UM Directory
Karen Peters-Van Essen
Assistant Professor
Contact Information
- Department:
- School Of Law/dean
- Email:
- karen.peters-vanessen@umontana.edu
- Phone:
- (406) 243-2503
Karen Van Essen is an Assistant Professor of Law and her courses include Professional Responsibility, Trial Practice, and White-Collar Crime. Professor Van Essen’s research interests focus on international anti-corruption. Prior to joining the faculty, she was a partner at a national law firm and she has significant experience counseling international companies on their business ethics and compliance programs. Professor Van Essen also practiced white-collar criminal defense and civil litigation. Outside of academia, she enjoys historically preserving a Victorian brick house built in 1898, which is located on her family’s ranch in Southwest Montana where she grew up.
Education
- J.D., Order of the Coif, University of Oregon (2008)
- Ph.D., Political Science, University of Oregon
- M.Sc., Political Science, University of Oregon
- M.A., International Relations, University of Chicago
- B.Sc., University of Wyoming
Courses Taught
- White-Collar Crime
- Professional Responsibility
- Trial Practice
Professional Experience
Partner/Associate, ArentFox Schiff, LLP, Los Angeles, CA (2011-2024)
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Milan D. Smith, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (2010-2011)
Associate, Cable Huston, LLP, Portland, OR (2009-2010)
Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Michael Mosman, U.S. District Court, Oregon (2008-2009)