Karen DeSoto

Karen DeSoto (born September 9, 1969) is an American on-air television legal commentator for NBC, an attorney, and a Professor of law at New Jersey City University.
Education
DeSoto received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in 1991, a Juris Doctorate from Temple University 1996, and a Master’s of Law Degree in Trial Advocacy from Temple University Beasley School of Law 2000.
Career
DeSoto began her career as a public defender in Somerset, New Jersey. She then went on to serve as a prosecutor in Hunterdon Country, before moving into private practice in in Raritan, New Jersey and later forming her own law practice (the Center For Legal Justice) in Jersey City, New Jersey to focus on cases involving criminal defense, civil rights, employment discrimination, and election law.
She was invited to appear on-air for the television show Court TV (in 2000), to offer her legal analysis for legal cases in the news.
She was the Assistant Corporation Counsel for the city of Jersey City, until in 2001 she was promoted to Corporate Counsel; appointed by the late mayor (and Senator) Glenn D. Cunningham where she served until his death in 2004. In that role she managed a large legal department while advising nine department directors on all legal matters.
In 2005 Karen Desoto made it to a run off election for the seat of councilperson (Ward A), losing to Sottolano.
DeSoto first appeared as an on-air legal commentator and analyst for CourtTV beginning in 2000, until the station became TruTV and changed their format away from legal reporting. She also appeared during the subsequent years on MSNBC, The Today Show, Fox News, and CNN Headline News, until in 2013 she became an official legal analyst commentator for NBC News under contract. She has also been heard on national radio.
She was Professor of Law at Fairleigh Dickinson University and is currently a professor in the political science department of New Jersey City University.
Biography
DeSoto grew up in Hunterdon County, and has been a life-long resident of New Jersey. She currently lives with her husband and their son in Jersey City, New Jersey, and remains very active in the community as an activist, advocate, and mentor to local and regional organizations.

Awards & Achievements
* 2001 - First woman, Hispanic, and youngest lawyer to ever be appointed Chief Corporation Counsel for Jersey City, NJ. She was appointed by the late Mayor (and Senator) Glenn D. Cunningham.
*2010 - Humanitarian of the Year” award by Bayonne Youth Center
* 2010 - #49 on Top 50 Most Influential People in Hudson County
* 2010 Attorney of the Year - Puerto Rican Heritage Foundation
* 2010 - Nominated by Governor Chris Christie (New Jersey) to Board of Trustees of New Jersey City University.
Organizations
DeSoto is a member of the following associations and organizations:
* New Jersey Bar Association
* Cunningham Foundation, mentor and member of the Board of Trustees.
* Head Start Program for Jersey City, board member.
* New Jersey City University, member of the Board of Trustees
* Ray of Hope Foundation, Co-founder.

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