Who I am

Karen is an attorney whose practice includes business and real estate, specifically contracts, syndication, and negotiation. Karen spent her early career in litigation and insurance defense work, followed by 10 years as general counsel for a real estate investment trust with over $1 billion in assets. Currently, she provides counsel to small business clients, but focuses most of her time on music and performing arts education in Santa Barbara. Prior to law school at the University of Denver, Karen was an instrumental music teacher and holds a Bachelor of music education in addition to her JD.

  • Law
  • Dolor

Legal Practice

Karen’s favorite area of legal practice is reviewing and negotiating contracts, particularly those related to real estate acquisition, divestment, and syndication. Overseeing the due diligence process in a large acquisition is fun! Karen has been lead counsel on over $500 million in multi family acquisitions and $275 million in sales, with another $350 million in refinances. A stand alone service Karen provides is preparation of the Borrower’s Opinion Letter for Fannie Mae acquisitions. She also provides counsel, drafting and negotiation for a variety of business matters both large and small. If you need a full syndication package (non SEC) or a simple review of loan documents, contact Karen.

Education, Music and Performing Arts Advocacy

Since leaving full time law practice several years ago, Karen has become increasingly more active in the greater Santa Barbara area advocating for and volunteering in the education, music, and performing arts community. This is a vibrant part of Santa Barbara’s culture, and one which presents increasingly exciting opportunities. The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation and the Santa Barbara Symphony Association are two of Karen’s favorite music education philanthropies. Ask about the community funding for musical instruments Karen is working on with the Bowl Foundation. It is one of her most exciting challenges!

Non-profit Philanthropy and Volunteer Work

Karen has been an active member of the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation’s Outreach committee since 2007 and joined the Board as a director in 2016. She is currently vice chair of the Board and chairs Outreach. Karen served on the Hutton Parker Foundation grant selection committee for 3 years and chaired the Measure H Parcel Tax Citizen’s Oversight Committee from 2010-2013. From 2008-2014 Karen was a director for the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Association, where she chaired the education committee, was on executive committee, and was board counsel. Other community service includes service on the Montecito Union School District Board of Trustees from 1998-2002, president in 2001, appointment to the Small Districts Advisory Committee in Sacramento, and interviewing student candidates for the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation.

Other Fun Stuff

Karen owns a number of residential rental properties in several locations in California. Attending live music performances, travel, reading, and photography keep Karen busy in her leisure time. Her newest artistic endeavor is writing. Karen and her husband have three grown children who live in the bay area.

In September 2019 Karen was elected to the board of directors for Royale Energy, Inc. (OTCQB: ROYL). Royale is an independent oil and natural gas company with assets and production in numerous states, the bulk of its production in CA and TX.

Say hi to Karen