Karen focuses her practice on civil litigation, construction, real estate, energy, and commercial matters.
Karen’s practice includes commercial litigation, risk management, alternate dispute resolution, commercial real estate development and land use, construction contracts and disputes, insurance defense, and insurance coverage.
Karen has co-authored chapters on commercial general liability insurance in Virginia Insurance Law and insurance coverage in the Virginia Construction Law Deskbook.
Karen graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as Senior Notes Editor for the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review. She earned her B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Colgate University. Prior to law school, Karen worked in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
In addition to her law practice, Karen recently completed a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Foothills Child Advocacy Center, a three-year term as the Secretary of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, and a two-year term as Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative Committee at the Urban Land Institute of Virginia.
Thought Leadership
“Protecting Payments on Construction Projects from Bankruptcy Estate Claw-Backs,” Virginia Lawyer, June 2019
Attorney Perspectives
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Energy Regulation In Virginia: State Corporation Commission’s Broad Discretion
September 10, 2020 -
Condo Association’s Insurer Allowed to Pursue Subrogation Claim Against Condo Owner’s Tenant
August 5, 2020 -
Virginia Supreme Court Permits Supplier’s Unjust Enrichment Claim Against Contractor, Despite Lack of Contractual Privity
June 29, 2020 -
Commercial General Liability Policies: Workmanship Exclusion and Ensuing Loss Exception
October 16, 2019 -
Defective Contractual Performance Is Not an “Occurrence” Under a Commercial General Liability Policy
August 23, 2019 -
Easement Prevents Road Over Pipelines
July 9, 2019 -
Economic Loss Rule Update
July 2, 2019 -
Dangers of Arbitration: Decisions Stand Even if Contrary to Law
April 2, 2019 -
Importance of Narrowly Tailoring Indemnity Provisions in Construction Contracts
March 25, 2019 -
Teaming Agreement Created No Enforceable Post-Award Obligations
February 22, 2019
Speaking Engagements
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ULI Virginia - Women's Leadership Initiative | Renewable Energy Panel Discussion
May 20, 2021 -
ULI Virginia - Women's Leadership Initiative | Equitable Housing Panel Discussion
September 23, 2020 -
Associated General Contractors of Virginia - Piedmont District | Insurance Coverage on Construction Projects
March 4, 2020 -
Associated General Contractors of Va | Construction Case Law Update
January 26, 2019
Recognition
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WRVB Promotes Five to Principal
February 7, 2023