CEO and Co-Founder

Karina DuQuesne is the CEO and Co-Founder of Encore, a first-of-its-kind legal intelligence platform built specifically for entrepreneurs. Drawing from her deep experience in both high-stakes corporate law and tech innovation, Karina has steered Encore to deliver legal solutions that are timely, efficient, and cost-effective—helping founders stay focused on building their businesses instead of wrestling with outdated legal processes.

Before co-founding Encore, Karina practiced at top-tier law firms including Saul Ewing and DLA Piper LLP, advising fast-growth tech companies and investment funds on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions. She later established the Technology and Innovation Practice at Caldera Law, shaping legal strategies for venture-backed startups and remains an Advisor there, guiding founders from seed to scale.

Karina’s passion for high-impact ventures led her to serve as Chief People Officer, General Counsel, and Interim GM (U.S.) at Ironhack, a global edtech company where she championed rapid expansion and nurtured the next generation of tech leaders. She also played a pivotal role on the executive team of a global enterprise SaaS firm, driving a merger of equals that spanned six countries. Over the course of her career, she has been involved in more than 15 leveraged buyout transactions worth over $2 billion across multiple sectors.

A Miami native who began her career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York, Karina returned to her hometown to blend her expertise in finance, law, and technology. Committed to elevating underrepresented voices in the tech sector, she founded the Ironhack Women in Tech Collective and actively invests in diverse early-stage founders.

Karina earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School and her Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, along with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution. Recognized as “Counsel on the Rise” by the Daily Business Review, she continues to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking startup community—one founder at a time.

Co-Founder and [Need a Legal related title]

Ben Wolkov is the Co-Founder and [Need a Legal related title] of Encore, a first-of-its-kind legal intelligence platform purpose-built for entrepreneurs. Drawing on more than twenty years of global experience—spanning the U.S., Europe, and Latin America—Ben merges big-law sophistication with an entrepreneurial mindset to help founders quickly access critical legal support and stay laser-focused on growth.

In addition to his role at Encore, Ben serves as the Managing Partner at Caldera Law, where he bridges the sophistication of “big law” with the entrepreneurial mindset of high-growth ventures. He has guided countless founders, executives, and investors through major strategic events—from capital raises and joint ventures to acquisitions and global expansions. His clientele spans a wide range of industries, including technology, sports, media, and consumer products, with a focus on fueling innovative ideas and helping businesses navigate critical inflection points.

Ben’s proven track record includes representing some of the world’s most recognizable sports and media brands in high-stakes deals. Known for blending creative legal strategies with a business-first perspective, he has also played a pivotal role in structuring, negotiating, and launching venture-backed startups that have reshaped their industries.

Recognized multiple times by Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite, he was also honored as one of Miami-Dade County’s “40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers” and has been listed in both the South Florida Legal Guide and Best Lawyers in America© for Mergers and Acquisitions Law.

Ben spent a decade at major international law firms in Miami, New York, and Mexico City, culminating in a partnership at McDermott Will & Emery. Today, he remains active in shaping the next generation of legal minds as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, where he teaches Transactional Skills II—a workshop focused on the art of dealmaking. Raised in London and Copenhagen, Ben is fluent in Danish, conversational in Spanish and Portuguese, and has lived and worked in Brazil and Mexico.

Passionate about fostering creativity and community, Ben also serves on several boards, including the Fountainhead Artists’ Residency. At Encore, he’s committed to reinventing legal solutions for founders everywhere, ensuring the next wave of startups can tackle legal complexity head-on and bring their most ambitious ideas to life.