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Areas of expertise

Professional information

  • 2025: Admitted to the Faculty of Advocates
  • 2024 – 2025: Devil, Devilmasters: Elisabeth Roxburgh, Adam McKinlay, Ross G. Anderson and Jonathan Crowe
  • 2009-2024: Qualified solicitor in England and Wales (2012). Head of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel advising executive boards and senior management of international blue-chip companies.
  • 2009-2010: PG Diploma in EU Competition Law (with merit) at King’s College London
  • 2005 – 2009: Qualified solicitor in Scotland (2007) in private practice specialising in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and company and corporate matters (Shepherd & Wedderburn LLP).
  • 2002-2005: LLB (with distinction) and PG Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh

 

 

 

Professional experience

Karen has extensive knowledge of commercial contracts, dispute resolution, company and competition law. Karen is experienced in the resolution of commercial disputes using alternative dispute resolution and negotiated settlements.

As in-house counsel for major brands such as Heineken and ASOS plc, Karen has advised executive boards and management teams on a broad range of matters, combining legal rigour with commercial strategy. Karen is experienced in advising on high-value mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, restructures, and refinancing across public and private limited companies.

Throughout her career, Karen has negotiated a diverse range of complex commercial contracts, including intellectual property licences, exclusive distribution agreements, procurement contracts and major construction and automation agreements. Karen has successfully managed and resolved many confidential international and UK contractual disputes and warranty claims.

Karen has led projects and coordinated with external counsel to secure Phase 1 and Phase 2 merger approvals from the Competition and Markets Authority. Karen has also engaged directly with DG Competition on cross-border M&A activity and has consistently advised on antitrust issues throughout her in-house career.

During devilling, Karen’s experience in restructuring assisted her in extending her knowledge of restructuring and insolvency as a practice area. Karen also gained valuable experience in professional negligence and construction litigation in the Court of Session.