Starting as an intern for the prosecutor’s office in Clark County, WA, Katie Kauffman participated in five trials before she even graduated from law school. Since switching over to defense, she swiftly moved from a misdemeanor caseload to a felony caseload. She takes on difficult cases, such as homicides and sex offenses, because she believes that everyone deserves a zealous advocate. In her career as a criminal defense attorney at Vancouver Defenders, Katie’s caseload has focused on aiding indigent clients charged with serious violent and sex offenses, though she also handles retained work throughout the state of Washington and is also on the Criminal Justice Act panel for appointment in complex criminal federal cases. In 2018, Katie won the Clark County Trial Attorney of the Year award for her remarkable ability to “leave it on the field.” In the courtroom, she is a zealous advocate for her clients, but outside of the courtroom, her friendly and calm demeanor make her a favorite among her colleagues and opposing counsel.