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.
Karin has spent over 30 years at the IRS Office of the Chief Counsel specializing in tax rules for charitable giving, including reporting (Form 8283), substantiation, and appraisal requirements.
While working at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Karin was responsible for written guidance on charitable contributions and helped establish litigating positions for the National Office, the Small Business and Self-Employed Division, and the Litigation and Advisory Division. She participated in formal review of the Treasury regulations on qualified appraisals for charitable contribution deductions.
Karin trained IRS revenue agents and attorneys nationwide on audit and litigation issues related to charitable contributions, and she was a trusted advisor to IRS Counsel litigators and revenue agents on handling abusive charitable contribution transactions. For many years, Karin was a regular speaker on behalf of the IRS on tax topics related to personal property donations, including donations of art, and real property donations, including donations of conservation easements and fee interests. She also guest lectured, on a regular basis, at several leading law schools.
In 2008, Karin’s role with the IRS led her to London, where she contributed her expertise to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Before joining the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Karin served in the Office of Legislative Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives, drafting legislation on behalf of 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.
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.
Bloomberg Tax, Michael J. Bologna. Whistleblower Targets Tax Shelter Promoting Do-Good Technology, March 2026. (Quoted on questions raised when a donor claims a deduction for noncash property donated to charity, but the charity does not report the donation on its Form 990).
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