Karen Fellowes

Competent in commercial litigation, but communication could improve

I engaged Karen Fellowes of Stikeman Elliott to handle a breach of contract dispute for my small manufacturing company here in Phoenix. The core legal work was handled competently. Karen's background in Corporate and Commercial Litigation was evident in her grasp of the contractual nuances and her strategic approach to the initial filings. Her recognition in this specific field is well-founded regarding pure legal analysis. However, the experience felt somewhat transactional. While she was dedicated to the case's legal merits, proactive communication was inconsistent. There were periods of several days where updates were not forthcoming unless I initiated contact, which added to my stress as a business owner needing to make informed decisions. Wait times for returned calls or emails were sometimes longer than expected. The outcome of our matter was ultimately satisfactory from a legal standpoint, aligning with her expertise. Yet, for the premium associated with a firm of this caliber, I had expected a more consistently collaborative and communicative partnership. She is undoubtedly a knowledgeable attorney in commercial litigation, but managing client expectations and maintaining a steady flow of information are areas where the service felt merely adequate.