Karen J. Mathis (born November 7, 1950)[1] is an American lawyer, former President of the American Bar Association, and former CEO and President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Following an active career as a member of the American Bar Association – where she chaired its 30,000-member General Practice Solo & Small Firm Section, its Commission on Women in the Profession, and its House of Delegates – Mathis served as President of the ABA from 2005–2006.
As president, she helped to create the Youth at Risk program; the Commission on Second Season of Service; the DirectWomen program; and convened the Rule of Law Symposia.
[6] In 2007, she was named as one of the "50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal.
[7] Mathis is currently the Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Denver's Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System.