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Real Property Tax Attorney Karen Bauernschmidt Joins Vorys

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP announced today that Karen Bauernschmidt has joined the firm, bringing with her more than 40 years of real property valuation experience from across all of Ohio’s 88 counties.  She joins the firm’s Cleveland office as of counsel.

Vorys has Ohio’s largest state and local tax law practice. One of its key areas of representation is real property tax valuation.

“Karen’s widely respected in the real property tax area not just in Ohio, but across the United States,” said Nicholas Ray, the leader of the Vorys real property tax practice.  “We’re thrilled for her to join our growing team at Vorys.”

Bauernschmidt joins Vorys from Karen H. Bauernschmidt Co. LPA, where she was the owner. Throughout her career, she has successfully reduced real estate taxes on all types of commercial and industrial properties including apartments (conventional and affordable); office buildings; shopping centers and malls; department stores; banks; hotels and motels; assisted living facilities; warehouses; condominiums; distribution centers; recreational facilities and clubs; restaurants; industrial and manufacturing plants.

“I have worked with the property tax lawyers at Vorys and they are consummate professionals,” said Bauernschmidt.  “The firm offers multistate tax resources for many of my longtime clients, and the Vorys team has an outstanding reputation for offering top notch client service in Ohio and throughout the country.”

Bauernschmidt has represented clients in several precedent-setting cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. This includes cases involving:

  • providing adjustments to leased sales in appraisals of owner occupied properties;
  • the methodology for valuation of subsidized and affordable apartment projects;
  • the requirement of Board of Tax Appeals to state findings of fact and conclusions of law in decisions; and
  • the rights of property owner to dismiss an appeal before the BTA when the school board has not appealed.

“Karen brings a wealth of experience in and deep knowledge of all facets of representing property owners on real property tax matters.  She will further strengthen our group,” said Tony Ehler, chair of the firm’s state and local tax subgroup.  “We’re proud of the robust state and local tax practice we have built at Vorys. Adding Karen to our team will enhance the services we can provide our clients.” 

Bauernschmidt is one of the founding members, and current board member, of the National Association of Property Tax Attorneys.  In addition, she is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association and its Tax Committee, the Ohio Women’s Bar Association, and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.

Bauernschmidt received her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her B.A. from Wittenberg University. 

About Vorys: Vorys was established in 1909 and currently has nearly 375 attorneys in seven offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Houston, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Vorys currently ranks as one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States according to American Lawyer magazine.

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