Caroline McGroder

Altruistic attorney / coach / mentor / friend / your new support system. 

I am on a mission to bridge the gap between the corporate and the personal, to help those struggling within the legal community find direction, purpose and peace. 

I have spent over a decade working on some of the world’s most high profile human rights cases, securing the rights of victims and their families. My years spent witnessing the effects of the worst of humanity would have been a whole lot harder without my own support system, a network of inspiring individuals within the legal community, as well as my incredible family and friends. 

Practice areas:

  • Catastrophic injury and wrongful death

  • Aviation disasters

  • Construction accidents

  • Dram shop/bar

  • Fire and explosions

  • Insurance and bad faith

  • Legal and other professional liability

  • Medical malpractice

  • Motor vehicle and commercial trucking collisions

  • Negligence

  • Nursing home and elder abuse

  • Defective products

  • Sexual assault/misconduct

My career began at Creighton University, where I secured a degree in American Studies.

My career began at Creighton University, where I secured a degree in American Studies. I spent a number of years working as an aide to the late Senator John McCain, before returning to Arizona to study law, supplementing my degree with a clerkship in the Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury division at a well-known law firm. 

Following graduation, I spent several years practicing wrongful death and catastrophic injury law, before returning to Washington DC. Here, I obtained a Master of Laws in International Human Rights from American University.

What followed was a period spent working with mass atrocity crimes. I worked on cases involving human trafficking, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. I was trained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, before spending time as an Assistant Attorney General back in Arizona, working on cases involving child abuse, child sex crimes and neglect. 

Over the years I have achieved a number of distinctions and certifications. I have a certification from Harvard University in Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice, I am certified by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and I am the Chair of Community Outreach for the Action for Human Rights.

I’ve hosted a workshop on African Survivors of Domestic Empowerment and I am on the Board of Directors for both the Cultural Coalition and One Vision One World. 

In addition to my law career, I serve as an Adjunct Professor in the Paralegal Department of Phoenix College. Here, I teach legal Writing and Civil Procedure, a role which allows me to both inspire and be inspired by young, passionate law students. 

Underpinning my career is the desire to help those who are struggling, and I have worked alongside a number of non-profit organisations to secure support for victims of natural disasters, homeless individuals, and children who have been adversely impacted by abuse and neglect. 

Within the legal profession, I have been lucky enough to find passion, support, dedication and healing. It is my mission to help others within the community find the same, to understand that a fulfilling career in law can support good mental health and bring about a sense of peace. Those who are struggling within the community often need someone to reach out to, and I want to be that person. 

I am determined to make a change, bringing support, direction and practical advice to those in the legal community who require a helping hand. 

Education

  • Xavier College Preparatory

  • Creighton University, B.A.

  • University of Notre Dame, American Studies Exchange Program

  • Phoenix School of Law, JD

  • American University Washington College of Law, LLM International Human Rights

Papers

McGroder, Caroline, “Nigeria’s Internal Armed Conflict and Impunity for Serious Crimes: Boko Haram and the Domestic State Violated International Law and Survivors are Entitled to Reparations”

December 16, 2018

McGroder, Caroline, “Are the Needs of Survivors being Adequately Considered? A Look at Client-Centered Human Rights Lawyering and Advocacy through the Case of ISIS Enslavement Survivor Nadia Murad”

May 7, 2018

McGroder, Caroline, “TLOA and VAWA: A Response to Violence Against Native American Women and Feminist Theory Considerations Post-Implementation”

December 14, 2017

Memberships, Distinctions & Activities

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers Delegate to the Four Courts in Dublin, Ireland

  • Security Clearance, United States Department of State, Top Secret

  • Certified by Harvard University, Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice

  • Certified by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy

  • Action for Human Rights, Chair of Community Outreach

  • Symposium: Female Genital Mutilation in the United States and a Call for Action, Co-organizer

  • African Survivors of Domestic Empowerment Workshop, Host

  • Phoenix College Paralegal Department, Adjunct Professor

  • Childhelp, Fundraiser

  • Cultural Coalition, Board of Directors

  • One Vision One World, Board of Directors

  • The Theatre Artists Studio, Volunteer

  • Phoenix Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 – 2021

  • Xavier College Preparatory Alumnae Board

  • Goodwill of Arizona Foundation Board

Admissions

U.S. District Court