With a wealth of legal expertise spanning over two decades, Karen Schuller Boardman is a co-founder of Alignment Legal, based in the vibrant city of Charlotte. Karen's unwavering commitment lies in safeguarding her clients' professional and personal assets to the fullest extent possible. Passionate about her work, Karen provides strategic guidance to emerging and established business and creative clients nationwide, specializing in intellectual property protection through trademarks and copyrights, with a registration success rate exceeding 90%.
Karen also advises businesses on critical matters such as entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation, and various operational aspects. She extends her expertise to nonprofits, helping them with organizational and tax-exempt status applications, along with addressing intellectual property and procedural needs. Beyond the professional business realm, Karen assists clients with estate planning, ensuring the preservation of their property and resources for themselves and their loved ones.
Karen is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Tennessee, along with her federal practice in trademarks and copyrights.
RECOGNITIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Karen's exceptional dedication and proficiency have earned her recognition in the legal community. In 2023, Business North Carolina honored her with the prestigious Legal Elite award in Intellectual Property. Karen serves as a Founding Board Member and the current Board Chairperson for the Mel Miller Foundation, further exemplifying her commitment to community and giving back. She sits on the Board for the CHM Collective and is a member of the Grab Life by the Goals Squad. Karen is a proud member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Karen's academic journey began at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a bachelor's degree with dual majors in History and Political Science. Her concentration in Women's Studies strengthened her ongoing commitment to social progress. While working full-time as an intellectual property paralegal, Karen pursued her law degree in the evening program at North Carolina Central University School of Law. During her time in law school, she showcased her exceptional skills as a member of the Law Review and received recognition on the Dean's List, along with the prestigious Dean's Leadership Award.
Before and during law school, Karen also spent several years advocating for vulnerable communities, volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem for children experiencing abuse and neglect, and as a legal intern in the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic at NCCU Law.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Originally from New Jersey, Karen attended Providence Senior High School in Charlotte. After spending over two decades in the Southern Part of Heaven (Chapel Hill), Durham, and Apex, North Carolina, Karen returned to the Queen City in 2018.
Karen and her husband Adam live in South Charlotte with their dog, Abigail.
Karen’s passion for safeguarding your interests and her savvy legal acumen make her an exceptional advocate for your business and estate planning needs.