Karen has rejoined the firm where she practiced from 2001-2004.  As a senior litigation
attorney, Karen brings a wealth of experience, competence, and a desire to serve the
clients of the firm.

Karen grew up as an Air Force “brat,” as her father served as a Weapon System Officer
(WSO) in the F-111 Aardvark. She followed his path by being commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at
Cornell University. After some time in the Individual Ready Reserve, she attended law
school at the University of Colorado. Upon graduation, her commission was reactivated
and she joined the Air Force Judge Advocate Corps in 1993. Karen spent 24 years as
an Air Force Judge Advocate, retiring in 2017 as a Colonel after serving on active duty
and in the Reserves.

During her military tenure, she served 3 years as a trial defense counsel, which included
duty representing cadets as the Military Cadet Counsel at the United States Air Force
Academy.  She then spent 8 years as an appellate defense counsel, representing
military members before the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of
Appeals for the Armed Forces.  After 5 years at two operational bases as the Staff
Judge Advocate and the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Karen served as a judge on the
Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals for 3 years.  She finished her Air Force career as
agency counsel on cases being heard by the Air Force Board of Corrections for Military
Records and also during Officer Grade Determinations involving senior military officer
misconduct.

On the civilian side, before retiring in 2025, Karen spent 21 years as an Associate
General Counsel with the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel.  In that
position, she managed and worked on major litigation involving the Department and its
senior officials.  This included issues relating to international law, personnel/fiscal/health
policy, the Freedom of Information Act and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

She is happy to be back in private practice where she can put her skills and experience
to use aggressively protecting the rights of our nation’s military members and civilian
employees in these especially challenging times.

In her free time, Karen enjoys boating on the Chesapeake Bay and volunteering with a
local animal rescue.

Annie W. Morgan, Esq., is a highly respected attorney, with over fourteen years’ experience in trial and appellate litigation before federal, military, and international courts.  Annie possesses a specialized focus in national security litigation, human rights, and complex criminal defense. Her practice is marked by a commitment to upholding justice and advancing the Rule of Law, demonstrated through her impactful work across several prominent government agencies and international legal tribunals.

Most recently, Annie served as an Attorney Advisor at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within the U.S. Department of Treasury. In this role, she provides expert legal guidance on critical issues including anti-money laundering, financial intelligence, and regulatory compliance. Annie advised on federal laws and regulations affecting domestic and global financial systems, working closely with federal law enforcement, intelligence agencies, financial institutions and regulators, and Congress. Known for her analytical rigor, she excelled in navigating complex legal challenges to support FinCEN’s mission of safeguarding financial integrity and promoting national security.

Before joining FinCEN, Annie held a pivotal role as a civilian defense attorney with the Department of Defense’s Military Commissions Defense Organization, where she represented the alleged mastermind of the 2000 USS Cole bombing, Mr. Abdul Al-Rahim Al-Nashiri, against capital charges involving terrorism.  In defense of Mr. Al-Nashiri, Annie has appeared before the War Courts convened in Guantanamo Bay, the Court of Military Commissions Review, the D.C. Circuit, and international tribunals.  Annie has been lauded for her commitment to representing clients in challenging cases, her command of complex international law issues, her expertise handling classified materials, and her novel trial strategy.  Her work  before the military commissions has been featured in the New York Times, the Nation, MSNBC, and in a host of legal blogs and podcasts.  Most notably, Ms. Morgan’s groundbreaking examination of the architect of the CIA’s torture program and her successful argument in the historic motion to suppress evidence obtained or derived from the torture of Guantanamo detainees, has received national attention.  Her dedication was recognized with awards such as the Chief Defense Counsel Rule of Law Award and the Senior Civilian of the Year Award.

Annie’s legal journey began with the U.S. Air Force, where she served in the  Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.  Annie served as a trial defense attorney, representing service members across Europe and the Middle East, an appellate defense attorney, appearing before the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and a civil litigation attorney, handling some of the most complex litigation involving military service members in federal court.  Her leadership and legal skill earned her a top ranking among her peers and solidified her reputation as a dedicated advocate for service members and their families.

In addition to her hands-on legal work, Annie is a passionate educator and thought leader. As an adjunct professor at Gettysburg College, she shares her expertise in national security law with students, drawing on real-world experience from her work with military commissions, human rights advocacy, and financial intelligence. Her courses tackle pressing topics like emerging threats in national security, national security law and policy, and the Legacy of Guantanamo Bay.  Additionally, Annie is recognized as a non-resident expert in national security at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C., and is a prolific guest lecturer at academic institutions nationwide. 

Annie holds a Master of Laws in National Security from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated with distinction, and a Juris Doctorate from The George Washington School of Law. Her academic accomplishments are complemented by her scholarly contributions, including published articles on issues such as Guantanamo detention in the context of COVID-19. With bar admissions across multiple federal and military courts, Annie’s deep legal knowledge and unwavering dedication to justice make her an invaluable asset to clients navigating the complexities of federal and military law.