Carol was admitted to practice law in Washington in 1995, after being a registered nurse for 26 years. Carol attended the University of Washington graduating in 1972 and then went on to Seattle University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude in 1995. Before becoming an attorney, she served as Kitsap County Fire Commissioner, chaired the Kitsap County Emergency Medical Services Council and the Washington-Northwest Regional Emergency Medical Services Council and served on the Washington State Trauma Advisory Committee. Applying her extensive medical background to the law, she has secured just results for many victims of medical negligence.

Carol is the President of the Washington State Association for Justice, formerly the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association for 2010-2011, and she has served in numerous leadership capacities for the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, including serving as a Board member since 1997 and chairing of the Medical Negligence Section.