Karen Van Den Heuvel Fischer is a Colorado business and corporate law attorney licensed to practice law in both Colorado and Florida. For more than 25 years, she has enjoyed working with clients in the corporate, government and private sectors to help people live fuller, richer lives. Her practice has focused on business, succession planning, intellectual property, employment, real estate, and education law. As a Registered Dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition and published author with 15 years of experience as a Certified Civil Mediator, her skills in persuasion, research, and writing have made her a successful advocate for people in all walks of life. She is always fully invested in the outcomes of the clients with whom she works.
Karen began her legal career by graduating Summa Cum Laude (and first in her class) with her Doctor of Law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. She was highly awarded during her education program, earning a place in the Who’s Who Among American Law Students (7th, 8th editions) and four American Jurisprudence Book Awards.
In her roles as General Counsel to an international corporation, Senior Counsel to a multi-state quasi-governmental organization and later, as a corporate attorney, Karen helped her clients grow and succeed in business through helping them manage their intellectual property rights, succession plans, employment issues, contracts, and real estate ventures. Karen is a former school board attorney for one of the largest school districts in the country with 137 schools and 150,000 students of diverse backgrounds. Additionally, Karen has provided legal advice and representation to a number of school boards of private and charter schools over the years.
Karen has published both the non-fiction memoir, “A Beacon for Life,” and the fictional first installment of the J.C. Classified Series entitled, “Hidden Bloodlines.” She has written over 150 scholarly articles and blog posts. As a writer and speaker, Karen has particular insight into the business and succession planning concerns for those in the writing and publishing industry.
Her areas of practice with the law firm of Karen VDH Fischer LLC include Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Business Law, Real Estate, and Employment Law. Her primary goal is to provide peace of mind to her clients.
Admissions
- State of Colorado
- State of Florida
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Education
- Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
- Master of Science, Human Nutrition, Penn State University (honors)
- Bachelor of Science, Food and Nutrition, Florida State University (honors)
Publications / Presentations
- Lecturer, Writers Beware the Legal Pitfalls, Local Author Showcase, Loveland Public Library (2018).
- Lecturer, Healthy Habits for Writers, RWA National Conference (2017).
- Presenter, Workshops: Writers Beware the Legal Pitfalls; SEO for the Technically Challenged; and The Writer’s Balancing Act: Minor Changes for Major Improvements, Colorado Christian Writers Conference (2016).
- Presenter, Workshops: Writers Beware the Legal Pitfalls; SEO for the Technically Challenged; and The Writer’s Balancing Act: Minor Changes for Major Improvements, Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference (2016).
- Author, Survive, Overcome, Succeed: Wise Solutions for an Ailing Workforce (publication to be announced).
- Author, What is Prop 215? How does Prop 215 relate to Florida?, Office of the Florida Attorney General (2014).
- Author, Palm Beach County Marijuana Laws, Office of the Florida Attorney General (2014).
- Author, What is Marijuana?, Office of the Florida Attorney General (2014).
- Author, Nonsmokers’ Rights — An Analysis of Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act, 63, Fla. Bar J. (1989).
- Author, Note, The Preservation of Florida’s Public Trust Doctrine, 11 Nova L. Rev. 227 (1986).
- Author, Teaching Strategies in Preschool Nutrition Education, Master’s Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University (1982).