About Karla Fraser
Karla's practice focuses on finance and infrastructure.
Karla re-joined the firm in 2007, after spending eight years working overseas at Clifford Chance LLP, a leading global law firm, in its London office.
She has extensive international cross-border experience in all aspects of finance, including commercial real estate finance, leveraged and structured finance, acting for financiers, syndicates, sponsors, developers and borrowers. Since returning to the firm, Karla has also been involved in infrastructure projects and PPPs in the transport, water and social infrastructure sectors.
Her transactional skills and an ability to grasp the 'big picture' as well as her attention to detail enable her to provide advice that is concise, relevant and commercially realistic. Karla is recognised as a preeminent lawyer in Doyle's Leading Banking & Finance Lawyers – Brisbane, 2015 and 2018.
Karla has advised in relation to a number of large projects including the private sector financiers on the South-East Queensland Schools PPP and in relation to the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal. Karla's major clients include ANZ, NAB, CBA, Westpac, QIC, Queensland Treasury Corporation and Queensland Sugar Limited.
Karla's international experience includes advising lenders, syndicates, sponsors and borrowers on a variety of corporate financings, both secured and unsecured, management buy-outs, leveraged buy-outs, cross-border financing, opco/propco restructurings, intercreditor arrangements and real estate investment (both domestic and European), project and construction finance.
Financial Services Regulation
Karla is also a member of the firm's Financial Services Regulation practice. She advises financial institutions and corporate clients on regulatory compliance, including in relation to payment systems (such as the Mastercard and Visa schemes), compliance with the Banking Act and Prudential Standards, AML legislation, privacy, credit reporting and the PPSA.
Karla advises financial institutions and corporate clients on a broad range of regulatory compliance issues, including: compliance with the Banking Act and Australian Prudential Standards; payment systems, including credit card schemes, card payment facilities and merchant facilities; white label arrangements; anti-money laundering laws; privacy and credit reporting; and Personal Property Securities legislation; standard product documentation; and the impact of financial sector regulation on businesses and documentation.