Karina Sargsian

I’m an attorney by profession and an entrepreneur by nature. These combined make me passionate about building strong relationships and providing practical, real-world legal solutions. As Senior Corporate Counsel for Labor & Employment at Qualfon, I provide strategic legal guidance on a wide range of workplace issues. I partner with the Person Office and business leaders to navigate complex employment matters, ensure compliance with employment laws, support internal investigations, and develop proactive solutions that align with the company’s goals. My role also includes overseeing employment-related disputes, advising on employee relations, and mitigating legal risks to foster a compliant and dynamic workplace. Before transitioning in-house, I spent nearly a decade at Holland & Hart LLP, where I advised and defended employers across industries on a broad spectrum of employment-related issues. I worked with multiple clients—ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies—on everything from day-to-day employment concerns to high-stakes litigation. My experience included defending against claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations, as well as handling trade secret disputes and restrictive covenant matters. Beyond litigation, I enjoyed helping businesses draft effective employment policies, negotiate agreements, and proactively manage legal risks. Prior to private practice, I clerked for several judges, gaining invaluable, behind-the-scenes insight into judicial decision-making and the legal system. That experience shaped my ability to craft compelling legal arguments and anticipate how cases might unfold in court. On a more personal note, I immigrated to the U.S. when I was seven years old, knowing only three words in English: hello, yes, and no. As the eldest child, I was the first in my family to navigate the U.S. educational system, learning the ropes on my own while my parents instilled in me the values of hard work and resilience. Today, I have three young kids who drive me crazy and keep me sane at the same time. C'est La Vie!