Karena advises clients across the full life cycle of real estate assets, providing commercial clarity and practical insight.
Biography
Karena advises on residential, mixed-use, industrial and build-to-rent projects, with a particular focus on off-the-plan developments. She prepares and negotiates master contracts of sale, builds owners corporation frameworks and steers sales programs through to settlement. She also leads acquisitions and disposals — managing negotiations, overseeing due diligence and executing settlements on significant transactions.
She acts for landlords and developers on commercial and retail leasing, structuring and negotiating complex agreements for lease and tailored tenancy arrangements. Karena also advises on estate agency matters and specialist disability accommodation projects, including collaboration agreements and regulatory requirements.
Karena works with institutional investors, developers and private clients across complex, high-value mandates. She cuts through competing priorities to keep transactions on track — bringing the commercial judgment and clear thinking that clients rely on when the stakes are high.
Earlier in her career, Karena served on the Outlook Young Professionals Committee of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Victoria) and as events subcommittee member, then chair, of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (Victoria).
Karena's experience
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Burwood One Investment
Acted on the $210m sale of the Burwood One shopping centre to Charter Hall, including preparing the contract of sale and vendor’s statement and managing the settlement process. -
IDA Group
Advised on the $148m acquisition of three development sites in Stonehaven. Prepared the due diligence report and negotiated complex contracts of sale. -
Dexus
Advised on the proposed $450m acquisition of the Woodgrove shopping centre in Melton West, VIC, including preparation of due diligence reports and negotiating the contract of sale. -
Hexa Group
Advised on the $220m mixed-use development Panorama in Box Hill, from site acquisition through to commercial and retail leasing, for 396 residential units, 21 office suites and 6 retail premises. -
Landream Group
Acted on the $180m sale of 600 Collins Street, Melbourne to Hines, a global developer. The site had approval for a 50-storey apartment development and Australia’s first Mandarin Oriental hotel tower. -
Donnybrook JV
Acted on the $240m sale and subdivision of 960 & 1030 Donnybrook Road. Reviewed and negotiated s173 agreements and advised on plan registration and settlement arrangements.
Awards, recognition and rankings
- Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2025 – Finalist, Property Lawyer of the Year
- Law Council of Australia Victorian Young Property Lawyer of the Year Award 2024 – Winner
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards 2021 – Finalist, Real Estate
- Australasian Lawyer’s Rising Stars 2021 – Recognised