Karen A. Newton ColeExecutive Director

Karen A. Newton Cole

Karen Newton Cole is a native Washingtonian and proud graduate of the DC public school system who has dedicated her career to public service. Ms. Newton Cole graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (BA) and Antioch School of Law (predecessor to the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law). She received her MS from George Mason University in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Ms. Newton Cole began her legal career at NLSP, as a staff attorney and later a managing attorney. After 20 years of service at HUD as a member of the Senior Executive Service in key leadership roles, she returned to NLSP as its chief executive. Ms. Newton Cole is a Commissioner on the DC Access to Justice Commission, member of the DC Bar Board of Governors, a member of the NLADA Mutual Insurance Program Board of Directors and serves on the steering committee of the DC Consortium of Legal Services Providers.

In 2022, Ms. Newton Cole was inducted into the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law Hall of Fame and received the Washington Council of Lawyers 2021 President’s Award for Public Service for her leadership within the legal community during the pandemic.

Under Ms. Newton Cole’s leadership and direction, NLSP has flourished – increasing the number of employees by 100%, more than tripling its budget, and by establishing (in partnership with Covington and Burling) a $1.4 million endowment fund. And most proudly, the number of clients assisted by NLSP has increased by over 80% since 2018.

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