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Karen Buzard

Partner

Karen is U.S. Head of the Markets Innovation Group (MIG), a group of lawyers and developers who are focused on the creation of innovative solutions for clients to meet large-scale legal and regulatory challenges. She specializes in delivering AI, technology and resourcing solutions to our U.S. based clients. 

She also advises clients on a broad range of transactional law issues, specializing in banking and finance. Her expertise includes extensive knowledge and use of various types of legal technologies, including artificial intelligence, document automation and deal management platforms. Her legal background covers the full spectrum of secured and unsecured corporate debt finance as well as other transaction matters. 

Karen is part of the team that developed our proprietary client-facing solution using AI technology, ContractMatrix (an end-to-end system which has been deployed clients to facilitate AI-powered contract review, document automation the creation of operating models to manage legal operations and risk). She also leads our finance team in connection with advising global financial institutions in their transition away from the use of IBORs and the development of our IBORMatrix tool (a workflow and outreach tool utilized on IBOR projects).

Karen is part of a cross practice group of lawyers that advises on the safe deployment of AI in businesses. She is also part of the team that developed our proprietary client-facing solution using GPT AI technology, ContractMatrix (an end-to-end system which has been deployed clients to facilitate AI-powered contract review, document automation the creation of operating models to manage legal operations and risk). This involved the first ever collaboration to develop a software product between a law firm and Microsoft. This team also lead the deployment of generative AI via Harvey to a law firm. Her expertise includes extensive knowledge and use of various types of legal technologies, including artificial intelligence, document automation and deal management platforms.

Her legal background covers the full spectrum of secured and unsecured corporate debt finance as well as other transaction matters. Karen is admitted to practice in New York and received a BS from Fordham University and her JD from Fordham University School of Law.

Experience

Representative matters

Karen has helped develop the following proprietary A&O tools:

IBOR Matrix- a system designed to facilitate the transition away from LIBOR and other interest rates, involving a cutting edge approach to the use of artificial intelligence;

Contract matrix – a system that assists with AI powered contract review, document automation and legal operations and risk management.

 

Pro bono

Advising small businesses on corporate matters at Goldman Sachs Virtual Legal Clinic.

Published Work

  • Co-author, "Recurring Revenue Financings: Market Update," The Legal 500: Acquisition Finance Comparative Guide, 2024
  • Co-author, “Structuring and Restructuring European Leveraged Finance Transactions," Thomson Reuters Practical Law, 2021

Speaking Engagements

  • ABA Working Group on AI - AI Governance and Risk Management - The Role of Lawyers - April 2024 FIA Expo - AI Application in Financial Markets Panel - October 2023
  • Generative AI and the Law - Global Counsel Leaders, June 2023 
  • Panel Speaker on Technology, Loan Syndication and Trade Association Operational Conferences, April 2019
  • Technology Vendor Presenter, Loan Syndication and Trade Association LIBOR Remediation Series, October 2021

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2024

Admitted: Bar of the State of New York, 2003

Academic

J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2002

B.S., Fordham University, 1998

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.