Services & Industries
Education
LL.M., New York University School of Law
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. Tax Court
Karen is immediate Past Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Estate Planning Practice Group, where she advises individuals and high-net-worth families in estate planning and administration, and assists clients with tax planning, business transactions, and succession planning.
She is experienced in the preparation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents, and provides strategic tax and legal advice to help her clients reach their business goals. Karen regularly assists clients in the creation and development of estate plans through the assessment of assets and goals, and understands complex tax and entity planning including the use of grantor trusts and family limited liability companies. She also has experience advising on pre-formation planning, entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contractual interpretation issues and business succession planning.
Karen previously worked as an attorney with Lane Powell PC, Williams Kastner & Gibbs, PLLC, and Bullivant House Bailey, PC.
Community Involvement & Activities
Estate Planning Council of Portland
Board of Directors, 2020-Present
University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Portland Chapter
Board of Directors, 2011-2015
Oregon State Bar
Bar Exam Co-Grader, 2011
Pro Bono Committee, 2009-2010
Multicultural Kidney Education Program
Board of Directors, 2009-2010
Professional Memberships
Estate Planning Council of Portland
Board Member
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Estate Planning & Administration Section
Oregon State Bar Tax Section
Oregon Women Lawyers
The Professional 50
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
The Best Lawyers in America
2022-2027, Trusts & Estates
Recent News
41 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2027 Best Lawyers in America
Forty-one Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027. Thirty-nine of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
32 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2026 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-two Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2026 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
47 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2026 Best Lawyers in America
Forty-seven Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 37 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026.
36 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2025 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-six Tonkon Torp attorneys in 13 practice areas have been included in the 2025 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
46 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®
Forty-six Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Forty-five of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Recent Publications
FinCEN Ends Beneficial Ownership Reporting Under Corporate Transparency Act
On August 11, 2026, FinCEN announced its final rule that permanently removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). They also announced they will delete any previously reported information by U.S. persons now exempt from the reporting requirements from the beneficial ownership information database.
Planning Your Estate? Here Are Five Common Pitfalls to Consider
By Lindsay Willson and Karen Hobson – In our estate planning practice, whether we are helping high-net worth individuals, family-owned business owners or young families, we urge all our clients to avoid these common pitfalls. If you carefully discuss the below issues with counsel, you’ll be on the right path to best plan your estate.
Publications & Presentations
“Estate Planning Considerations for Real Estate Professionals,” Windermere Real Estate, May 2025
“Planning Your Estate? Here Are 5 Common Pitfalls to Consider,” Portland Business Journal, March 2025
Panelist, “Tax and Other Implications of the SECURE Act – And What You Can Do About It!” Allium Financial Advisors, March 2020
“How Not to Run a Foundation: Lessons from the Trump Foundation Lawsuit,” Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable Annual Conference, September 2018
“From Taxes to Taxidermy: A Taxonomy of Topics for High Net Worth Clients,” September 2018
“Protecting Vulnerable Adults from the Big Bad (Financial) Wolf,” Oregon Business Magazine, September 2018
“Perfect Raincoats: Planning for Changing Seasons,” March 2018
“Wealth Management: A Wealth of Options for Smart Planning,” Portland Business Journal Thought Leader Forum, December 2016