Karen Boadu
Image of Karen Boadu

Karen Boadu

Senior Associate

Karen advises fund managers on the establishment of funds across a range of asset classes, including real estate, private equity, private credit, infrastructure as well as funds of funds and joint ventures.
She is also part of our tier 1 institutional investor practice advising sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, development finance institutions, insurance companies, family offices and other institutional investors on fund investments, co-investments, funds of one and managed accounts across all asset classes.

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on its USD 100m fund investment into a technology fund.
  • A development finance institution on its investment into a pan-African private equity fund. 
  • A Namibian sovereign wealth fund on the establishment of a hydrogen-focused fund.
  • A Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on its USD 50m investment into a healthcare fund.
  • A leading European real estate fund manager on the establishment of its EUR 1bn fund (previous firm experience).
  • A large US logistics fund manager on the wind-up of one of its joint ventures valued at EUR 1.2bn (previous firm experience).
  • A large Canadian pension fund on its EUR 250m investment into a European debt fund (previous firm experience).
  • A leading South African private equity company on the establishment of a fund of funds structure for investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, debt finance and strategically complementary strategies (previous firm experience). 

Pro bono

  • Named on the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales in 2024 for her commitment to pro bono service and work to ensure access to justice.
  • Assisted Amicus (human rights charity) with the Racial Justice Project, which involved analysing trial transcripts to identify instances of racial injustice in the US.
  • Providing careers advice as part of the 'Inspiring Minds, Inspiring Careers' programme at St Marks C of E Primary School in South Norwood, including presentations at a school assembly and careers fair.

Speaking Engagements

  • Guest Speaker, “Sovereign Immunities Workshop: Key Takeaways for Sovereign Investors”, Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (Kigali), July 2023
  • Guest Speaker, "Investing in Alternative Funds: Pension Fund Administrators in Focus", Capital Horizons Conference (Lagos), February 2025     

Awards

  • Named as a Rising Star on Law.com’s List of the UK Industry’s Best Up-And-Coming Women in 2025

Qualifications

Admissions

Solicitor, England and Wales, 2017

Academic

LLB, Law with French Law, UCL, 2014

Legal Practice Course, University of Law (London), 2015

Languages

English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.