CATHERINE A. KARAYAN
Senior Associate

Catherine A. Karayan

Ms. Karayan is an attorney focusing on wealth transfer taxes, estate planning and estate administration. Her experience also brings a unique perspective as she counsels clients on their charitable contributions and charitable organizations on their tax exemption.

Prior to joining RHCC, Ms. Karayan was an associate at Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles, California and at Ambrecht & Associates in Santa Barbara, California. Ms. Karayan clerked for the Honorable Kathleen Kerrigan at the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Karayan is a native of Los Angeles.

EDUCATION

New York University School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 2012

University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, J.D., 2011

Washington University in St. Louis, B.A. in Classics, with honors (2008)

PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

University Club of Santa Barbara, Board Member (2016-2017)

Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Board Member (2014-2017)

Federal Bar Association, Section on Taxation, Young Tax Lawyers Division, Co-Chair (2013-2014)

PUBLICATIONS

“Suspension, Forfeiture, and Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status”, Advising California NonProfit Corporations, Chapter 22

“Tax Court Decides Art Isn’t a Hobby”, Los Angeles & San Francisco Daily Journal, October 29, 2014

“What Artworks May Come (to a Museum Near You): The State of Fractional Charitable Giving at the Intersection of Museology and Tax Policy”, Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal, 2011

EVENTS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Presenter: “Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Ethical Teamwork in Tax Practice”, West Virginia Tax Institute (Davis, WV, October 28, 2019)

Panelist: “Navigating the River Styx: Come Sail Away with These Post-Death Elections”, American Bar Association Tax Meeting – Young Lawyers Forum (San Francisco, CA, October 4, 2019)

Seminar Presenter: “Protocol for Victim Funds: Case Study”, Rodriguez, Horii Choi & Cafferata LLP (Los Angeles, CA, September 26, 2019)

Presenter: “Primer on Ethics and Circular 230 Issues”, West Virginia Tax Conference, October 29, 2018

Presenter: “Refresher on Tax Ethics and Circular 230”, Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP, June 7, 2018

Panelist: “Primer on Ethics and Circular 230 Issues for Young Attorneys”, American Bar Association – Section of Taxation, 2018 May Meeting, May 11, 2018

Presenter: “Current Developments from the Courts”, Federal Bar Association – Section on Taxation, 41st Annual Tax Law Conference, Estate and Gift Tax Symposium, March 3, 2017

Co-Presenter: “Opportunities & Obstacles for Foreign Clients”, Presentation to Village Properties Realtors, November 17, 2015

Co-Presenter: “Opportunities & Obstacles for Foreign Clients”, Presentation to Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, September 22, 2015

Guest Lecturer: “Introduction to the United States Tax Court”, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, November 2012, February 2013, and October 2013