Judge Annette C. Karem was elected by the Jefferson County electorate to the Court of Appeals, District 4, Division 2, in November of 2022. Prior to this election she was a Jefferson County District Court Judge for 16 years, elected in 2006. She served as the Chief District Court Judge from 2020 through 2022.

As a District Court Judge, Judge Karem sat on the Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinating Council, the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, the Jail Policy Committee, the Restorative Justice Louisville Formation Committee, and the National Association of Women Judges, Domestic Violence Committee, among others. Additionally, she was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to the Notification Process Improvement Workgroup.

Prior to taking the bench, for 7 years Judge Karem was an Assistant Jefferson County Attorney prosecuting domestic violence, crimes against children, and sexual assault cases. In private practice before becoming a prosecutor, Judge Karem worked as an associate at both Williams & Wagoner Law Offices and Christina Norris Law Office. During that time she was a litigator with a successful trial and appellate practice. She is admitted to practice in Kentucky State Courts, the United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Karem earned her JD from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, an MBA from Bellarmine University and a BSBA from the University of Louisville. Additionally, she graduated from Assumption High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the years she has committed her time and talent to the betterment of the community by formerly participating as a board member of various charities including Family Scholar House, Habitat For Humanity, and Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board. She is also a former member of the Louis Brandeis, American Inn of Court. She and her family are members of Saint Agnes Parish and she and her husband were co-chairs of their parish summer festival.

Judge Karem is married to Scott Karem, a practicing attorney in Louisville. They are the proud parents of three young adults.