Karen E. O'Brien, an experienced corporate and commercial attorney, is Co-Chair of the Securities Department of the Firm's Business Section.  Ms. O'Brien's practice focuses on corporate, commercial, securities and transactional law.  Fluent in Spanish, Ms. O'Brien has represented numerous public and private companies, as well as sovereign governments and their agencies, in a broad array of significant transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, syndicated loans, debt issuances, mutual funds and private placements.  She has counseled clients extensively on compliance with federal securities laws and on negotiations involving loans and other commercial agreements.  Ms. O'Brien acted as regular counsel to the Government of Venezuela in connection with public and private debt issuances in the United States and Europe.  In addition to her commercial and corporate work, Ms. O'Brien has maintained an active pro bono practice, representing numerous clients in litigation and before federal agencies.  She gained significant experienced in corporate, commercial and securities law while working for the international law firms of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, as well as Rogers & Wells (now Clifford Chance), in New York City.  Before moving to Park City, she was a member of the Corporate and Securities Department of Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, D.C.  Since relocating to Park City in 2006, Ms. O'Brien has provided corporate, real estate and litigation services to a variety of clients in Park City and Salt Lake City.

Professional Affiliations
Utah State Bar
New York State Bar
District of Columbia Bar

Education and Clerkships
J.D., Boston College Law School, cum laude, (1998), Note Editor and member of the Boston College Law Review
B.S., Georgetown University, cum laude, (1994), National Spanish Honor Society, Regent's Citation and Dean's List for four years

Admitted to Practice
Utah
New York
District of Columbia

Community Affiliations
Park City Women's Business Network

Foreign Languages
Spanish (fluent)

Office Location
Park City/Salt Lake City
(435) 649-3889/(801) 237-0268

Email
kobrien@vancott.com

Practice Areas
Business Organizations
Financial Transactions
Governmental
Litigation
Securities