Title: Counsel
Company: RDRW LLP
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Karen O. Hourigan, counsel at RDRW LLP, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in the legal services industry.
With years of experience to her credit, Ms. Hourigan has found success as counsel at RDRW LLP since 2025. In this capacity, she draws on her extensive background in e-discovery, information governance and data privacy to provide strategic legal guidance. Her approach is marked by a direct, transparent and emotionally open style, which has become a hallmark of her professional reputation. Ms. Hourigan is also active as a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, reflecting her ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of developments in data privacy and technology law.
Prior to joining RDRW LLP, Ms. Hourigan held the position of counsel, second level, in the Data Privacy and Technology Department at Erie Insurance from 2022 to 2025. During her tenure, she was responsible for navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring compliance with evolving privacy standards. Her work required a nuanced understanding of both legal frameworks and technological advancements, enabling her to effectively advise on matters critical to the organization’s operations.
From 2021 to 2022, Ms. Hourigan worked as a partner at Redgrave LLP in San Francisco, California. In this leadership role, she managed high-profile litigation matters and provided oversight for document review teams. Her ability to synthesize case substance with e-discovery processes ensured that legal strategies were both comprehensive and effective. She played a pivotal role in shaping firm policies and mentoring junior attorneys.
Between 2019 and 2021, Ms. Hourigan served as a partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius in San Francisco, California. Her expertise was called upon during a significant privilege dispute in Los Angeles Superior Court involving substantial sanctions against both client and firm. Despite being based in New York, she traveled to Los Angeles on short notice and dedicated two months to resolving the matter. Her intervention shifted the trajectory of the case toward a more favorable outcome by challenging internal dynamics and advocating for direct court engagement.
Ms. Hourigan also excelled as a founding partner at Redgrave LLP in San Francisco from 2010 to 2018. In this foundational period, she contributed significantly to the development of the firm’s e-discovery practice and helped establish industry standards through her involvement with the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists. She played an instrumental role in creating certification exams for ACEDS and has remained engaged with the organization as an internationally based professional. Her career is further distinguished by her participation on the grants committee of the Erie Women’s Fund, where she supports initiatives aimed at empowering women within her community.
To support her professional ambitions, Ms. Hourigan initially pursued an education at Emory University, from which she obtained a bachelor’s degree. She ultimately concluded her formal studies at Georgetown University in 1999, graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Her academic journey was shaped by parents who emphasized both achievement in the classroom and participation in organized sports, instilling discipline and focus from an early age. With additional coursework in psychology and English, she developed a grounded understanding of human behavior—an asset that has proven invaluable when guiding clients through high-stress legal challenges.
Throughout her career, Ms. Hourigan has been recognized for her leadership within the e-discovery community—a field often overlooked by traditional litigators despite its critical importance to modern litigation strategy. Her contributions have earned her placement in Chambers and Partners, underscoring her impact on the profession.
A defining personal milestone for Ms. Hourigan was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017 at nearly 47 years old—a goal she had aspired to since age 25 but only realized decades later. This incredible accomplishment stands as a testament to her perseverance and commitment to personal growth alongside professional success.
Raised in Buffalo within a blue-collar family that valued hard work, Ms. Hourigan attributes much of her success to these formative influences. She is known for her dry wit, candor and empathy—qualities that have shaped both her legal practice and relationships with clients.
Outside of her legal career, Ms. Hourigan divides her time between the United States and Costa Rica, where she is building a business rooted in local sustainability within the Santa Teresa community. She has launched initiatives such as lunch-and-learn sessions to connect residents with entrepreneurial resources including Wi-Fi access, laptops and generators. Her approach emphasizes partnership over charity—aiming to create opportunities for locals through business ventures like restaurants that foster community engagement.
Ms. Hourigan’s experience extends beyond law into hospitality and real estate investment, leveraging decades spent traveling globally as both customer and observer of industry best practices. She seeks to invest in properties managed by local partners committed to long-term stewardship rather than outside speculation. She is also dedicated to deepening her understanding of generative artificial intelligence for business applications, investing in companies focused on sleep health solutions through minerals and vitamins and returning to marathon running. Looking toward the future, Ms. Hourigan remains steadfastly committed to delivering results with speed, competence and approachability—qualities that define her legacy among colleagues and clients alike.
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