Since it’s founding in 1920, the ACLU has held steadfast to the singularly important goal of holding America and American lawmakers accountable to the values set forth in our US Constitution. 
Staff Counsel Since 2008, Karen Sheley has worked as an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. She represents the ACLU and its clients in First Amendment and national security cases. She frequently speaks on LGBT rights, including the Illinois’ Civil Union act and the intersection of LGBT rights and First Amendment rights.
Ms. Sheley graduated from Columbia Law School in 2004. After graduating, she joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton as an associate. She then served as a law clerk for the Honorable David G. Trager of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Prior to joining the ACLU, she was an associate at Meites, Mulder, Mollica and Glink, representing plaintiffs in employment discrimination and ERISA litigation.