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Karen Blake*

Conflicts Attorney

Karen Blake practices exclusively as a member of the internal Conflict Review Division of Baker Donelson's Office of General Counsel.

Professional Biography


Ms. Blake is responsible for the evaluation of potential ethical conflicts in new matters and advises Firm attorneys regarding these conflicts.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Blake advised municipal courts across Tennessee for the Municipal Technical Advisory Service of the University of Tennessee. She has represented, advised and trained municipalities, boards, commissions, counties and other public officials in Tennessee and Georgia, both in-house and as outside counsel. Formerly the first in-house city attorney of Franklin, she handled matters from animals issues to zoning. She developed special areas of concentration in telecommunications contract negotiation and code development and enforcement.

  • Provided pro bono assistance to Ukrainian nationals in the United States by preparing applications for Temporary Protected Status and Employment Authorization Documents.

  • Chair – Baker Donelson's Ft. Lauderdale Office Pro Bono Committee
  • Past Chair – Baker Donelson's Ft. Lauderdale Office BakerFit (Wellness Committee)
  • Past Chair – Baker Donelson's Nashville Office Charitable Contributions Committee
  • Fellow and Code Enforcement Chair – International Municipal Lawyers Association
  • Board Member – Tennessee Municipal Attorney's Association
  • Williamson County Bar Association (Past President)
  • Recipient – Baker Donelson Office Pro Bono Award, 2023, 2024
  • Recipient – Baker Donelson BakerFit Award, 2021
  • Inns of Court, John Marshall Chapter, 2008
  • Vice Chair – Planning and Zoning Board, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
  • Past Fellow of the Nashville Bar Foundation (2020)
  • Past Chair – Nashville Bar Association's Health and Wellness Committee
  • Board of Directors – Arthritis Foundation of Middle Tennessee (Past Chair, Bone Bash; Adult Honoree)
  • Past Member – Sister Cities of Nashville-Kamakura Sister City (Liaison /Volunteer, Cherry Blossom Festival)
  • Leadership Cobb County, Georgia
  • Leadership Franklin, Tennessee
  • Author/Presenter – "The Safari Experience: Ethics and Practice Tips for Survival in the Wild," International Municipal Lawyers Association's 2023 Annual Conference, LaQuinta, California (October 2023)
  • Author/Presenter – "Burnout: You Are Not Alone (Lawyer Wellness)," International Municipal Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2021)

Education

  • Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., 1996, cum laude
  • University of Delaware, B.A. in International Relations and Communication, 1988

Admissions

  • Tennessee, 2003
  • Georgia, 2003
  • California, 1996

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Disclaimer

*

Baker Donelson professional admitted to the practice of law in Tennessee, Georgia, and California, but not in Florida.

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