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Katharine (Katie) Sullivan, Principal Deputy Director
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Staff Profile
Former Acting Director

Katharine Sullivan

Katharine (Katie) Sullivan currently serves as the Acting Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  Prior to joining OVW, Ms. Sullivan was appointed in 2007 to the state trial court bench in the  5th Judicial District County Court, Eagle County, Colorado.  Ms. Sullivan presided over 45,000 criminal and civil cases in Eagle County, Colorado during her 11 years as a state trial court judge.  She handled multiple domestic violence and sexual assault sentencings and jury trials.  Ms. Sullivan worked with victims advocates, victim representatives, law enforcement and court staff to develop procedures and policies to ensure victim’s rights in her courtroom.  Ms. Sullivan also implemented and presided over two problem solving courts.  In 2016 she was awarded 5th Judicial District Judge of the Year. 

Prior to becoming a Judge in the 5th Judicial District, Ms. Sullivan served as a Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s 9th Judicial District.  Ms. Sullivan prosecuted many cases involving domestic violence under Colorado’s revised domestic violence law.  She served as the District Attorney representative on a community based collaborative domestic violence task force.  When Ms. Sullivan entered private practice, she served on the Victim Compensation Board.  Ms. Sullivan received her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and her J.D from George Washington University.

Ms. Sullivan joined OVW in January 2018. Ms. Sullivan is passionate about OVW’s coordinated community response and multidisciplinary team focus on combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.  In her capacity as the leader of OVW she has represented the United States in the North American Leadership Summit at meetings of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls.  As the Acting Director of OVW, Ms. Sullivan is responsible for setting policy, implementing programs, providing testimony to Congress, presiding over VAWA statutory tribal consultation, and representing the mission of the office at speaking events and conferences nationwide. 

Acting Director Katharine Sullivan Of The Justice Department’s Office On Violence Against Women Delivers Remarks At Annual Conference On Crimes Against Women
Acting Director Katharine Sullivan of the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women Delivers Remarks at the National Discussion on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at America's Colleges, Universities, and Service Academies
Acting Director Katharine Sullivan of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women Delivers Remarks at 19th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference
Acting Director Katharine Sullivan of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women Delivers Remarks at the National Sexual Assault Conference
Acting Director Katharine Sullivan of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women Delivers Remarks at National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Annual Conference
Updated March 2, 2020