About Karen (KE) Powell

Senior leader adept in project management, regulatory law, education and governance. Subject matter expertise in US, Australia and global securities, insurance and taxation, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Former US tax judge, executive manager for a securities and insurance regulatory agency, educator, business owner and entrepreneur. Seasoned board member and community volunteer. Licensed to practice law in the US, with a practicing certificate in Victoria.

Karen is currently a Senior Lecturer at Deakin University School of Law in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to her academic appointment at Deakin, she was twice appointed by the Montana Governor to serve as Chairwoman of the Montana State Tax Appeal Board (2006–2015), presiding over more than 100 trials and issuing hundreds of opinions, including multi-billion dollar valuation cases and complex litigation.

Before joining Deakin Law School, Karen served as the inaugural Forge Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and taught tax and business law at Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. Karen has also served as Montana's Deputy Commissioner of Insurance and Securities/Deputy State Auditor and Deputy Securities Commissioner, and has owned and operated several businesses, including Blackstone Properties LLC and Triple Divide Spirits.

Karen is available for consultation, mediation, or legal research. For a full bio, please see below.

Academic Employment

Senior Lecturer, Deakin University School of Law, Melbourne, Australia. (Academic year 2017 to date.) Deakin University approximately 55,000 students; top 2% of Universities worldwide. Law school is within the Faculty of Business and Law; approximately 3,300 undergraduate law students, 2500 commerce students, and 150 postgraduate students. (Faculty of business and law.) Recruited to teach tax and develop experiential education programs including Deakin Law School’s new clinical law programs. Elected member of Business and Law Faculty Board 2017-2018. Research areas include innovation in closed regulatory environments, property law, tax law, and entrepreneurship. Unit Chair, Legal Internship (LLM) Trimester 3, 2017. Developed and taught Advanced Legal Professional Practice (MLJ721; capstone legal skills unit), Tax Law and Policy (MLJ723) Trimester 3, 2018. Director of Juris Doctorate Course: oversee all academic aspects of the course, including marketing, curriculum, major course review, teaching and learning, and staff management.

Associate Director of Teaching and Learning (CloudFirst Project, January 2018.) Coordinate start-up law school CloudFirst Project with faculty, law staff, and students. (Almost 60% of the LLB students are cloud-based students.). Coordinate redesign of the cloud-based student experience for LLB students, including curriculum and assessment review, focus on first year experience, update and changes for cloud based learning, starting with the first year units. Transitioned project to LLB course director.

Director of Teaching and Learning (Appointed by University April 2017- January 2018). As Director of Teaching for the School of Law, oversee all aspects of law school teaching and learning, including curriculum development, course planning (in conjunction with course directors), assignment of staff for teaching at all campuses, including Geelong, Warrnambool, Burwood, and Cloud campus. Organize general education for academics relating to curriculum design within units, including assessment, feedback and student experience. Manage appointment of casual support for academics. Liaise with faculty of business and law, as well as University faculty to coordinate faculty and University teaching and learning initiatives into the law school, member of business and law faculty curriculum committee. Coordinate CloudFirst Initiative development.

In 2017, about 40% of the academic staff were new appointments. In first four months, developed and implemented trainings for all law staff on best practices for feedback, assessment, Deakin policies and procedures, as well as specific training for academics new to Deakin Law School. Organized roundtable sessions, in coordination with the director of research, on key areas for law academics (internal teaching and research systems and requirements). Coordinate academics for supplementary exams, Australian Qualification Rating for academics, oversee curriculum planning in conjunction with course directors for courses and units, oversee any concerns relating to timetabling, credit for prior learning, unit chair responsibilities, and EVALUate. Institutional appointment to Faculty of Business and Law Curriculum Committee and Directors of Teaching and Learning Committee.

Upon arrival, coordinated development of 3 new law clinics, and overarching CLC registration of Deakin Law Clinic (now encompassing 5 clinics with full enrolment of approximately 300 students a year providing community pro bono services.) In conjunction with Australian registered clinical solicitors and barristers, coordinated registration for Deakin Law Clinic, coordinated coherent curriculum development and learning portfolio with assessments to match required learning outcomes, developed framework for clinical training in coordination with student learning. Coordinating connections between Deakin Law School long-standing internship program and clinical training, to begin coordinated experiential education expectations for Deakin Law Students.

Enrolled in Graduate Certificate Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Deakin University 2017. (Units completed: Contextualising Learning and Teaching in Higher Education; Designing, Teaching and Assessing Higher Education Programs, Scholarship of Learning and Teaching)

Scholarly Works

• Joint Authorship: Karen Powell and Monica Hope (Deakin University School of Law), Cross That Bridge When We Get to It? The Perils of Shifting Regulatory Definitions in Emerging Markets: A Comparative Analysis of Digital Currency Definitions in Australia and U.S. Tax Law, eJournal of Tax Research, 16(3):594 (2019).
• (Work in Progress) Intangibles in Property Tax: News of My Death is Greatly Exaggerated. Presented at Critical Tax Conference 2016 (Tulane) and Central States Law School Association 2015 Annual Scholarship Conference (October 2015), this article addressed the inherent conflict in between unit valuation methodology for property tax valuation of multi-jurisdictional properties and the requirement that property tax valuation must, by statute, both include and exempt certain intangible values of those multi-jurisdictional companies. I argue that while the California’s Supreme Court analysis of the conflict in Elk Hills begins to address the conflict, it falls short in providing sufficient guidance to the parties, and that state statutes generally lack sufficiently specific language to prevent litigation.
• Karen Powell (Deakin University School of Law) and Lauren Bartlett (Ohio Northern University Pettit School of Law.) Experiential Learning: Negotiations across Disciplines, The Journal of Experiential Learning, vol. 2: Iss. 2, article 4. This article discusses the creation of a civil practice and tax joint negotiation project, integrating skills and doctrinal teaching into a unique and highly well-received joint negotiation project with students from civil practice and state and local tax classes. Students from differing disciplines worked together in negotiating a settlement relating to an innocent spouse claim as either representing the taxpayer or taxing department. The article addresses pedagogy relating to the project, the vision behind the project, the specifics of the project, assignments and feedback, as well as suggestions for using a similar project across various disciplines.
• How Taxis, Peanuts and Assault Rifles get you a Martini for Dinner: Examining Peanut Quotas and Taxi Medallions in consideration of Whether a Fifth Amendment Takings Claim is a Red Herring when Eliminating Alcohol License Quota Systems, 13 DePaul Bus. & Comm. L.J. 433 (Spring 2015): This article addresses alcohol licenses under a quota system and whether such licenses are non-compensable regulatory licenses or a compensable property right in an entrenched legacy market. The article argues that no takings claim exists if the state government were to open the market to new participants.
• Montana Property Tax Historical Perspective: 25 Years of Statewide Appraisal Practice, 70 Montana L. Rev. 21. This article provides a historical perspective of Montana property tax, and argues that the property tax cycle should be shortened to provide more consistency in valuation models.
• Raise a Glass to Constitutional History, 40-NOV Mont. Law 9, Montana Lawyer, November 2014, Vol. 40, No. 2.
• Montana Tax Practice Insights, Lexis Nexis, 30 topics on Montana tax law. Includes procedure, property tax, reappraisal, TIF, energy issues, and others.
• What Montana Lawyers Need to Know about FINRA, 330-JAN Mont. Law 31, Montana Lawyer, December2007/January 2008
• State Tax Disputes and the Issue of Representation, Montana Society of CPA’s E-Connect, November 2007; also published in “Line Items” 1st Quarter, 2008.
• Montana Securities Law; Montana Lawyer, February 2007; 32 Montana Lawyer 10. This article was the Runner-up for the Frank Haswell Award.

Selected Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

• 2025 Challenging the Commodification of Australia's Olympic Athletes, Australian Feminist Law Journal, 51(1):47-71.
• 2023 Karen (KE) Powell, Nicole Siller, From Law School to Practice: Conflict in Australian University Mental Health Management and Law School Employability, International Journal of the Legal Profession, 31(1).
• 2020 Protecting Retirement: Clarify U.S. Treatment of Superannuation Guarantee, Australian Tax Review, 49(1):32-55.
• 2020 Zehra G. Kavame Eroglu, Karen (KE) Powell, Role and Effectiveness of ASIC Compared with the SEC: Shedding Light on Regulation and Enforcement in the US and Australia, Journal of Banking and Finance Law and Practice, vol. 30.
• 2019 Karen Powell, Monica Hope, The Perils of Shifting Regulatory Definitions in Emerging Markets: A Comparative Analysis of Digital Currency Definitions in Australia and US Tax Law, eJournal of Tax Research, 16(3):594.

US Law Journal Articles and Other Publications

• 2021 Identifying Exempt Intangible Assets in State Property Tax: Urging Stricter Application of Burden of Proof, Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, 30(2):235.
• 2019 Britt P. Tevis, Karen (KE) Powell, Student Evaluation of Teaching: An Unlawful Barrier to Women's Professional Advancement in Australian Universities, Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal, 37(1).
• 2018 Karen Powell, Lauren Bartlett, Experiential Learning: Negotiations Across Disciplines, The Journal of Experiential Learning, 2(2/4).
• 2015 How Taxis, Peanuts and Assault Rifles Get You a Martini for Dinner: Examining Peanut Quotas and Taxi Medallions in Consideration of Whether a Fifth Amendment Takings Claim is a Red Herring When Eliminating Alcohol License Quota Systems, DePaul Business and Commercial Law Journal, 13:433.
• 2014 Raise a Glass to Constitutional History, Montana Lawyer, 40 Nov. Mont. Law 9.
• 2009 Montana Property Tax Historical Perspectives: 25 Years of Statewide Appraisal Practice, Montana Law Review, 70.
• 2007/2008 State Tax Disputes and the Issue of Representation, Montana Society of CPA E-Connect (2007); "Line Items" (2008).
• 2007 Montana Securities Law, Montana Lawyer, 32 Feb. Mont. Law 10.

Research Grants

• 2021 Johnston, N., Lee, A., Mishra, S., Powell, K., Bowler-Smith, M. and Zutshi, A. A Data-Driven Holistic Understanding of Strata Insurance in Australia and New Zealand. Deakin University.
• 2020 Nicole Siller, Karen Powell, Success and Retention through WIL: Increasing Success for Cloud-Based Law Students. Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program.

Invited Talks

• 2023 Plain English Drafting; Eastern Solicitors Law Association.
• 2020 Designing Online WIL, Tales of Teaching Online (Podcast) with Jo Elliot, Deakin Learning Futures.

Conference Activity

Papers

• 2024 The Brisbane Olympics and Tax Concessions: Managing Global Expectations with Domestic Tax Concessions, Australasian Tax Teachers Association Annual Conference.

Professional Service

To Profession

• Director, Deakin Juris Doctorate Course, 2019-2021

Education

Master of Science in Taxation, Oxford University. Policy focus, tax thesis.

Graduate Certificate, Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Deakin University.

J.D., Stanford Law School (2000.) Submissions Editor, Stanford Law and Policy Review; Editor, Stanford Technology Law Review; Stanford National Native American Moot Court competition team. Vice President, Stanford Native American Law Student Association.

Wesleyan University, B.A. (1993.) Winner, Jones Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence. American Studies Major.

Professional Experience:

Co-owner, Blackstone Properties L.L.C. (2000 to present) Business development; tax and accounting compliance, legal issues, valuation, purchase and sale of 70+ residential and commercial units. Business modeling, valuation, and cash-flow analysis.

Chairwoman, Montana State Tax Appeal Board. (2006 to 2015.) Twice appointed by the Governor to oversee three-member, Senate-confirmed Board, which is the court of record for all state tax appeals. The Chairperson oversees trials for all state tax appeals including property, centrally assessed, tobacco, transportation and other tax matters as well as procedural and litigation issues, multi-billion dollar cases, complex litigation, and pro se litigants. Draft, research and issue decisions and orders, oversee all evidentiary rulings and motions practice. Oversee budget, legislation, staff management and case management. Presided over more than 100 trials and issued hundreds of opinions.

Owner, Triple Divide Spirits (2012 to 2015.) Founder and sole owner of federally and state licensed micro-distillery selling vodka, gin and rum. Oversaw business development; tax and accounting compliance, other legal, employment, and regulatory management, trademark and business modeling and cash-flow analysis. Oversaw business sale to new owners.

Substitute Justice of the Peace, Lewis and Clark County (2010 to 2015.) Act as substitute judge as needed for Judge Swingley. Oversee initial bond hearings for misdemeanor and felony criminal cases, oversee initial appearances and sentencing for a variety of misdemeanor criminal charges, signing authority for civil and criminal filings, including motions to dismiss, search warrants, and other filings. Perform marriages.

Deputy Commissioner of Insurance and Securities (Deputy State Auditor) 2005 -2006. Statutorily authorized to act as Commissioner of Insurance and Securities. Directed legislative agenda, policy decisions regarding insurance and securities. Managed State Auditor’s Office including policy decisions, personnel and budget management. Oversaw in excess of $70 million collected, over $9 million budget, and staff of over 70 FTE. Coordinated litigation, and negotiation of several multi-million dollar litigated cases, implementation of InsureMontana program (health insurance for un-insured/ under-insured Montanans). Deputy Securities Commissioner, 2004 - 2006. Oversight of Securities Department, including budgeting, legislation, policy, litigation, entrepreneur connections, and personnel issues. State Representative; North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). NASAA Investor Education Section Vice Chair, 2005-2006, Member, NASAA Small Business Education Outreach Project Group, 2005, NASAA Mountain Zone Enforcement Coordinator 2004-2005. Appointed Acting Deputy State Auditor (Chief of Staff); Winter 2004. Policy Advisor, State Auditor’s Office. 2003- 2004. Oversight and direction of policy for State Land Board issues, senior outreach for the office. Litigated insurance and securities cases.

Assistant Attorney General, State of Montana Attorney General's Office, Agency Legal Services Bureau. September 2001-December 2002. Provided civil legal services to State agencies. Represented agencies in general matters, including tort claims against the State, tobacco enforcement efforts, asbestos litigation, investigation, court filings, settlement, and appellate filings. Presided over MAPA hearings.

Law Clerk, Montana Supreme Court, Justice Jim Regnier, 2000-2001. Law Clerk, U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, Criminal Section and Civil Section, 1999. Litigator, San Francisco U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, 1998. Legal Intern, Lewis and Clark County Attorney Mike McGrath’s Office, 1997.

Awards, Certifications, and Professional Presentations

• U.S. Expats Tax Seminar: Tax Basics, New Tax Law; Democrats Abroad, May 2018.
• Judicial Ethics Panel member, University of Montana Law School Reunion CLE, Sept. 2014.
• Judicial Panel member, Wichita Conference for Ad Valorem Taxation of Telecom and Utilities, July 2014.
• Civil Mediation (40 hour course), National Judicial College April 2014.
• Developed and Presented, 21st Constitutional Amendment and Effects on Current Law CLE, October 2013.
• Certified: Mediation Fundamentals (40 hour course), Center for Collaborative Solutions, 2013.
• Woman in Motion Award, Helena YWCA, 2012 (Based on lecture: Leadership and Women in Sports. Multiple presentations to women’s leadership groups and YWCA.)
• Lincoln Land Institute, State Tax Judge Symposium, Presented Case Notes, 2007, 2008, 2009. Presentations on centrally-assessed valuation methods; social media and law practice, 2011.
• Montana State Legislature; presentations and testimony to Legislative Committees including Presentation on Tax Appeal Boards for House and Senate Tax Committee, 2007 - 2013. Administrative Tax Appeal Procedure in Montana; MT Bar Assoc., Outline/CLE Presentation, March 2007. Ethics and Administrative Procedure in Montana, Panel Presentation, Montana CLE, March 2007.
• Wichita Conference for Ad Valorem Taxation of Telecom and Utilities, Wichita Kansas, 2009.
• Fundamentals of Property Appraisal, IAAO (Weeklong course), Montana, 2007 (Certified).
• Fundamentals of Industrial Valuation, IAAO, Seattle, 2007 (Certified).
• IAAO Trial Preparation Course, Las Vegas, 2007 (Instructor & Presiding Judge).
• Outstanding Service Award, North American Securities Administrator Association (NASAA) 2006.
• Presentations: National White Collar Crime Annual Economic Crimes Conf., 2005; NASAA Mountain Zone Enforcement Conf., Montana Senior Fraud Prevention Seminars, 2005; NASAA Annual Meetings, 2003-2005. NASAA Investor Education (Florida); NASAA Corporate Finance (Florida) –Small Business Education Outreach Project; NASAA Administrators Meeting (Rhode Island; Canada).

Board Leadership Experience

Experienced board member, with skills in overseeing staff, operations, strategic planning, compliance and legal responsibilities in both Australia and the US.

• IFSC Governance Commission (appointed), 2022–ongoing
• Council Member, Oceania Council for Sport Climbing, 2021–2026. Oversee IFSC sport climbing competitions in the Oceanic region (including Australia and New Zealand), including Continental Cups and Olympic qualifiers.
• Board Member, Southern Lights Ice Hockey, 2021–2024
• Board Member, Sport Climbing Victoria, 2019–2021
• Commissioner, Montana Uniform Law Commission, 2008–2016. Twice appointed by Montana Legislative Council as Montana representative of the National Council of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL). Study Committee on Mortgage Subrogation Act member, Drafting Committee on Hague Child Custody member.
• Volunteer, Q+Law (policy and strategic analysis), 2026
• Volunteer, New Ventures Law Clinic (Deakin University Law Clinic), 2018
• Volunteer, Montana Self-Help Law Clinic, 2016
• Board Member, Montana Education Partnership, 2011–2015
• Board Member, Lewis and Clark County Community Health Center, 2008–2014
• Volunteer Mediator (licensed), Community Mediation Center, 2013–2015
• Board Member, Friendship Center (domestic violence shelter), 2003–2007

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Full CV available on request.

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