Biography

A native of Australia, Karen is a self-described "multicultural aficionado" who closely follows the entertainment industry's emerging markets around the globe and the business, financial and technical innovations that are shaping its future. Before embarking on a legal career, she had a brief career as an actress in Australia, including a major role in the Peter Weir cult favorite "Picnic at Hanging Rock." She also worked as a producer and in direct distribution of feature films and documentaries. Karen's insider perspective and entrepreneurial outlook enhance her ability to negotiate cutting-edge joint venture, production and distribution agreements, film financings and acquisitions.

A seasoned professional, Karen has represented domestic and foreign motion picture and television financiers, banks, equity investors, hedge funds, studios, broadcast and cable TV networks, and production and distribution companies for many years. She also advises individual content creators, including writers, directors and producers, particularly women creators. A Savvy Hollywood Dealmaker

Clients rely on Karen to effectively negotiate and close financial arrangements and distribution deals. She helps lenders and producers structure film financings, including senior and mezzanine debt and equity, as well as crowdfunding transactions.

Karen is sought after by well-known film and television production companies, including those involved in visual effects, animation and reality television. She helps them take advantage of audience expansion opportunities in alternative channels, including Internet and digital media platforms. Karen advises on intellectual property transactions, including new ways to optimize and monetize audio-visual content through licensing and merchandising arrangements and collaborations with video game and publishing ventures, especially in the family/children's arena.

Karen also counsels charitable entities on their film and art projects, helps international co-production entities identify and obtain U.S. and international tax incentives, and negotiates studio ancillary deals for startup distributors. Entertainment Companies in Bankruptcy Court

Among other matters, Karen has represented numerous entertainment companies in bankruptcy situations in collaboration with Pryor Cashman's Bankruptcy Group, including several creditors in the Relativity Media bankruptcy, sales of distressed film libraries and Lions Gate Films Inc. in a highly competitive bankruptcy auction of assets related to the "Terminator" series of films and television programs. Education

University of Sydney (LL.B., 1981) University of Sydney (B.A., 1979) First Class Honors Australia

Recognition

Named a leading attorney in Entertainment: Motion Pictures + Television by Best Lawyers in America (2015-22) Named a leading attorney in Entertainment Law by Southern California's Best Lawyers (2022) Named in the Super Lawyers - Southern California list in entertainment and sports law (2013-18) Named among the top 30 media attorneys in the U.S. by Best of the Best USA (2017) Shortlisted in the "Best in Media & Entertainment" category of Euromoney's LMG Americas Women in Business Law Awards (2012)

Admissions

California, 2003 New South Wales, Australia, 1981

Professional Affiliations

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Professional Activities

Australians in Film British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) Geena Da
- IMDb mini biography by: Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn Official Site Bio

Mother of Tara Violet Niami.