Karin’s tax practice focuses on tax aspects of charitable giving. Karin serves clients throughout the U.S. who need help with federal tax issues.
For more than 30 years, Karin has been a nationwide leader at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel on all tax aspects of charitable giving, including the reporting requirements (Form 8283), substantiation requirements, and appraisal requirements.
Karin was an author of the Treasury regulations governing qualified appraisals, and she contributed to drafting Form 8283 and its instructions. During Karin’s tenure with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Karin worked both in the National Office and in the Litigation & Advisory Division, providing advice and review of both field work and national-level written guidance. Karin has provided countless training sessions nationwide for IRS revenue agents and attorneys regarding charitable contribution issues that arise in audits and litigation. Karin was also a trusted advisor to leaders within IRS Chief Counsel and IRS Exam regarding strategies for abusive charitable donation transactions. For decades, Karin has also spoken frequently to national audiences of land trusts, appraisers, attorneys, and others regarding tax issues associated with charitable giving of personal property and real property, including conservation easements.
In 2006, Karin’s IRS work took her to London where she worked for an extended period for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Prior to Karin’s significant experience with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, she served with the Office of Legislative Counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she drafted legislation for Members of Congress and committees.
D.C. Bar
National Sheldon S. Cohen Chief Counsel Award, 2005
Single award among all IRS Chief Counsel attorneys in the National Office by IRS Chief Counsel Donald Korb in recognition of achievements demonstrating the qualities of former IRS Commissioner and Sheldon Cohen in promoting effective tax administration.
Outstanding Contribution Team Award, 2022
Award by the IRS Office of Chief Counsel recognizing distinguished performance and exceptional contributions essential to the success of handling conservation easement cases.
Numerous individual performance and special act awards, yearly in every year available.
American Bar Association
Board of Advisors, National Center on Philanthropy and the Law (2009-2012)
Land Trust Alliance
Instructor, Appraisers Association of America, Comprehensive Appraisal Studies Program.
Presenter, annual meetings of Appraisers Association of America.
Presenter, Art Law Day conferences, held for art professionals to focus on legal trends in art law.
Presenter, annual and regional meetings of Land Trust Alliance (2004-2016).
Guest lecturer on conservation easements at various law schools including Georgetown University School of Law, New York University School of Law, and University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
University of Maryland, College Park, B.A. with honors, Speech Communication
University of Wisconsin, Madison, M.A. Communication Arts
University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, J.D. with honors
Georgetown University School of Law, Master of Laws in Taxation