Karen M. Chau is an associate in the Litigation department of Hughes Hubbard & Reed’s New York office. Her practice includes work on a variety of complex civil, commercial, employee, and bankruptcy litigation, with experience representing clients in federal and state courts and FINRA arbitrations. She has represented both U.S. and international clients in a variety of industries, including the financial services, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries. Karen has also advised clients on a wide array of potential liabilities, regulatory and transactional compliance, enterprise risk management, and other legal rights and obligations.
Karen maintains an active and varied pro bono practice. She has defended pro bono clients in a variety of immigration and family court proceedings, as well as in civil rights actions in federal court.
Professional Activities and Recognition
Member, Pro Bono Committee
Court Admissions
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York
Northern District of New York
Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Highlighted Matters
Representing a major pharmaceutical company in litigation of contract dispute related to drug development
Representing the Trustee for the SIPA liquidation of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-regulated broker-dealer in numerous successful litigations and appeals related to employee claims for deferred compensation, equity-based compensation, and other employee-related matters
Representing the Trustee for the SIPA liquidation of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-regulated broker-dealer in the successful bench trial and related appeals of bonus compensation claims
Assisting a European manufacturing company in connection with enterprise risk-management related to substantial verdicts against U.S. subsidiaries, including ring-fencing analysis and creation of plan of corporate reorganization
Representing independent members of the board of financial company in connection with internal investigation of matters related to diversity and inclusion
Representing a special committee of the board of insurance company in connection with internal investigation of matters related to internal corporate governance
Representing the debtors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy of CST Industries Holdings Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in litigation of an equitable subordination and lender liability action
Representing a large financial institution in defense of raiding, tortious interference, and related claims in FINRA arbitration
Representing a defendant in a state court action involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duties
Representing the City of New York in litigation in federal court
Preparing amicus materials for the Second Circuit in a case involving questions of immigration and Constitutional law
