Karl Labertew earned his bachelors degree in Marine Affairs, specializing in maritime transportation, port operations, and coastal zone management from the University of Rhode Island, completing his degree in two and a half years.  While attending the University of Rhode Island, he was on active duty in the United States Navy, stationed at Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island, as an engineering instructor.  Prior to his duty in Newport, he spent several years as a propulsion plant operator on nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

After retiring from the Navy in 1999, Karl attended Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, graduating with his juris doctor in 2002.  While in school he worked as a certified legal intern for the Office of Jack Behr, Public Defender for the First Judicial Circuit in Pensacola, Florida, through the Gillis Long Poverty Clinic of Loyola University.  He represented numerous persons charged with misdemeanor crimes in county courts in Pensacola, Florida.  After graduating, he accepted employment with the Office of the Public Defender in Pensacola, and worked as an assistant public defender in both county and circuit courts.

Recently, Karl was the criminal division supervisor for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel for the First DCA Region, a newly created state agency tasked with the handling of criminal cases the public defender’s office withdraws from.  He assisted with the creation of the Pensacola office, establishing the protocols for the new agency and overseeing a staff of 6 attorneys and 13 criminal court divisions.  He was also responsible for handling numerous serious felony cases, including first degree murder and vehicular homicides, as well as armed robberies and violent sexual crimes.

Karl is married to Amy and they have three children; Taylor, Andrew, and Lauren, and reside in Pace, Florida.  They are members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pensacola, where they are active volunteers in the Preschool Ministry Program.

Areas of Practice:
- Appellate and Insurance Coverage
- Premises Liability
- Construction Defects
- Mold
- Medical Malpractice
- Claim Administration and Bad Faith

Bar Admissions:
- 2002, Florida
- 2004, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida

Education:
- Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (J.D., 2002)
- University of Rhode Island (B.A., 1996)
   Honors: Dean's List 1996

Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Florida Bar (2002 - Present)
- Federal Bar for the Northern District of Florida (2004 - Present)
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003 - 2009)
- American Bar Association (2002 - 2004)