Karen Garnett is a partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the Capital Markets Group.
Karen’s practice focuses on regulatory matters under the federal securities laws, equity finance transactions and public company advisory services. Karen advises public companies on applying and interpreting the federal securities laws and regulations, including requirements governing public company registration, reporting and disclosure.
Karen joined Proskauer following almost 24 years on the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Most recently, she was an Associate Director in the Division of Corporation Finance, where she led the disclosure review program. Karen routinely provided guidance on a broad range of complex transactions and disclosure matters. She oversaw the work of several industry-focused review teams and has significant experience in disclosure relating to REITs and commodity pools. As a senior officer, Karen helped develop many of the Division’s policies and procedures, and she worked closely with staff across the SEC on matters involving broker-dealers, investment companies, and novel financial products.
Education
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D., 1990
- Dartmouth College, B.A., 1986
Admissions & Qualifications
- District of Columbia
- Arkansas
Memberships
Institute for Portfolio Alternatives, Board Member
American Bar Association, Federal Regulation of Securities Committee, Vice-Chair of the Public Company Reporting and Compliance Subcommittee
DC Bar Association, Co-Chair of the Corporate Law and Business Committee
Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), Member
Nareit Best Financial Practices Council, Member
Awards & Recognition
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Meritorious Impact Award, 2016
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Byron Woodside Award, 2005
The Legal 500 United States: Capital Markets: Debt Offerings: Advice to Issuers 2019
The Legal 500 United States: Capital Markets: Equity Offerings: Advice to Issuers 2019
The Legal 500 United States: Capital Markets: High Yield Deft Offerings: Advice to Issuers 2019
Government Service
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Division of Corporation Finance, 1995-2018
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Division of Investment Management, 1994-1995