When Good Bones ended its run in 2023, many fans believed it marked the final chapter of Karen E. Laine’s public-facing career. But as of May 28, 2025, Laine has stunned her followers by revealing a major career twist that brings her full circle—back to the courtroom.
In a heartfelt and unexpectedly bold Instagram post, Laine announced she’s officially returning to her roots as a criminal defense attorney, reigniting a profession she put on pause years ago to build a house-flipping empire with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk. But this isn’t just a career switch—it’s a reclamation of purpose.
Before becoming a staple on HGTV, Karen Laine spent years practicing law in Indianapolis. Her decision to step away from legal work and co-found Two Chicks and a Hammer with Mina marked a dramatic pivot into the world of renovation. What began as a side hustle eventually grew into Good Bones, the hit series that debuted in 2016 and aired for eight successful seasons.
While Laine retired from the family business in 2019, she remained a central figure on the show, lending her creativity and problem-solving skills to countless renovation projects. Viewers came to love her blend of no-nonsense logic and quirky charm, often showcased in her artistic DIY contributions. However, after the show concluded in 2023 and amid mounting personal shifts, Laine began to reflect on the next meaningful chapter of her life.
Now, nearly two years later, she’s stepping back into the legal arena—this time, with renewed vigor and a fresh perspective gained from years spent helping houses—and people—find new life.
On May 28, Laine posted the update to Instagram, revealing she had joined Indianapolis attorney Josiah Swinney to restart her criminal defense practice. Her words carried a sense of calm determination, echoing both her legal expertise and her emotional readiness to face challenges anew.
“Followers are used to seeing my crafting and home improvement content, which I will continue to post,” she began, before shifting the focus. “But there will be some changes because I am excited to be joining Josiah Swinney to restart my criminal defense practice.”
But it was her personal reflection on the parallels between law and renovation that truly resonated.
“I meet people charged with a crime or a run-down house on their worst day,” she wrote. “It is my job to understand what went wrong, and then use my skills to turn the story in a new direction. As an attorney, I am committed to protecting the constitutional rights of people charged with crimes.”
That perspective—seeing potential where others see ruin—is exactly what made Laine such a force on Good Bones. Now, she’s channeling that same energy into something far deeper: advocating for people who’ve hit rock bottom and fighting for justice.
The comment section quickly filled with words of admiration and support. “Wonderful Karen! It’s great to see you using your legal know-how!” one fan exclaimed. Another added, “WOW! You never cease to amaze me but that’s in your nature to always help people.”
But perhaps the most telling comment came from someone who had experienced her work firsthand:
“I can personally say that @kelaine217 is one of the best attorneys. She fought for me and my family. She cares deeply about her clients. She’s a bulldog in the courtroom.”
This wasn’t just nostalgia or admiration for her TV personality—this was a testament to her real-world impact. It’s clear that Laine is stepping back into a profession that once defined her—and still holds a deep connection to her values.
Of course, fans of Good Bones know that Laine’s return to law coincides with personal complications. Her relationship with daughter Mina Starsiak Hawk has been publicly strained for some time. While Laine has largely kept quiet about the rift, Starsiak Hawk spoke more openly on her podcast Mina AF, which ended in June 2024.
In a particularly revealing October 2023 episode, Mina said plainly: “We do not talk.” That was a far cry from earlier comments where she mentioned they could still “coexist” and “be pleasant enough” at family functions.
The emotional distance between the two became more evident during the 2024 HGTV spinoff Good Bones: New Beginnings, which featured the mother and daughter working on separate renovation projects in different states. While viewers hoped the show might bridge their divide, it ultimately underscored how far apart they had grown—both personally and professionally.
Karen Laine’s return to the legal world isn’t just a professional revival—it’s an emotional reclaiming of her voice, identity, and purpose. After years in the spotlight, amidst family complications and career shifts, she’s choosing a path that feels truer to her core.
It’s not a goodbye to DIY or creativity; rather, it’s a reinvention of how she channels those strengths. Whether she’s building homes or building legal defenses, Karen Laine is proving once again that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
And for those who watched her turn broken-down homes into beautiful spaces, there’s little doubt she’ll bring the same heart—and tenacity—to every courtroom she walks into.
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