’re celebrating a leader and we’re going to miss her terribly. She’s taking away not only her experience, but also her talent. Her unique career has been important and she has well represented the citizens of Lake County.
“Those of us who know Karen personally admire her not only for her leadership within the prosecutor’s office, but also for her personal lifetime values as a devoted wife of 38 years to her husband, Dan, mother of three beautiful daughters and loving grandmother,” Coulson added. “I am confident that the community will continue to benefit from the legacy of Karen’s leadership in our office.”
During her career Kowall tried numerous “violent and notorious criminals,” i ncluding David Wolf, Kevin Knoefel, Anton Hamilton Jr., Danna Weimer, Van Patterson (coined the BVD Bandit) and cult leader Jeffrey Lundgren.
Commissioner Jer r y Cirino said Kowall’s service, while unheralded in the public eye, has fortified public safety.
“The police officers, sheriffs and deputies certainly are the front-line folks, but sometimes it goes without notice what goes on in the prosecutor’s office that really underlies the real public safety, in the long run, here for our community,” he said.
“Karen’s been a staunch person making sure that our community st ays safe,” Cirino added. “A lot of people may not know her name, but the people of Lake County owe a great debt of gratitude for the work she’s done. We wish her a very productive and enjoyable retirement.”
Kowall’s future plans include spending more uninterrupted time with her family.
“T his is ver y overwhelming,” she said. “I’m grateful to Chuck and to the people that I’ve worked with who’ve supported me. This is a very difficult job, and for those of us that do it, it’s not just a job, it’s a passion and commitment to service.
When a red file arrives on your desk, each one of them has story, has a victim that is dependent on us to do our job with excellence.
“It’s not just a day in court,” she added. “Most of all, what we’re trying to do is justice, to make sure the responsibility that we have, which is immense, is carried out faithfully. I’ve taken that very seriously in my career. It weighs very heavily on my mind and I’ve been really lucky — I’ve been in the right place at the right time and had opportunities very few attorneys really get in their careers.”
Kowall noted she’s been very humbled throughout her career.
“People look to you to do the best that you can, to make sure someone is held accountable. That’s the job,” she said. “We’re not doing it for notoriety, we’re doing it because there is a need and there’s a calling and, thankfully, I’ve been able to respond over the years at great personal sacrifice, you have to give up part of your life.
“Hopefully, I’ve contributed in some way to ensure our county is a better place.”