Karen L. Liepmann

Partner

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602.212.8532
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PHOENIX, AZ
1850 North Central Avenue, Suite 2100
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Recognitions Articles/Presentations overview

Karen Liepmann is a partner in the Phoenix office of Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. Ms. Liepmann is a general business attorney. Her practice emphasizes representation of public, private, profit, non-profit, and tribal entities of all sizes in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts; borrowing, lending, and venture capital transactions; international and domestic distribution, licensing, and franchise arrangements; employee matters; advising boards of directors; trademark, trade secret, and other intellectual property issues; securities and stock offerings; antitrust issues; healthcare and general contract drafting and negotiation. Ms. Liepmann frequently acts as outside general counsel for clients.

Representative Experience

Representing an education software company in connection with its sale to a private equity fund
Representing a private pharmaceutical company in connection with raising over $30 million in start-up and mezzanine financing through a series of United States and overseas debt and equity offerings
Negotiating joint development and technology licensing arrangements with Fortune 100 entities on behalf of a pharmaceutical start-up company
Managing trademark portfolios and developing brand strategy for entities, including franchisors, software, Internet, and pharmaceutical companies, and a bank
Representing a public company in negotiating a $125 million credit facility
Representing a public company in connection with the acquisition of a number of automotive dealerships for over $100 million
Drafting and negotiating patent and trademark licenses, distribution agreements, joint development agreements, and other agreements for technology transfer and commercialization
Advising clients and negotiating and restructuring technology outsourcing transactions
Assisting an Arizona tribal corporation and Indian tribe with obtaining the financing necessary for the tribe to acquire ownership of its local telephone company
Updating franchise offering documents and agreements for national franchisors and assisting with obtaining state franchise registrations and exemptions
Representing a public insurance adjusting franchisor with respect to a corporate takeover and subsequent privatization
Representing an Arizona Indian tribe regarding the contracts to build a glass Skywalk over the Grand Canyon
Representing a charter school district regarding Constitutional and corporate matters

Education

Arizona State University, LL.M., Biotechnology and Genomics, May 2008
Willard H. Pedrick Scholar

Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1987
Environmental Affairs Law Review, Executive Editor

Wesleyan University, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, 1983

Wesleyan University, B.A., 1983
National Merit Scholar

Community Involvement

Phoenix Symphony
- Finance and Education Committees 1995-2002
- Board of Directors 1995-2002
Fresh Start Women's Foundation 1995-2000
- Board of Directors
Phoenix Leadership 2000 and Beyond, participant

Bar Admissions

Arizona, 1987
Washington, D.C., 1990 (inactive)
United States District Court for the District of Arizona, 1987

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Arizona
- Business Law Section Committee to Update the Corporate Laws, Co-Chair 2010-present
- Business Law Section Executive Committee, 2011-present
- Intellectual Property Section
- Securities Section
Invest Southwest (formerly Arizona Venture Capital Conference)
- Executive Committee 1999-present
- Chair 2005
Arizona BioIndustry Association
- Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Co-Chair 2006-2008

Presentations

“The Breadth of Opportunity: The Scope of Practice in Business Law,” Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, March 2012
"Recent Developments in the Law," Association of Corporate Counsel, December 2011
"Surprise! You're Operating a Ponzi Scheme! Or a Franchise, or a Multilevel Marketing Scheme, or a Business Opportunity," April 2010
State Bar of Arizona Required Course on Professionalism, February 2012, January 2011, October 2009, October 1996 and April 1996
"Strategic Legal Decisions for Entrepreneurs," FastTrac® GrowthVenture program, September, 2009
"What Every Lawyer Should Know About Franchising and Distribution Laws," Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP seminar, February 2009
“Fiduciary Duties of Officers and Directors,” Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship course, W.B. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, Spring 2004, 2005 and 2006
“Topics in Intellectual Property and Fiduciary Duties,” State Bar of Arizona, January 2005
“Protecting Your Thoughts: Intellectual Property Considerations in Mergers and Acquisitions in Arizona,” National Business Institute, May 2003
“Intellectual Property – Protecting Your Ideas,” Entrepreneurial University, sponsored by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, April 2003
“What Financial Executives Need to Know About Arizona and Delaware Corporate Law,” Financial Executives International, April 2003
“Officer, Director and Member Liability – What are Your Fiduciary Obligations,” The Changing Playing Field seminar, November 2002
“Considerations in Buying or Selling a Business in Arizona,” National Business Institute, August 1999
“The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1996,” State Bar of Arizona, Business Law Section, October 1997
“Antitrust Issues in Everyday Transactions,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Division, January 1996
“The New Arizona Business Corporation Act – Issues for Accountants,” Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, November 1995
“Sidekicks or Saddlebags, Business Partnering for Success,” The Women Entrepreneurs Conference, August 1994 and Arizona Governor’s Conference for Women, March 1994
“Model Guidelines for Outside Counsel; Conflicts of Interest,” Maricopa County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Division, September 1993