Karen Winston

Karen is passionate about keeping families together. She puts her clients first and makes obtaining positive outcomes in their cases her top priority.

In 2010 Karen was awarded a prestigious Equal Justice Works Fellowship sponsored by the Florida Bar and the Florida Bar Foundation. Through the Fellowship, Karen created the Baker Defense Project of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid which provided “Know Your Rights” presentations and free representation to foreign nationals detained and facing deportation at the Baker County Jail in Macclenny, Florida. After graduating from law school, Karen directed and ran the Baker Defense Project for over three years.

Now owner and President of The Law Office of Karen Winston, LLC, Karen’s practice focuses exclusively on immigration applications including spouse and fiancé visas, asylum, removal defense, and humanitarian forms of relief. Karen assists her clients in navigating the complicated immigration system every step of the way. With initial strategy sessions and frequent communication throughout the process, she helps her clients achieve the best possible outcome for themselves and their families. Karen understands that communication and preparation are critical in successfully navigating the complex immigration system. She is committed to providing a high-quality representation in all types of immigration cases including representation before any U.S. Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Federal Courts, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Through a partnership with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), Karen continues to provide comprehensive representation to underserved immigrant populations.  Pro bono representation is a critical component of the Law Office of Karen Winston and Karen was honored to be named the 2016 Pro Bono Champion for the Central Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for her work on behalf of crime victims, asylum seekers, survivors of domestic violence, and trafficking victims detained at the Baker County Jail. 

Karen is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), currently serving on behalf of the Central Florida Chapter as the Chair liaison to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/ Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). She is licensed by the Supreme Court of Florida and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Karen received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Florida Coastal School of Law.