Introduction
Karen is a senior associate in the Trusts & Estates Group at Fredrikson & Byron. Karen assists individuals and families on a variety of estate planning, tax, and business matters. Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Karen practiced estate planning in New York. Karen has extensive experience with estate planning for clients in non-traditional family situations (including unmarried and same-sex couples), owners of large art collections, private equity clients, non-U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens living abroad.
Education
- New York University School of Law, LL.M, 2008
- New York University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2004
- Northwestern University, B.A., cum laude, 2001
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 2009
- New York, 2005
- Southern District of New York, 2005
Practice Areas
Selected Publications & Presentations
- “Tax Planning for Same-Sex Couples,” 9th Annual Minnesota Lavender Bar Association Conference, January 2010; Minnesota State Bar Association Section of Taxation, February 2011; Hennepin County Bar Association Probate and Trust Law Section, March 2011; Minnesota State Bar Association Tax Law Section 71st Annual Tax Institute, December 2011
- “State Income Taxation of Trusts Holding Business Interests,” ABA Sections of Taxation and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, Joint Fall Meeting, October 2011
- “Decanting Irrevocable Trusts,” Minnesota Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, June 2011
- “Minnesota Income Tax Residency of Individuals and Trusts – What Estate Planners Ought to Know,” Minneapolis Estate Planning Council, April 2011
- “Tax Planning for Unmarried Couples,” ABA Section of Taxation Mid-Year Meeting, January 2011
- “Tax Planning for Non-Traditional Families,” Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, December 2010; published in Minnesota Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families, 2nd Edition
- “Modifying Irrevocable Trusts,” Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, February 2010; Minnesota State Bar Association 36th Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, June 2010
- “State Death Taxes – a ‘Crazy Quilt,’” ABA Section of Taxation Mid-Year Meeting, January 2010
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section and Tax Section
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Board Member and Chair of the Probate and Trust Law Section
Honors & Distinctions
- Fellow, American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section (2011-2013)
- 2008 Partner in Justice Award, MFY Legal Services Inc.