Karen Wankelman is a partner in the Orlando office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and serves on the firm’s Associate Committee.
In her more than two decades of experience, Karen has successfully led client transactions in a wide range of industries including multi-family, hotels and offices, retail, marinas, personal storage and mobile home parks. She represents developers in areas of acquisition, permitting, development and financing of vacant, rehabilitation and operating properties. Her developer representation has included traditional bank loans, CMBS-style loans and full-recourse and non-recourse debt. Karen has also represented both institutional and private lenders in real estate secured loans and workouts. Additionally, Karen is frequently called upon to provide legal opinions for Florida transactions and serves as local counsel in connection with a variety of acquisitions and securitizations of Florida real property.
After spending many years in Sarasota, Karen became an Orlando resident following her graduation from law school. She currently resides in Baldwin Park with her husband and family.
Credentials
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1997
- University of Miami, B.B.A., 1992
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Professional and Civic
- Orange County Bar Association
- Former Vice Chairman - Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee for The Florida Bar
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Former Ambassador – Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center
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Member – First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
