Karen’s practice focuses on complex intellectual property litigation and counseling, with a specific focus on pharmaceutical and biotechnology-related patent matters.

Prior to her legal career, Karen worked for more than 10 years in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, first as a research scientist and then as a patent agent. During her time as a patent agent, she procured a wide array of patents worldwide covering genes, proteins, antibodies, and methods of diagnosing and treating patients, as well as small molecule pharmaceutical products and formulations. In addition to her patent prosecuting experience, Karen advised members of the scientific staff on a variety of matters relating to patent, regulatory, and Hatch-Waxman issues.

Karen also focuses on providing a range of counseling services to her clients, including due diligence and freedom-to-operate analyses, patent valuations, and licensing advice. Additionally, she has handled matters involving technologies outside of her bio-pharmaceutical expertise, including matters in the areas of mechanical devices, computer and computer software devices, telecommunications, and medical devices.

Karen is highly committed to providing pro bono services to clients and regularly serves as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem in Adult Guardianship disputes for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Karen worked for Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Codon Pharmaceuticals, and the Department of Neuropathology at Johns Hopkins University.