Karen C. McConnell

Karen C. McConnell is the Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr's Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity Group. She is known for her work in the areas of corporate law and securities law, with emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and private equity investment transactions.

Ms. McConnell has extensive experience in the mergers and acquisitions area and, over the last decade, has represented buyers and sellers in more than 300 asset- and stock-based transactions. She also represents issuers in public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, including venture capital and private equity firms, and provides a variety of corporate and securities services for Arizona-based public and private companies.

Ms. McConnell is a member of Ballard Spahr's Elected Board.

Pro Bono Experience

Ms. McConnell and her colleagues in Ballard's Phoenix office work with students from The Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law at Arizona State University to provide legal services to the homeless at CASS, the Central Arizona Social Services organization.

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
Member, Business Law Section, Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities; Member, Subcommittees on 1933 Act Registration and 1934 Act Reporting Companies

State Bar of Arizona
Member, Securities Section and Business Law Section

Recognition & Accomplishments

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, corporate/M&A law, highest ranking (band one), 2003-2012

The Best Lawyers in America, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions law, securities regulation, and securities/capital markets law, 2003-2013

Named Best Lawyers' 2012 Phoenix Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year

Business Journal of Phoenix, frequent recipient, "Best of the Bar" designation, securities/M&A law

Phoenix Magazine, frequent recipient, "Best Lawyers in Arizona" designation, corporate, M&A, and securities law

Lawdragon, listed among "500 Leading Dealmakers in America"

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Author and speaker, "Trends in Mergers and Acquisitions," Corporate Counsel Roundtable, 2010

Author and speaker, "Conducting Internal Investigations," Corporate Counsel Roundtable, 2010

Author and speaker, "SEC Updates," Association of Corporate Counsel, Arizona Chapter, 2008

Moderator, "Let’s Make a Deal: The Current State of Mergers and Acquisition Practice," seminar, State Bar of Arizona, 2008

Moderator, "Executive Compensation for Non-Corporate Entities," 2008

Author and speaker, "Delaware Law Updates," Association of Corporate Counsel, Arizona Chapter, 2007

Author and speaker, "Stock-Based Compensation," seminar, State Bar of Arizona, 2007

Author and speaker, "Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on Nonprofit Organizations," Arts and Business Council, 2007

Panel moderator, "Advance Planning for Acquisition or an IPO," 2005

Author, "Sarbanes-Oxley and the Privately Held Company," Maricopa County Bar Association, 2005

Speaker and panelist, "The Duty of Due Care," Thunderbird Ethics Day, Thunderbird School of International Management, 2005

Community Activities

Arizona Science Center, Fundraising Committee

University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D. 1984, magna cum laude)
Note Editor, Notre Dame Law Review

Ohio University (B.B.A. 1981, summa cum laude)

Arizona