Karen counsels clients through unusual problems and special situations, providing comprehensive municipal law advice, including legislative drafting. Her experience extends to distressed community finances, particularly under Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Karen’s clients include cities, towns, and various state, regional, and municipal agencies financing public projects, such as schools, health care facilities, water supply, wastewater, recreational facilities, and economic development initiatives. She also serves as underwriter’s counsel to investment banking firms and advises higher education and health care institutions on bond financings.

• Served as bond counsel on a professional soccer stadium financing secured by economic activity taxes and increment taxes.
• Served as counsel to the state of Rhode Island in the precedent-setting Central Falls Chapter 9 Bankruptcy, navigating complex municipal insolvency issues and setting a significant legal precedent for distressed municipalities.
• Advises institutions of higher education and health care providers on bond financings for educational and health care facilities, particularly with compliance and securing necessary funding for critical infrastructure.
• Represents national investment banking firms as underwriters’ counsel, facilitating bond issuances and overseeing regulatory compliance.
• Developed deep experience in water and wastewater financing.
• Provides advice and renders opinions in connection with the issuance of general obligation bonds and special revenue bonds by governmental issuers at all levels, offering creative financing solutions to meet public funding needs.

• Providence Business News, Legal Services Industry Leader, Business Awards (2023)
• Best Lawyers in America®, Public Finance Law (2007-2024)
• Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Public Finance (2015, 2021, 2024, 2026)
• AV Rating® (Pre-Eminent), Martindale-Hubbell