Timothy Wachter

Timothy J. Wachter

Timothy J. Wachter

Charitable Planning & Organization, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1827
Email: twachter@duffykekel.com

Tim’s background in tax, business transactions, and family businesses, allows him to provide an integrated estate planning approach to assist clients in meeting their family, business, charitable, and tax planning goals.

Admitted to Practice
Oregon, 1987
Washington, 1990
United States Tax Court

Education
Washington State, B.A., cum laude (Accounting), 1984
Willamette University, College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1987

Membership & Activities
Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Council (ACTEC)

Estate Planning Council of Portland

Washington State Bar Real Property, Probate and Law and Taxation Sections

Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration, Taxation, and Elder Law sections

Chair, Executive Committee, Estate Planning and Administration Section, Oregon State Bar Association (2007)

Professional Advisory Council, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington

Advisory Board, MIKE (Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education)

Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, Trust and Estates (2007-Present) and Tax Law; Recognized as 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” for Tax Law in Portland, Oregon and as 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trust and Estates in Portland, Oregon

Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers, estate planning and probate (2007-present)

Listed in Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Guide – Oregon (2019-present)

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale–Hubbell (2002-present)

Publications
Editor, Oregon Statutory Time Limitations, Chapter 6, Elder Law; Survival of Actions; Decedents’ Estates; Trusts., Oregon State Bar (2016 revision)

Author, Administering Trusts in Oregon, Chapter 5, Trustee Duties, Powers and Liabilities, Oregon State Bar (2007 and 2016 revision)

Author, Administering Oregon Estates, Chapter 8, Rights of Interested Persons, Oregon State Bar (2012 revision)

Vanessa Usui

Vanessa A. Usui

Vanessa A. Usui

Charitable Planning & Organizations, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate, Tax Dispute Resolution, Transfer and Income Tax

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1843
Email: vusui@duffykekel.com

Vanessa focuses her practice on estate and tax planning, probate, trust administration, charitable giving and organizations, and tax controversies. She assists clients in developing their estate and business succession plans with an eye towards tax efficiency and business continuity.

She also represents individuals, estates, and businesses in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Oregon Department of Revenue. She has experience representing clients throughout the dispute process – from audit, to appeals, and even in litigation if necessary.

Admitted to Practice
Oregon
Washington
Federal District Court for the District of Oregon
United States Tax Court
Court of Federal Claims

Education
Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
Reed College, B.A.

Membership & Activities
Partnership for Safety and Justice – Board of Directors, 2018-present

Oregon Estate Planning & Administration Newsletter Editorial Board, Member

Basic Rights Oregon – Board of Directors, 2008 – 2017

Karey Schoenfeld

Karey A. Schoenfeld

Karey A. Schoenfeld

Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Business Counsel, Transfer & Income Tax, Charitable Planning & Real Estate

Contact Information:
Phone: 360-750-0673
Email: kschoenfeld@duffykekel.com

Karey’s legal practice focuses on estate planning, wealth transition planning, and the business needs of individuals and owners of closely held businesses. By combining estate planning with business consulting, Karey assists her clients with their legal needs, while minimizing income, gift and estate taxes. Her goal is to advise clients in creating, building and retaining wealth, while striving to minimize friction among family members and protecting assets as they pass from one generation to the next.

Karey practices in our Vancouver, Washington office. She has an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University, and maintains her CPA license in both Oregon and Washington (however, she no longer practices as a CPA).

Certifications/Admissions to Practice
Oregon State Bar, 1986
Washington State Bar, 1994
Oregon State Board of Accountancy, 1987
Washington State Board of Accountancy, 1995
United States Tax Court

Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Mexico, 1982

Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, Willamette University College of Law, 1986

Master of Laws in Taxation, New York University School of Law, 1988

Professional Experience
Karey has practiced in Vancouver, Washington for over 30 years, both as a member of a small tax firm and as a partner in Ferguson & Schoenfeld, PLLC. Prior to working in Vancouver, Karey worked for the Arthur Young accounting firm, and the Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt law firm in Portland, Oregon.

Professional Activities
Past chair, Tax section of the Oregon State Bar

Member, Tax Section and Estate Planning Section of the Oregon State Bar

Past president, Oregon Society of CPAs

Member, Oregon Society of CPAs

Past member, Council of American Institute of CPAs

Member, Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington

Publications
Karey has worked with the Oregon Legislature for many years to coordinate Oregon tax laws with changes in federal tax laws, and has written many articles on the topic.  She has also spoken on various tax issues, including estate and trust matters, and comparisons of Oregon and Washington tax laws.

Community Involvement
Karey is actively involved in the Rotary Club of Vancouver, serving as the current chair of the Vancouver Rotary Foundation, and a member of the Foundation Board for many years throughout the past two decades. She chaired the Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees in 2004 and 2005, and is the current Governance Officer for the Rotary Club of Vancouver, Washington. Karey is a board member and treasurer of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon & SW Washington, and has served on numerous boards throughout the Portland and Vancouver area during her career.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  By Benjamin Franklin 

Steven Nicholes

Steven A. Nicholes

Steven A. Nicholes

Agriculture, Business Counsel, Charitable Planning, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate, Tax Dispute Resolution

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1811
Email: snicholes@duffykekel.com

Steve graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Business Administration and worked for two years as the comptroller of a small company in Eastern Oregon before attending law school.  That business background led Steve to pursue an advanced degree in taxation after law school on his way to becoming a tax attorney.  Steve’s background in business, combined with the advanced training he received in taxation, enables him to assist his clients not only with their tax and estate planning needs, but also with their charitable, business and real estate matters.  Steve has substantial experience establishing and structuring limited liability companies (LLC’s) for his clients, and in structuring Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange transactions.

Admitted to Practice
Oregon, 1980
Washington, 2002
United States Tax Court

Education
University of Florida, LL.M (Taxation), 1981
Gonzaga University, J.D., 1980
Oregon State University, B.A., 1975

Professional Experience
Duffy Kekel LLP, 1981 to present

Representative Board of Directors Memberships:
– Clark Foundation 1995 to present
– Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation 1999 – 2009
– Coaster Theater Foundation 1985 – present
– St. Thomas More Church Administrative Council 2000 – 2015

Membership & Activities
Loss Prevention Subcommittee, Section of Taxation, Oregon State Bar Chair, January 1995 – 2005, Member since 1989

Committee on Partnerships and Unincorporated Business Organizations, Business Law Section, American Bar Association

Committee on S Corporations, Section of Taxation, American Bar Association Planning Committee, Advising the Small Business, Oregon State Bar, 1995

Speaker, Current Developments in Section 1031 Exchanges, Eugene – Springfield Tax Forum, 1995

Speaker, Pitfalls in Estate Administration; Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund, 1994

Speaker, Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits, Estate Planning Council of Southern Nevada, 1991

Publications
Author, Federal Estate Tax Chapter, Administering Oregon Estates, Oregon State Bar Publications, 1983 to present

Author, Estate and Gift Tax Certainty – Are we There Yet?In Brief, Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund, 2011

Author, Estate Tax System in Limbo, In Brief, Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund, 2010

Author, Attorneys as Section 1031 Exchange Accommodators, In Brief, Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund; December, 1996

Author, Timing is Critical When Appealing a Department of Revenue Determination, In Brief, Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund, 1994

Author, New Regulations Govern Tax Deferred Property Exchanges, In Brief, Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund, 1991

Philip Jones

Philip N. Jones

Philip N. Jones

Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Probate & Trust Litigation, Tax Dispute Resolution, Transfer and Income Tax

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1835
Email: pjones@duffykekel.com

Admitted to Practice
Oregon, 1976
Washington, 1993
United States Tax Court
Federal District Court for the District of Oregon
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Education
J.D., Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, with emphasis on income, estate, and gift taxation (1976). 

B.A. Economics, Lewis & Clark College (1973).

Memberships & Activities
Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) (2009 to date)

Oregon State Bar (1976 to date), Taxation Section, Estate Planning & Administration Section (Chair, 2019)

Washington State Bar Association (1993 to date), Taxation Section, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section

Estate Planning Council of Portland (1991 to date)

Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America (2009 to date) in four categories: Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Adjunct Professor of Law, Lewis and Clark Law School (1993 – 2012). Classes taught: Estate and Gift Taxation, Federal Tax Procedure

Speaking Engagements
Leimberg Information Services, Inc., 2022 webinar. Topic: Income in the Final Year: Reportable but Without Cash to Pay. Co-presented with Prof. Lad Boyle and Jonathan Blattmachr.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2021.  Topic: Oregon Update: Legislation, Appellate Opinions, and Ethics Rulings.

Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division CLE, Friday Fundamentals, 2021.  Topic: Estate Planning 101.

Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants, Estate & Trust Conference, 2021.  Topic: Oregon and Washington Estate Taxes.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2020.  Topic: Oregon Update: Legislation, Cases, and Ethics.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Advanced Estate Planning and Administration, 2020. Topic: Tax Consequences of Estate and Trust Settlements and Modifications.

Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants, Estate & Trust Conference, 2020. Topic: The Fiduciary Income Tax.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Taxable Estate Planning, 2019. Topic: Non-Residents and Non-Oregon Property.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2019. Topic: Oregon Update: Legislation, Cases, and Ethics.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning and Administration, 2018. Topic: Cutting the Learning Curve – Tips for Newer Practitioners.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2018.  Topic: Oregon Update: Legislation, Cases, Ethics, and Malpractice.

Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington, 2018.Topic: The Fiduciary Income Tax.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Advanced Estate Planning and Administration, 2018. Topic: The Fiduciary Income Tax.

Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound, Annual Symposium, 2018. Topic: The Fiduciary Income Tax.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning and Administration, 2017. Topics: ACTEC Commentaries on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and Hot Topics in Estate Planning and Administration.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2017. Topic: The Fiduciary Income Tax.

Oregon Society of CPAs, Estate & Trust Conference, 2017. Topic: Basis Reporting, Portability, and Closing Letters.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning and Administration, 2016. Topic: Preparing an Estate Plan to Protect against a Contest.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Annual Estate Planning Seminar, 2016.  Topic: ACTEC Commentaries on the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Advanced Estate Planning and Administration, 2016. Topic: Ethics for Estate Planners.

Oregon Society of CPAs, Estate & Trust Conference, 2015. Topic: Ethical Considerations for Serving as a Trustee.

Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington, Southern Oregon Estate Planning Council, Eugene Estate Planning Council, and Eugene-Springfield Tax Association, Topic: An Introduction to the Fiduciary Income Tax. 2015.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning, 2014. Topic: An Introduction to the Fiduciary Income Tax.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning, 2013. Topic: The New Client Interview.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Advanced Estate Administration, 2012. Topic: The New Oregon Estate Tax.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Advanced Estate Planning, 2011. Topic: How to Avoid a Will or Trust Contest.

Oregon Law Institute, Probate Litigation, 2010. Topic: How to Protect an Estate Plan Against a Contest.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Basic Estate Planning and Administration, 2010. Topic: Petitions for Instructions and Settlement Agreements.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Administering the Taxable Estate, 2009. Topic: The Oregon Inheritance Tax.

Multnomah Bar Association, 2009. Topic: The Oregon Inheritance Tax.

American Bar Association Section of Taxation, 2008. Topic: The Burden of Proof in the Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Oregon Law Institute, Probate Litigation, 2007. Topic: Petitions for Instructions and Settlement Agreements.

Eugene Estate Planning Council, 2006. Topic: The Uniform Trust Code.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Hot Topics in Estate Planning, 2006. Topic: Drafting for the Uniform Trust Code.

Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations, Los Angeles, 2002. Topic: Structuring Successful Affinity Arrangements.

Lewis & Clark Tax Institute, Portland, 2002. Topic: Burden of Proof in Federal Tax Litigation.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Administering Oregon Estates, 2002. Topic: Applications for Instructions and Trust Settlements.

Oregon State Bar, Oregon Tax Institute, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005. Topics: How to Handle a Tax Court Case; Tax Litigation; U.S. Supreme Court Tax Litigation.

Estate Planning Council of Portland, Annual Seminar, 1999. Topic: Estate and Gift Tax Audits and Litigation under the 1997 and 1998 Tax Acts.

IRS/Practitioners Forum, Portland, 1999. Topic: Burden of Proof.

Eugene-Springfield Tax Association, 1999. Topic: Selected Procedural Changes in the 1997 and 1998 Acts.

Clark County (Washington) Estate Planning Council, 1997. Topic: Estate Tax Litigation.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Tax Controversies, 1996 and 2004. Topics: Choice of Forum and Tax Court Litigation.

Tax Executives Institute, Portland, 1996. Topic: Preparing for Tax Litigation.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Broad Brush Taxation, 1991-99. Topic: Tax Returns, Audits, and Appeals; Tax Procedure.

Tax Executives Institute, Portland, 1993. Topic: Negotiating with the Internal Revenue Service.

Oregon State Bar CLE, Resolving Tax Controversies, 1990. Topic: Litigation in the U.S. Tax Court.

Publications
The Mobile QTIP – Part 2, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, September 2021.

The Mobile QTIP, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2021.

Unexpected Income Tax Surprises for Fiduciaries, Probate Practice Reporter, October and November, 2020. Co-author with Prof. F. Ladson Boyle and Jonathan Blattmachr.

How to Recognize a Grantor Trust, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2020.

Post-Mortem Redemption Reduces Estate Tax Charitable Deduction, Estate Planning Journal, May 2019, Vol. 46 No. 5.

The Oregon Estate Tax and Its Fractional Formula for Residents and Nonresidents, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2019.

Janus as a Client: Ethical Obligations When Your Client Plays Two Roles in One Fiduciary Estate, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Law Journal, Vol. 39, No. 3, 2019. Co-author with Prof. Karen Boxx.

Unfunded Trusts, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2019.

Factor Fiduciary Income Tax Into Estate Planning, Estate Planning Journal, September-December 2018, Vol. 45 Nos. 9 through 12.

An Estate Planner’s Guide to Federal Tax Procedure, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, October 2018.

Basis Reporting and Consistency, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2018.

Inconsistent Elections and Basis in Oregon, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, July 2017.

Tax Court Reaffirms its Approval of Net Net Gifts, Journal of Taxation, January 2016, Vol. 124 No. 1.

Will Revocation, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, December 2015.

Circuit Courts Cross Swords on Appellate Venue, Journal of Taxation, March 2015, Vol. 122 No. 3.

Burden of Proof: Fifth Circuit Muddies the Water, Journal of Taxation, January 2015, Vol. 122 No. 1.

A Fiduciary Income Tax Primer, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, Bonus Issue, October 2014.

Federal Circuit Imposes Penalty on No-Tax-Due Return, Journal of Taxation, October 2014, Vol. 121 No. 4.

Final Regulations on Trust Administration Expenses – No Surprises, Journal of Taxation, August 2014, Vol. 121 No. 2. 

The Early Vesting Rule and the Rule Avoiding Intestacy, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, October 2013.

Tax Court in Steinberg Approves the Net Net Gift Concept, Journal of Taxation, December 2013, Vol. 119 No. 6.

Qualified Offers by the Taxpayer and Concessions by the IRS, Journal of Taxation, June 2013, Vol. 118 No. 5.

Representation under the Oregon Uniform Trust Code, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2013.

Trusts Commonly Encountered in Dissolutions, Oregon State Bar Family Law Section Newsletter, April 2013.

Administering Oregon Estates, Oregon State Bar, 2012. Co-editor and Co-author.

Protecting an Estate Plan Against Contests, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, October 2011. Co-author with James Cartwright.

Tenth Circuit Employs Unusual Logic in Criticizing IRS and Reversing Tax Court, Journal of Taxation, September, 2011, Vol. 115 No. 3.

Ninth Circuit Awards Credit to Taxpayers for Service’s Failure to Sell Seized Property, Journal of Taxation, August 2011, Vol. 115 No. 2.

A Divided Second Circuit Fractionalizes Section 2036 in Estate of StewartJournal of Taxation, October, 2010, Vol. 113 No. 4. Co-author with Holly Mitchell.

Tax Court Rejects New Statute of Limitations Regulations, Business Entities, July/August, 2010, Vol. 12 No. 4.

Probate Court Notice Periods, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2010.

The Oregon Inheritance Tax and its Fractional Formula, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2010.

Calculating Bequests Under Formula Clauses, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, October 2009. Co-author with Holly Mitchell.

First Circuit in Textron Gives IRS Access to Tax Accrual Workpapers, Journal of Taxation, October, 2009, Vol. 111 No. 4.

Courts Debate Practitioner Privilege and the Scope of the Tax Shelter Exception, Journal of Taxation, August, 2009, Vol. 111 No. 2.

Appealability of Decisions in Probate and Trust Proceedings, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2009

Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions of Trusts and Estates on Form 1041, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2008.

Revised Organ Donor Legislation Enacted, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, January 2008.

Supreme Court Rules – Negatively – on Deductibility of Trust Investment Advisor Fees, Journal of Taxation, February, 2008, Vol. 108 No. 2.

Drafting for the Uniform Trust Code, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, July 2006.

Judgments and Orders in Probate Court, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, April 2006.

Notice Requirements Under the Uniform Trust Code, Oregon State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Section Newsletter, October 2005.

The Burden of Proof 10 Years After the Shift, 121 Tax Notes 287 (2008).

Supreme Court Rules Narrowly on Interest Abatement Jurisdiction, Journal of Taxation, July, 2007, Vol. 107 No. 1.

Has the Second Circuit Weakened Summons Enforcement Powers? Journal of Taxation, August, 2005, Vol. 103 No. 2.

Supreme Court Finally Rules – Against Taxpayers – on Contingent Attorney’s Fees, Journal of Taxation, March, 2005, Vol. 102 No. 3.

Tax Court Decisions and Interest: A New Decision From a Divided Court Raises More Issues, Journal of Taxation, September, 2004, Vol. 101 No. 3.

The Burden of Proof: The Tax Court Responds to the Eight Circuit’s Directive, Journal of Taxation, April, 2004, Vol. 100 No. 4.

Final Regulations on Qualified Offers: Making It Easier to Make IRS Pay Attorney’s Fees, Journal of Taxation, February, 2004, Vol. 100 No. 2.

Tax Court Discovery and the Stipulation Process: Branerton 30 Years Later, Journal of Taxation, January, 2004, Vol. 100 No. 1.

The Eighth Circuit Weighs in on the Burden of Proof, Journal of Taxation, April, 2003, Vol. 98 No. 4.  Cited by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in Blodgett v. Commissioner, 394 F.3d 1030 (2005).

IRS Reverses Its Position on Late Returns and Refund Claims, Journal of Taxation, February, 2001, Vol. 94 No. 2.

Resolving Interest Disputes with the Service, Journal of Taxation, December, 2000, Vol. 93 No. 6.

The Second and Eighth Circuits Disagree on Late Returns and Refunds, Journal of Taxation, October, 2000, Vol. 93 No. 4.

The Supreme Court Clarifies the Role of Assessments in Tax Controversies, Journal of Taxation, May, 2000, Vol. 92 No. 4.

Drafting Affinity Card Agreements After the Ninth Circuit Exempts the Income as Royalties, Journal of Taxation, November, 1999, Vol. 91 No. 5.

The Burden of Proof Under the ‘98 Act, Journal of Taxation, March, 1999, Vol. 90, No. 3.

How to Protect Funds Remitted to IRS During Tax Court Proceedings, Journal of Taxation, December, 1995, Vol. 83 No. 6.

Columbia River Gorge: A Complete Guide, Mountaineers Books, Seattle, 1992. A guide to the natural history and recreational opportunities of the Columbia Gorge. Editor and Co-Author.

Bicycling the Backroads of Northwest Oregon, Mountaineers Books, Seattle. A guide to bicycle routes in the Willamette valley. Author, First Edition, 1984. Co-Author, Second Edition, 1992.

Canoe Routes: Northwest Oregon, Mountaineers Books, Seattle, 1982. A guide to flatwater canoeing and kayaking in western Oregon and southwestern Washington.

Second edition, Canoe and Kayak Routes of Northwest Oregon, 1997, and third edition, 2007.

Historic Preservation in California: A Legal Handbook, Stanford Environmental Law Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1975. A guide to federal and California law pertaining to historic preservation. Co-Author.

Representative Reported Cases
Banaitis v. Commissioner, 543 U.S. 426, 125 S.Ct. 826, 95 AFTR2d 2005-659 (U.S. Supreme Court, 2005). Issue: Taxation of contingent attorney’s fees.

Willamette Industries, Inc., v. Commissioner. Numerous cases before the U.S. Tax Court, the federal district court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals involving timber valuation, income tax deductions, Freedom of Information Act, and other issues.

Willamette Industries, Inc., v. Department of Revenue, 331 Or. 311, 15 P.3d 18 (2000). Issue: State income taxation of oil and gas royalties generated out-of-state.

Oregon State University Alumni Association and the Alumni Association of the University of Oregon v. Commissioner, 193 F.3d 1098 (9th Cir. 1999), affirming Tax Court Memos 1996-34 and 1996-63. Issue: Unrelated business income taxation of royalties attributable to affinity credit cards.

Dreher v. Smithson and O’Grady (In re Naylor Trust), 162 Or. App. 645, 986 P.2d 721 (1999). Issue: Jurisdiction over nonresident trustees.

Freres Lumber Co. v. Commissioner, Tax Court Memo 1995-589. Valuation of covenant not to compete and purchase price allocations.

Pacific Western Development v. Summit Exchange Co., 118 Or. App. 693, 848 P.2d 1246 (1993). Issue: Liability for property taxes following sale of real property.

Woolley v. Commissioner, Tax Court Memo 1991-131. Issue: Income taxation of stock transfer.

Shannon Connelly

Shannon M. Connelly

Shannon M. Connelly (Partner)

Charitable Planning, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Tax Dispute Resolution

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1832
Email: sconnelly@duffykekel.com

Shannon counsels individuals and families in the areas of personal estate and tax planning, business succession, and estate administration.  She collaborates with clients and their advisors to implement solutions tailored to address identified goals and anticipated needs.  With an eye to minimizing overall taxes, Shannon balances left- and right-brain creativity (possibly mixed with a little humor) to provide responsive and practical advice.

Admitted to Practice
Washington, 2012
Oregon, 1992
Florida, 1991 (inactive status)

Education
University of Miami, LL.M. (Estate Planning), 1992
University of Texas, J.D., 1991
Duke University, B.A., cum laude, 1987

Professional Experience
Past Adjunct Professor of Law, Lewis and Clark Law School (Estate Planning)
Past Editorial Board Member, Books and Media Committee of the ABA Real Property, Probate & Trust Section

Memberships & Activities
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
Past Executive Committee Member and Past Newsletter Editorial Board
Estate Planning and Administration Section, Oregon State Bar, Member
Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Washington State Bar Association
Estate Planning Council of Portland, Member
Multnomah Bar Association, Member
AV Preeminent® Rated Lawyer (Martindale-Hubbell)
Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® (Estate Planning and Probate)

Publications
Various estate planning and administration practice materials, Oregon State Bar

Mitchel Cohen

Mitchel Cohen

Mitchel Cohen

Business Counsel, Charitable Planning, Estate Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Probate & Trust Administration, Tax Dispute Resolution

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1812
Email: mcohen@duffykekel.com

Mitch’s practice focuses on Federal, state and local income, excise, gift and estate tax, including related business matters, estate planning and probate. He assists clients in structuring business transactions with an eye to minimizing tax effect. He represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax authorities in audits and appeals, and in obtaining tax ruling letters, including from the IRS National Office in Washington, D.C. He assists clients with the organization and operation of charitable and other nonprofit organizations. He prepares simple and complex wills and trusts, assists clients with estate tax reduction strategies, and prepares estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax returns. He advises condominium and other homeowner associations on the special income tax treatment of such organizations. He has represented Alaska Native Corporations and Native American Tribes and has particular expertise in the special income tax rules and issues faced by ANCs.

Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
Oregon
Washington
United States Supreme Court
United States District Court, District of Oregon United States Tax Court

Education
LL.M., New York University, 1977

Graduate Editor, Tax Law Review (1976-1977)

J.D., Gonzaga University, 1976, magna cum laude Editor, Gonzaga Law Review (1975-1976)

B.A., Colgate University, 1973

Memberships & Activities
Oregon State Bar Association: Member, Sections on Taxation (Executive Committee, 1986-1990) and Estate Planning

American Bar Association: Member, Sections on Taxation and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law

Western States-IRS Liaison Committee: Member, 1995-2016; Secretary (2001 & 2011), Vice Chair (2002 & 2012), Chair (2003 & 2013)

Estate Planning Council of Portland, Inc.

Portland Tax Forum: Member, Board of Directors, 2010 – Present

Publications
Tenancy in Common – An Alternative to Partnerships or LLCs, Oregon State Bar, Vol. 1 Advising Oregon Businesses Ch. 7 (2017) (Co-autho

Representative IRS Rulings Obtained for Clients
IRS Chief Counsel Memo. (ILM) 201013036 (11/10/09) – income tax basis of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act land (first commercial development

IRS Chief Counsel Memo. (ILM) 200949038 (8/3/09) – income tax deduction

IRS Private Ruling 200147013 (7/7/01) – deduction vs. capital expenditure

IRS Private Ruling 200027019 (4/5/00) – tax status of Indian Tribe

IRS Private Ruling 9522051 (3/3/95) – trust income taxation

IRS Private Ruling 9049041 (12/7/90) – estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes IRS Private Ruling 8417001 (10/12/83) – timber depletion

Astrid Brouillard

Astrid S. Brouillard

Astrid S. Brouillard

Business Counsel, Charitable Planning, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-4010
Email: abrouillard@duffykekel.com

Astrid joined Duffy Kekel in 2020. Her practice includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable organizations, business law, and real estate law.

Admitted to Practice
Washington, 2022
Oregon, 2016
New York, 2013

Education and Experience
U.S. Navy, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, 2012-2016
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2012
Colorado College, B.A., 2006

Memberships & Activities
Estate Planning and Administration Section, Oregon State Bar, Member
Multnomah Bar Association, Member
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy Reserves, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (2017 – 2021)
Lawyers for Literacy Steering Committee Member, SMART Reading
Foster Volunteer, One Tail at a Time PDX

Jessica Baggenstos

Jessica Baggenstos

Jessica Baggenstos

Charitable Planning, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration

Contact Information:
Phone: 971-244-1834
Email: jbaggenstos@duffykekel.com

Jessica focuses her practice on estate planning and administration,
business succession planning and charitable giving. In estate planning, Jessica works with clients whose estate range from modest to high net worth. Jessica enjoys getting to know her clients and assisting them in developing an estate plan that is appropriate for their situation. She has experience with sophisticated estate planning techniques, including insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts and sales to grantor trusts. Jessica also works with charitable organizations. She has helped clients form private foundations and has advised charitable organizations on a range of matters.

Jessica has spoken on estate and gift tax and fiduciary income tax
topics at meetings of the American Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association. Jessica was selected as a Fellow for the American Bar Association’s Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Fellows Program for 2012-2014. She continues to be involved with the leadership of the ABA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section and is currently an Acquisitions Editor for the Real Property, Trust and Estate Journal and a Vice Chair of the Charitable Organizations Group.

Admitted to Practice
Oregon, 2011
California, 2006 (inactive)
District of Columbia, 2008 (inactive)

Education
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. (Taxation, with Certificate in Estate Planning), with distinction, 2008
Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2005
University of Notre Dame, B.A., magna cum laude, 2000

Professional Experience
Prior to joining Duffy Kekel, Jessica was an associate at Venable LLP in Washington, DC. Jessica’s experiences before entering private practice include an internship with the US Congress Joint Committee on Taxation and a clerkship at the District of Columbia Probate Court.

Memberships & Activities
Executive Committee Member, Taxation Section, Oregon State Bar

Member, Estate Planning and Administration Section, Oregon State Bar

Sections on Taxation and Real Property, Trusts and Estates, American Bar Association