News
Turning Crisis into Strategy: Contracts, projects and disputes at a global chokepoint
Karen Hughes
Senior Counsel Corporate & Finance
Languages
English
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Chambers UK, 2020‘Clients characterise her as "knowledgeable and practical" and praise her "solution-oriented" approach.’
With a passion for problem solving, Karen combines both knowledge and energy in tackling complex tax issues for her clients. Seen by her clients as the 'go to' person for corporate tax advice in M&A, business restructurings and international tax planning, she enjoys a challenge and rises to it. In an area renowned for its complexity and constant change, she cuts through all that. She understands how precious time is in the modern world. Nobody wants to wade through dense tax advice - it is about getting to the solution! The result is tax clients who value her clear and incisive approach and business clients who applaud her 'non-techie' talk.
She has most definitely earned her reputation as 'the acceptable face of tax'. It is then no surprise that her talents have been recognized, leading the teams which won the International Tax Review prestigious awards of 'European M&A Tax Deal of the Year 2014' and 'European Joint Venture Tax Deal of the Year 2015'.
Chambers describes her as 'switched-on' and 'a star in her own right' who 'works tirelessly to deliver what is needed'. Legal 500 says that she combines 'excellent technical capabilities' with a 'broad knowledge of business' to give 'insightful advice'.
Karen is a member of Hogan Lovells' Board and plays a key role in supporting our global Transfer Pricing practice.
Chambers UK, 2020‘Clients characterise her as "knowledgeable and practical" and praise her "solution-oriented" approach.’
Representative experience
Asurion, LLC, a large appliances insurer headquartered in Tennessee, on its acquisition of Domestic & General Group.
Oxford Ionics Limited, a UK-based leader in high-fidelity quantum computing on its acquisition by IonQ, Inc.
Brookfield Infrastructure on its disposal of 49% of PD Ports to Pontegadea.
Chevron on its exit from the Republic of Congo via the sale of Chevron Overseas (Congo) Limited holdings interests in the Nkossa, Nsoko II, Moho-Bilondo and Lianzi fields to Trident Energy.
Christian Salvesen on its £254m recommended takeover by Groupe Nobert Dentressangle.
Kodak Pension Plan on the US$650m acquisition of the Rockford and Walden businesses from the Kodak Group.
Liberty Global on the disposal of its international content division, Chellomedia, to AMC Networks Inc. for $1bn.
Advised HC2 Holdings, Inc. on the US$250m sale of Global Marine Group, an offshore engineering services provider of which HC2 indirectly owned approx. 73%, to J.F. Lehman & Co.
Straumur-Burdaras Investment Bank on the €2.3bn restructuring of creditor claims pursuant to an Icelandic court-approved composition agreement.
SABMiller on the A$11.5bn acquisition of Fosters and its US$1.9bn strategic alliance with Anadolou Efes.
Straumur-Burdaras Investment Bank on the €2.3bn restructuring of creditor claims pursuant to an Icelandic court-approved composition agreement.
CH2M Hill on its £123m recommended acquisition of Halcrow Holdings Ltd.
Rift Acquisitions Ltd on the £1.2bn acquisition of three UK water businesses from Veolia Environment.
Credentials
Education
- LL.B., University of Manchester
- M.Phil., University of Manchester
Recognition
Publications
Insights and Analysis
08 June 2021
News
Press releases
19 September 2025
Press releases
08 August 2025
Press releases
04 July 2025