Kari is a trial lawyer who specializes in securities disputes and white collar criminal defense. Representing entrepreneurs, investors, and their companies, Kari has handled jury trials, arbitrations, and mediations in federal and Commercial Division courts and before FINRA, JAMS, and the AAA, particularly focusing on technical securities, business divorce, shareholder rights, and fraud cases. Besides her complex civil work, Kari regularly attacks governmental and regulatory overreach in actions against the United States Attorney’s Office, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and represents witnesses, subjects, and targets in white collar investigations.
Kari’s most recent civil wins include complete dismissal of a hedge fund’s shareholder claims purportedly arising out of an issuer’s delayed spin-off of a subsidiary into a separate Nasdaq-listed company (SDNY); complete dismissal of a registered representative’s attempt to avoid FINRA industry arbitration (D. Col.); and obtaining an order of attachment in aid of arbitration brought by a placement agent against an issuer facing insolvency (Manhattan Commercial Division). Kari’s latest criminal successes include securing a nine-month sentence for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy conviction after jury trial, despite Prosecution’s argument for 30 months and initial Guidelines calculation of 57-71 months (SDNY), as well as a 366-day sentence after plea deal where her client originally faced 65 years in prison and Probation recommended three years (SDNY).
Kari earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego and her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, where she interned with the Center for Criminal Defense, competed on the Jessup International Moot Court and Vis International Arbitration teams, was a Senior Editor of the Journal of International Law and Business, and served on the Miner Moot Court Board and as Co-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association. Prior to joining the Firm, Kari practiced at litigation boutiques and Linklaters, where she received the firm’s Community Investment Award. She currently serves with California YMCA Youth & Government and St. Bart’s Church and is a member of the Federal Bar Council Inn of Court, Asian American Bar Association of New York, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
From 2021 through 2024, Super Lawyers Magazine has named Kari a “Rising Star” in White Collar Criminal Defense, Securities Litigation, and General Litigation.