Karlene is an experienced litigator specialising in financial crime, regulatory enforcement, and complex civil and criminal proceedings. She acts for government agencies, regulators, and public sector organisations in high-stakes litigation, investigations, and inquiries, and has appeared as counsel in the District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Coroners Court.
Karlene began her career in commercial litigation before joining the Auckland Crown Solicitor's office, where she developed extensive expertise in civil proceedings under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and regularly appeared for the Crown in criminal jury trials and appellate matters. She has acted for the Crown, Commissioner of Police, Department of Corrections, New Zealand Customs Service, Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, and a range of other government agencies.
Her practice now focuses on financial crime, proceeds of crime litigation, regulatory enforcement, coronial proceedings, and complex public law disputes. She continues to undertake Crown jury prosecutions; regularly advises and appears for the Commissioner of Police in asset restraint and forfeiture proceedings; and acts for agencies including the Department of Internal Affairs, WorkSafe, and the Department of Corrections.
Karlene has been involved in some of New Zealand's most significant proceeds of crime cases, including matters involving multi-million-dollar asset restraint and forfeiture orders arising from organised crime, international drug trafficking, and large-scale law enforcement operations.
Beyond her litigation practice, Karlene is President of the Auckland Women Lawyers' Association and serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Zealand Women's Law Journal — Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a ngā Wāhine.
Recent and notable work:
Advising and appearing as counsel for the Commissioner of Police at the Court of Appeal successfully defending an appeal against the Commissioner opposing restraining orders and seeking an undertaking as to damages (William v Commissioner of Police)
Advising as counsel for the Commissioner of Police at the Court of appeal successfully defending an appeal against a $2.96 million profit forfeiture order (McMillan v Commissioner of Police)
Advising and appearing as counsel for the Commissioner of Police in proceedings involving the restraint of assets in excess of $7 million following the intercepted importation of 613 kilograms of methamphetamine into New Zealand (Commissioner of Police v Hannett & Anor).
Advising and appearing as counsel for the Commissioner of Police in proceedings involving the restraint of assets in excess of $4 million following the termination of Operation Trojan Shield led by the FBI and co-ordinated with the Drug Enforcement Administration, AFP, Europol and other law enforcement agencies from more than a dozen countries (Commissioner of Police v Ngakuru & Ors).
Advising and appearing as counsel for the Commissioner of Police developing the legal test for granting of disclosure of source orders (Commissioner of Police v Shakib)