Karey Schoenfeld

Of Counsel

How I represent clients at Schwabe

I’ve spent my career assisting clients with their business, estate, and tax needs, with a focus on preserving the wealth they have accumulated. Given my accounting and tax background, I primarily counsel high-net-worth families, and work with them to minimize estate and income taxes.

I love getting to know my clients and helping them determine what will work best for their specific situation. I strive to assist them in establishing an overall estate plan that accounts for the unique facets of their family and its assets. I work to put together an estate plan that not only minimizes taxes to the extent possible, but also sets up a structure that’s easy to implement.

A primary goal in planning is to put a plan in place that helps to reduce the chances of conflicts among heirs, so future generations may work together and enjoy the benefits of their inheritance. When the time comes, I help my clients’ family and personal representative carry out the estate plan established by their parents or grandparents efficiently and effectively.

Education

  • New York University School of Law, Master of Laws in Taxation (1988)‎
  • Willamette University, Juris Doctor (1986)‎
  • University of New Mexico, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (1982)‎

Admissions

  • Oregon State Courts
  • Washington State Courts
  • U.S. Tax Courts
  • Oregon State Board of Accountancy
  • Washington State Board of Accountancy

Memberships

  • Clark County Estate Planning Council, member
  • Washington State Bar, Real Probate & Trust Section, member
  • Washington State Bar, Business Law Section, member
  • Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington, member
  • Oregon State Bar, Tax Section, member, past chair (2005), and past Executive Committee member
  • Oregon State Bar, Estate Planning & Administration Section, member
  • Oregon Society of CPAs, member, past board member, past President (2008-2009)
  • Oregon Society of CPAs, Tax and Legislative Policy Team (2009-2011)

Awards

  • Portland Business Journal IRIS award in 2009
  • Rotarian of the Year award in 2004-2005, 2019-2020
  • Distinguished Rotarian for 2010-2011

Community Activities

Karey is actively involved in her community. She has served on many boards throughout Vancouver and Portland, and currently serves on the following boards:

  • Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon & SW Washington, board member and treasurer (2016-present)
  • Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees Chair (2004 and 2005)
  • Rotary Club of Vancouver, member, board member (2006-present)
  • Vancouver Rotary Foundation, President (2022-2024)
  • Vancouver Community Tree Lighting, Co-Chair (2021-2024)

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