Karen is a commercial barrister with specialist experience in insolvency and company law. She is most often briefed in large international commercial litigation and arbitrations involving complex financial structures.
Karen holds a Master of Corporate Law (First Class) from the University of Cambridge, where she was awarded a Jennings Prize for first class performance in the final examinations. She holds a Bachelor of Law (First Class) and a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Prior to coming to the bar, Karen was a solicitor at Allen & Overy LLP in London and New York.
Karen is admitted to practise in England and Wales, all Australian jurisdictions and is registered as a foreign lawyer of the SICC.
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International cases
- Acting for Credit Suisse Asset Management in connection with some of its exposures to Greensill Capital UK, (2022 and 2023), led by R Higgins SC and R Newlinds SC (now Judge Newlinds), instructed by Gilbert + Tobin (cross-border insolvency).
- Advising Accolade Wines on Australian law in connection with a global restructuring (cross-border restructuring).
- Kelly (liquidator), in the matter of Halifax Investment Services Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Loo [2021] FCA 531; In the matter of Halifax New Zealand Limited (in liquidation) [2021] NZHC 1113 led by R Scruby SC, instructed by Gilbert + Tobin (cross-border insolvency; financial services insolvency).
- Acting for a listed Singapore company in a SCMA arbitration, (ongoing) led by R Cordara KC, instructed by HFW (commercial shipping).
- Michele Bottiglieri Amatore SpA, in the matter of Michele Bottiglieri Amatore SpA [2021] FCA 795 unled, instructed by HWL Ebsworth (cross-border insolvency).
- Duncan (Trustee) v Shrestha, in the matter of Shrestha [2022] FCA 1601, unled, instructed by Gilbert + Tobin (cross-border insolvency).
- In the matter of Rizzo-Bottiglieri-de Carlini Armatori SpA (trustees in bankruptcy appointed) (no. 2) [2018] FCA 1067, led by A M Stewart SC, instructed by HWL Ebsworth (cross-border insolvency).
Australian cases
- Acting for Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Western Australia (Civ 3041 of 2010 and CIV 2617 of 2012), (ongoing) led by N Hutley SC, P Brereton SC, J Lockhart SC, C Bova SC, C Colquhoun SC and J Hutton SC (and others), instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth (partnership, contract, directors’ duties).
- Advising Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd in connection with a domestic arbitration, led by N Hutley SC, C Colquhoun SC, J Hutton SC (and others) instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth (trusts, directors’ duties).
- Commissioner of State Revenue v Gleeson, in the matter of Dalma Form Specialist Pty Ltd (subject to deed of company arrangement) [2024] FCA 908, unled, instructed by Craddock Murray Newman (termination of deed of company arrangement).
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Bit Trade Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 953, led by J Giles SC (cryptocurrency regulation).
- Sev.en Gamma A/S in connection with its exposure to the collapse of the Callide C Power Station, 2023, led by S Doyle KC, C Withers SC, leading M Gvozdenovic (appointment of special purpose administrator).
- In the matter of Pendal Group Limited [2022] NSWSC 1575; [2023] NSWSC 14, led by J Sheahan KC, with R Jameson, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills (scheme of arrangement).
- Shiny (Trustee), in the matter of Navigate Global Payments Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) [2023] FCA 1089, unled for the Receivers and Managers, instructed by Marque Lawyers (termination of a deed of company arrangement).
- Magellan Asset Management Limited as responsible entity for the Magellan Global Fund [2023] NSWSC 1332, led by C N Bova SC, instructed by Allen & Overy (shareholder dispute).
- Maersk A/S v Patti [2022] FCA 663, led by J Hogan-Doran SC, instructed by HWL Ebsworth (shipping, strike-out of defence).
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Westpac Banking Corporation (Omnibus) [2022] FCA 515, led by D Hogan-Doran SC and J Hewitt, instructed by AGS (financial services regulation).
- Krejci, in the matter of Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd (in liq) [2021] FCA 1483, led by S Golledge SC, instructed by Bartier Perry (financial services insolvency).
- In the matter of Colour Metal Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1012 unled, instructed by HFW (set-aside statutory demand).
- In the matter of Pacific Steelfixing Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 655 unled, instructed by McInnes Wilson (unfair preference; insolvent transaction); [2021] NSWSC 1129, (personal costs against liquidator).
- Strawbridge, in the matter of Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (administrators appointed) (No 8) [2020] FCA 1344, led by A McGrath SC, instructed by Gadens (deed of company arrangement).
- Hutson (liquidator), in the matter of WDS Limited (in liq) (Receivers and Managers Appointed) [2020] FCA 299, led by F Assaf SC, instructed by Gilbert + Tobin (liquidation; pooling).
- Aberdeen Bear Pty Ltd v MJJK Investments Pty Ltd; MJJK Investments Pty Ltd v Calvert [2024] NSWSC 722, led by D A McLure SC, (shareholder dispute / contractual interpretation).
- Chandrasekaran v Western Sydney Local Health District & Charterhouse Medical Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 288l; [2021] NSWSC 920, unled at first instance and in the appeal, instructed by Norton Rose Fulbright.
- Lepcanfin Pty Ltd v Lepfin & ors [2020] NSWCA 155; [2019] NSWSC 1328, led by V Whittaker SC, instructed by HFW (review of expert determination; interpretation of dispute resolution clauses).
- Other domestic and international commercial arbitrations, including as Australian counsel in a SIAC international arbitration; and acting for SAI Global in a commercial arbitration, led by I M Jackman SC.