Kari Parks is a trial, appellate, and mediation lawyer who specializes in white collar criminal defense, securities and investment, business divorce, shareholder rights, and fraud cases. Representing entrepreneurs, brokers, bankers, investors, and their companies, Kari has handled eight- and nine-figure jury trials, arbitrations, mediations, and appeals in federal and Commercial Division courts and before FINRA, JAMS, and the AAA.

Kari leverages her formidable reputation, excellent briefs and pleadings, and focused discovery to obtain wins as efficiently as possible through settlement or motion practice. When her clients’ adversaries simply can’t be reasoned with, Kari thrives in the courtroom, equally effective with both judges and juries.

Kari’s latest criminal successes include securing a nine-month sentence for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy conviction after jury trial, despite the Prosecution’s argument for 30 months and initial Guidelines calculation of 57-71 months, and a 366-day sentence after plea deal where her client originally faced 65 years in prison and Probation recommended three years. She frequently obtains key interlocutory rulings that change the landscape of trial, plea deals, and sentences, including for bills of particulars, motions in limine, and overseas witness depositions, and has won significantly reduced financial penalties for white collar clients targeted by the DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and SEC.

Kari’s most recent civil wins include complete, pre-discovery dismissal of a $61 million contract and fiduciary duty case against a limited partnership’s founding general partner; 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; complete dismissal of a registered representative’s attempt to avoid FINRA industry arbitration; obtaining an order of attachment in aid of arbitration brought by a placement agent against an issuer facing insolvency; and favorably settling cases in which her clients sued to enforce founding equity stakes, for employment discrimination and retaliation, and for affinity and securities fraud.

Kari also regularly attacks governmental and regulatory overreach in actions against the United States Attorney’s Office, Securities and Exchange Commission, and FINRA, and represents witnesses, subjects, and targets in criminal and regulatory investigations.

Kari earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego and her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, where ran the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, interned with the Center for Criminal Defense, competed on the Jessup International Moot Court and Vis International Arbitration teams, served on the Miner Moot Court Board, and was a Senior Editor of the Journal of International Law and Business.

Before joining GKN, 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, and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Super Lawyers Magazine has named Kari a “Rising Star” in NYC White Collar Criminal Defense, Securities Litigation, and General Litigation every year since 2021.

Contact

(212) 269-1400

kparks@gusraekaplan.com

Education

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2013

B.A., University of California San Diego, 2007

admissions

New York

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

U.S. District Court, SDNY

U.S. District Court, EDNY

U.S. District Court, N.D. Illinois

U.S. District Court, D. Colorado

professional associations

Federal Bar Council (Inn of Court)

Asian American Bar Association of New York

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association