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, 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. She also represents the Trustee in the Securities Investor Protection Act liquidation of the business of Lehman Brothers Inc., one of the largest bankruptcies in United States history.
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 • Member, Federal Bar Council • Honorific Designation as Empire State Counsel by the New York State Bar Association (2015)
Court Admissions
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York
Northern District of New York
Secord 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 Security 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 Security 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 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
