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Experience
Karen is the Head of the London Insurance and Reinsurance Group and a lead coordinator for the firm's Global Insurance and Reinsurance Industry Group, which operates worldwide to serve the firm's clients in the Insurance sector in all practice areas. Karen chairs the Strategy Committee of the London Office and was the Chair of the Working Party for the firm's move to 201 Bishopsgate in 2009.
With a background of over 20 years in the industry, Karen's professional focus is on high value, strategic matters in the Professional Liability and Financial Institutions arena, in Reinsurance contentious matters and Product Liability work. Karen is known for her unique ability to steer clients effectively through the most complex and sensitive challenges, coordinating teams of lawyers in a highly responsive and proactive manner. As a cross practice coordinator Karen is also involved in a number of non-contentious issues for the insurance industry.
Named as a Leading Individual in the latest Chambers and Legal 500 directories in both Insurance/Reinsurance Litigation and Professional Negligence, Karen has been described by clients as someone who received "numerous endorsements of her technical ability and capacity to advise on a range of matters" "charismatic" and "possesses sound business judgment and knows 'the right balance of when to be tough and when to be reasonable'" (Chambers UK 2007). More recently, the "well respected Karen Abbott" (Legal 500, 2008 ) has been hailed as "a dynamic innovator in the team." (Chambers & Partners UK Directory 2009 ). Her practice is noted for providing clients with "pragmatic advice" and an "excellent level of service" and Karen herself is noted for "her excellent market knowledge". She is "focused on ensuring that the client is satisfied" (Legal 500, 2009). Notable Engagements
- Extensive strategic and specific instructions from European market insurers and reinsurers in relation to Madoff matters
- Advising on the reinsurance implications of widespread mortgage fraud affecting several different professional indemnity accounts
- Representing European reinsurers in connection with the collapse of Icelandic Banks
- Advice to European insurers on matters relating to the potential exposure of a Financial Institution to the US Anti-Terrorism legislation arising out of terrorist attacks over several years
- Strategic advice on brokers' e&o matters
- Products Liability claims including allegedly contaminated products, alleged dangerous products and allegedly defective automotive components
- Advising in relation to Binding Authorities for the Lloyd's market
- Represented a captive insurance company in an arbitration (and subsequent proceedings in the Court of Appeal in England) that involved a multi-million pound reinsurance recovery.
- Advised on a wide range of issues in relation to the collapse of HIH and the resulting implications for both inward and outward books of business for a client.
- Represented both European and international markets in relation to the events of 9/11 in the US.
Education
University of Bristol, LLB Admitted
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