Karen Buffkin

Adjunct Professor and Executive Director of Employee Relations, UConn

School of Public Policy

Education

B.A. Political Science, University of Connecticut
Juris Doctor, University of Connecticut School of Law

Karen K. Buffkin

Karen has served almost thirty years in public service in both municipal and state government. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Employee Relations for the University of Connecticut. In that capacity Karen serves as the head of the Office of Faculty and Staff Labor Relations. She is also a trustee of the State Employees Retirement Commission.

Beginning in 2011, Karen served in the Office of Policy and Management as the Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Deputy Secretary. Most recently, Karen served as General Counsel to the Governor. Prior to joining the Office of Policy and Management Karen was serving as General Counsel to the State Board of Labor Relations. Karen also served as the General Counsel to the State Comptroller beginning in 2002.

From 1991 to 2000 Karen worked in the Corporation Counsel’s Office for the City of Hartford and handled labor and employment matters involving uniformed service, professional employees and public works employees, as well as employment discrimination and retirement commission matters. She was in private practice in Hartford for two years handling union side labor and employment matters.