Willow Karfiol strides into the Los Angeles County Courthouse every morning carrying the weight of a motto that’s etched into the DNA of her office: “For the People.”
As a deputy district attorney for one of the nation’s largest and most complex legal jurisdictions, Karfiol navigates the gray areas of justice with determination, empathy and a sense of purpose rooted in her lifelong passion for advocacy.
“What really inspired me to find my dream job [at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office] was finding a career where I could help others and use my discretion to do so,” Karfiol said. “Every day we say, ‘For the People,’ and that considers the defendant, not just the victim, as they’re a part of the community as well.”
This perspective has shaped Karfiol’s approach to justice since she joined the DA’s office, where she oversees misdemeanor cases from arraignment to trial in the Preliminary Hearing Division.
Influences in her life
Karfiol’s inspiration to enter the legal field came from her mother, an entertainment lawyer with her own practice.
“She never pushed that career onto me, but I’ve always seen how much she enjoys being a lawyer, even to this day,” Karfiol said. “While criminal and entertainment lawyers are very different, I saw how my mom, an intelligent, independent and outspoken woman, made a career for herself in law, and she always shared with me how much she loves what she does. I wanted to find that passion for myself, which I did at LADA.”
Karfiol’s undergraduate years at American University in Washington, D.C., fueled her interest in criminal justice. Living in a city steeped in legal and political history, Karfiol delved into classes that probed criminology, policing models and systemic justice.
“Being in college in Washington, D.C., taking classes in criminal justice and law furthered my interest in criminal law, specifically understanding criminology and why people commit crime,” she said. “It’s not a black-and-white answer, and as a result, neither is the solution.”
When she graduated from American University, law school seemed like the next step. She looked for a school that balanced rigorous academics with a strong commitment to public service and found Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
“What drew me to Southwestern is its roots in public service and its renowned trial advocacy program,” she said. “I wanted to be surrounded by diverse, like-minded peers who wanted to change the world with me, motivate me and inspire me. I’m lucky that I found a great law school that cares about its students and helps them find their passions, just like my mom did for me.”
The Trial Advocacy Honors Program (TAHP) played a key role in refining Karfiol’s trial skills. It offered hands-on practice in direct and cross examination, opening and closing arguments and evidentiary rules.
Through its intense mock trial competitions, the program teaches participants to collaborate with trial partners yet think independently, with guidance from experienced trial attorneys and alumni coaches.
As an alumna, Karfiol has been able to pay it forward by coaching these mock trial teams.
“It’s an incredible reward, being able to work with current students to hone their trial advocacy skills, because I know how much that experience meant to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be the trial attorney I am today without the TAHP, as it’s given me the confidence to be uncomfortable but the humility to ask for help when needed.”
Lessons in integrity
Karfiol earned her J.D. from Southwestern in 2022. She credits her law school education with instilling in her a fundamental principle that she applies daily: honesty.
“Honesty has a huge bearing on your character and the reputation you build for yourself,” she said. “Whether speaking to a judge in court, negotiating with the defense bar or debriefing with my supervisor, I am always honest and transparent about the information I know or do not know.
“Especially being a prosecutor, we’re given so much discretion, and in many ways, I think we are held to a higher standard, a higher moral standard. As I tell my witnesses, the most important thing is just to tell the truth; we don’t make up facts.”
This emphasis on integrity has guided Karfiol’s career, but her understanding of her role has also been influenced by personal experience. She remembers a moment from her student volunteer days when she and her fellow summer clerks were observing a murder trial.
During a break, they stepped out into the courthouse hallway.
“Some of the volunteers started laughing and joking around,” she said. “It felt normal at the time, until I noticed who I thought was the defendant’s family nearby.”
The realization hit hard: For her, it was just another day of courtroom observation, but for them, it was likely one of the hardest days of their lives.
That experience became a grounding reminder of the emotional weight carried by the people at the center of every case.
“It really taught me to be more selfaware,” Karfiol said. “The work we do might feel routine to us, but it can be someone else’s worst day.”
Life as a prosecutor
Currently assigned to the Preliminary Hearing Division in downtown Los Angeles, Karfiol focuses on misdemeanors.
She handles the entire lifecycle of a case, all the way from arraignment to pretrial to trial and post-conviction.
One unexpected benefit has been the chance to be part of a closely knit criminal law community, even in a jurisdiction as large as Los Angeles County. The relationships she’s formed through court assignments have become a highlight for her.
“What surprised me the most is actually how small the criminal law community is,” Karfiol said. “As someone that identifies as an introvert, it’s been one of the best parts of the job, running into old colleagues wherever I go, because it’s never goodbye; it’s until next time.”
She said teamwork is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. Whether it’s coordinating with law enforcement, working closely with a trial partner or collaborating with defense attorneys, she values the sense of camaraderie and shared effort within her office.
“What made me fall in love with our office is the culture,” she said. “I never feel alone because I always know there’s someone around the corner to help me.”
That help can come in many forms. It might be a colleague who finds time to grab a needed document or someone stepping in to explain how to introduce evidence for the first time. Other times, it’s a quick conversation in the hallway about trial strategy.
She also finds meaning in working with defense attorneys to address mental health issues among defendants.
“Unfortunately, a lot of defendants have serious mental health problems,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to have had experiences with the defense where we find a solution to get their clients the mental health services they need.
“I think the community truly benefits when we work together where we can.”
As she looks to the future, Karfiol envisions a long-term career as a district attorney. She hopes to work in specialized units such as the Gang Homicide Division or Crimes Against Peace Officers.
Her interest in these areas stems from internships she completed with both units, during which she gained insights into the important and complex cases they handle.
Karfiol recommends career exploration to law students.
“It’s important to find what you’re passionate about,” she said. “It’s not always easy, and sometimes you have to try on a few different hats, but it’s well worth it.”
