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Biography
Karen's practice concentrates on project and structured finance transactions. She has represented domestic and international banks and financial institutions, developers, investors and nationally recognized construction companies in connection with the financing, development, construction, operation and privatization of a wide range of capital-intensive projects in the pipeline, electric energy, mining, petrochemical and public infrastructure sectors. Karen has counseled clients in all phases of projects, including initial structuring and contract negotiation, financing and post-financing matters. She has extensive experience in structuring complex multi-tranche financing transactions, including commercial bank and institutional loan and security documentation, Rule 144A financings and intercreditor arrangements.

Representative Experience

  • Representation of the agent banks and the underwriters in connection with the syndicated bank and Rule 144A financing and re-financing of a 1900 mile Canadian-U.S. gas pipeline
  • Representation of the agent banks in connection with the financing of a Mexican off-shore gas platform
  • Representation of the agent banks in connection with the financing of a gas fractionation facility in Illinois
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the financing of a pipeline located in the northeastern United States
  • Representation of the agent bank and the underwriters in connection with the syndicated bank and Rule 144A financing of an electric power generation facility in the Philippines
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the financing of a Chilean copper mine
  • Representation of the underwriter in connection with the Rule 144A financing of the expansion of the Eldorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the financing of the privatization of a vertically-integrated electric utility in Colombia 
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the syndicated bank and municipal bond sale lease-back financing of a power plant in Pennsylvania
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the senior and subordinated acquisition financing of a cogeneration facility in New York
  • Representation of the agent bank in connection with the financing of two polypropylene manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania
  • Representation of the advisors in connection with the privatization of a Brazilian utility
  • Representation of the borrower in connection with the financing of a world-wide network of telecommunications facilities
  • Representation of the construction contractor in connection with the construction and financing of a power plant in Pakistan
Results depend upon the facts of each case.
Activities and Affiliations
  • Member: American Bar Association
  • Listed: Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Project Finance Lawyers, 2006
Education and Professional Background
  • Lafayette College, B.A. in government and law; B.A. in economics and business, 1984
  • Cornell Law School, J.D., 1987
  • Admitted to practice: New Jersey, 1987; New York, 1988; District of Columbia, 1989
Karen A. Smith
Partner
Co Section Head, Business and International
 666 Fifth Avenue
26th Floor
New York, NY 10103-0040

212.237.0010 : ph
917.849.5302 : fax
ksmith@velaw.com
Practices
Corporate Finance and Securities

Energy Transactions

Financial Institutions Litigation

Project Finance and Development

Structured Finance

Syndicated Finance
Industries
Energy

Financial Services
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