Services & Industries
Education
Taxation LL.M., with distinction, Georgetown University Law Center, 2018
J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2016
B.S., cum laude, Oregon State University (Bend, OR), 2012
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
United States Tax Court
Kate is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Tax and Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits practice groups. She joined the firm from the United States Tax Court where she gained unique insight into taxation matters working as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Kerrigan. While there, she conducted research on federal taxation matters and drafted memoranda and opinions regarding tax-related disputes and issues.
Prior to the U.S. Tax Court, Kate worked at Grant Thornton, LLP as a Mergers & Acquisitions tax associate where she uncovered and presented tax exposure and opportunities related to domestic and foreign acquisition targets. She also served as a law clerk for the Oregon Department of Justice, Civil Enforcement Division. Prior to her legal career, Kate was the owner and operator of a construction and design firm, where she managed construction projects, drafted building plans, and performed bookkeeping services for general contractor clients.
Kate earned her Taxation LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, graduating with Distinction and Dean’s List honors. She earned her J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law where she was Managing Editor of the Oregon Law Review, and Managing Director of the Moot Court Board. She received her B.S., cum laude, from Oregon State University.
A native Oregonian, Kate loves taking part in the region’s outdoor culture, through hiking, camping, skiing, and golfing; she recently discovered the excitement and peacefulness of fly fishing. She also enjoys learning about the Oregon wine industry and discovering innovative wines from throughout the state.
Community Involvement & Activities
Lewis & Clark’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Oregon State Bar Tax Section
Executive Committee, Member
New Tax Lawyer Committee, Member, Event Coordinator
Pro Bono Committee, Member
Portland Tax Forum
Short-Topic Speaker Coordinator
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Taxation Section
The Best Lawyers in America
2023-2025, Ones to Watch – Tax Law
Recent News
Best Lawyers in America Names 15 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2025 Ones to Watch List
Fifteen Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 17 practice groups have been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor that acknowledges the professional excellence of attorneys who have been in private practice for less than 10 years.
33 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2024 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-three Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2024 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
Best Lawyers in America® Names 17 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2024 Ones to Watch List
Seventeen Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 18 practice groups have been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2024 Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor that acknowledges the professional excellence of attorneys who have been in private practice for less than 10 years.
39 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2023 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-nine Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2023 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
Lauren Bernton and Kate Roth Speak on Women in Law Panel for Oregon Law Students
Tonkon Torp attorneys Lauren Bernton and Kate Roth were panelists at a Women in Law program co-sponsored by the University of Oregon Business Law Program, the Women’s Law Forum, and the Law & Entrepreneurship Student Association.
Recent Publications
Preparing Your Business for the Corporate Transparency Act
By Kate Roth – The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) goes into effect January 1, 2024, and requires certain entities to submit organizational and ownership information to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Any business entity formed in or registered with any state or Indian tribe to do business in the United States is subject to the CTA reporting requirements.
Is Your Business Ready for the Corporate Transparency Act?
By Josie Jeremiah, Kate Roth, Sherrill Corbett, and Jessica Morgan – The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently published the “Final Rule” (effective Jan. 1, 2024) under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), part of the government’s efforts to curb money laundering and increase financial transparency.
PPP Round 2: Nonprofit Eligibility, Application Deadline, and Tax Impacts
Shortly before the end of the bizarre and painful 2020 calendar year, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 (the Act) was signed into law, providing an additional $284 billion appropriation for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
PPP Round 2: Who Is Eligible, What Expenses Can Be Paid, And What Is the Tax Treatment?
Shortly before the end of the bizarre and painful 2020 calendar year, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 (the Act) was signed into law, providing an additional $284 billion appropriation for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
New Round of PPP Loans and Tax Breaks in Year End Stimulus Package
After months of stalled negotiations, Congress finally passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 (the “Act”), which includes a $900 billion stimulus package to support the ailing economy. The Act, signed into law by the President on December 27, 2020, includes an additional appropriation of $284.45 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which will be available for both new borrowers and some repeat PPP borrowers that meet specified criteria.
Publications & Presentations
“Preparing Your Business for the Corporate Transparency Act,” November 2023
Panelist, “Women Mean Business: Gender, Social Change, and Planning Your J.D.,” University of Oregon Business Law Program, Feb. 2023
“Is Your Business Ready for the Corporate Transparency Act?” Portland Business Journal, Dec. 2022
“Qualified Small Business Stock: A Primer for Business Lawyers,” Oregon Business Lawyer, June 2022
“Tax Aspects of Operating Agreements,” Broadbrush Taxation: Tax Law for Non-Tax Lawyers, Oregon State Bar Taxation Section, Oct. 2021
“PPP Round 2: Nonprofit Eligibility, Application Deadline, and Tax Impacts,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, March 2021
Panelist, “Cancellation of Debt (COD) for Business and Financial Institutions,” Dallas, Texas Bar Association, March 2021
PPP Round 2: Who Is Eligible, What Expenses Can Be Paid, And What Is the Tax Treatment?, Portland Business Journal, Feb. 2021
Panelist, “Cancellation of Debt (COD) for Business and Financial Institutions,” American Bar Association, Jan. 2021
“New Round of PPP Loans and Tax Breaks in Year End Stimulus Package,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Dec. 2020
“Uncertain Thankfulness: A Tax Deduction Denied & PPP Loan Forgiveness,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Nov. 2020
“Federal Tax Update,” Northwest Federal Tax Conference, Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants, Oct. 2020
“Treasury Releases Guidance on Temporary Deferral of Employee Payroll Taxes,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Sept. 2020
“What Does the Trump Order on Tax Deferrals Mean for Employers?” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Aug. 2020