Karen Hecker, Esq. Senior Military Defense Attorney
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.
