The Right Choice
At SJS Law, we are a different kind of law firm for today's changing world. We place emphasis on being approachable, kind, consistent, patient and professional, giving each new case the attention it deserves. An integral part of our services is to work closely with our clients, their support team (families, accountants, financial advisors, mentors--whoever that might be) so that they can completely understand the impact of their decisions and make the right decisions with respect to their legal needs.
Quality, Competent Experience
Practice Areas Include:
Wills, Trusts and Estates
Including Trust and Probate Administration
Business
Including Business Planning, Contract Drafting, Non-Profit Business Law
Real Estate
Supporting Residential and Commercial Buyers and Sellers, Lease Transactions, Residential and Commercial Lease Review
Tax Planning
Assisting families and business owners with their tax planning needs as they navigate their estate planning and complex business transactions
Sarah J. Stein is a Colorado licensed attorney that practices in the areas of wills, trusts and estates, business (both for profit and non-profit entities), and real estate. Sarah runs SJS Law, which is a growing boutique firm based in Colorado Springs, with a satellite location in Parker, Colorado. Sarah is a Colorado native with an understanding of the unique needs of Coloradans as they grow their legacy, while also having substantial international experience which has availed her a strong business and market sense.
Sarah graduated from Vermont Law School, cum laude, with her Juris Doctorate and a certificate in international and comparative law. She also holds a master's degree in Environmental Law and Policy. Since starting SJS Law in 2012, she's advanced her estate planning and probate practice by taking a particular interest in the duties and obligations that fiduciaries have to their stakeholders. This enhanced knowledge and understanding of fiduciary duties serves Sarah well in each of her practice areas, whether it is representing personal representatives in estate matters or advising a board of directors in a non-profit setting.
Sarah seeks to provide personalized high-quality legal services to individuals of all means. Sarah believes that an attorney is only one member of a client's team, which should also include their accountant, financial advisor, and other trusted advisors. The goal is for clients to leave each meeting feeling supported, and as though they can always return to ask more questions. Sarah is committed to ensuring that “lawyer” does not mean unapproachable, out of touch or out of reach, but that the law can be applied with compassion and integrity in a way that serves client needs.
Highlights:
2020-2022, Sarah is named as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers Magazine
2021-2022, Sarah is serving as the Vice Chair of the El Paso County Bar Association's Probate Section
2015-2017, Sarah served as adjunct faculty for the University of Colorado's School of Pharmacy teaching a portion of the school's Pharmacy Law course.
Mr. Karsh's practice focuses on business and federal tax law, and he is widely experienced in structuring transactions involving business entities of every type, with a special emphasis on limited liability companies, from their formation and capitalization to their operation and taxation, including issues related to "carried interests." As part of his practice, Mr. Karsh also advises clients on complex estate tax planning matters including the advantages of trusts as part of their estate plan, whether it be a “simple” trust or complex trusts, including the benefits of insurance trusts, multi-generation plans including generation skipping trusts, "dynasty" trusts, GRATs, CRUTs, and the benefits to be derived from inclusion of LLCs/partnerships as part of the estate plan. As somewhat of a spinoff of his estate planning practice, Mr. Karsh has assisted clients in the formation and operation of private foundations to meet their charitable purposes.
He received his degree in economics from the University of Colorado in 1966 and his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law in 1969. After serving as a law clerk to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Mr. Karsh earned a Master of Laws Degree in taxation from New York University before beginning his career in private practice as a business and tax lawyer.
A Spanish linguist, while a partner with Holland & Hart LLP, in 1994 Mr. Karsh served as special tax counsel to the Mexico City law firm of Barrera, Siqueiros y Torres Landa S.C., and has extensive experience in structuring and financing ventures between U.S. companies, foreign entities and individuals. Prior to reducing his practice, Mr. Karsh was regularly involved in the activities of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association, and served on the Committees on Partnerships and LLCs, and the U.S. Activities of Foreigners and Tax Treaties.
Mr. Karsh is co-author of the chapter entitled United States Income, Estate and Gift Taxation of Nonresident Alien Individuals, which appears annually in the Colorado Estate Planning Handbook published by the Colorado Bar Association. He has spoken on a number on business and estate tax planning issues, including topics on partnership/LLC planning matters, and estate tax reform.
*Special Tax Counsel, Of Counsel
Neil's bio is coming soon!
“Personal service, thorough issue consideration, and well-reasoned competence without the legalese. SJS Law brings calm relief even to the most anxious of situations.”
K.M.
Thank you for visiting the SJS Law site. We intend to provide general information, which should not be construed as legal advice at all. If you are looking for advice on a specific matter, you are encouraged to contact us directly. We strongly advise you to not disclose personal or confidential information until an attorney-client relationship has been established, which will only occur in lieu of conflict of interest.