Karl A. Weiss

Principal

Practice Emphasis

With over 20 years of experience and 250+ merger/acquisition transactions (ranging up to $120M), Karl provides comprehensive legal and tax counsel, personalized to all types of closely held and family businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Drawing upon a significant federal and state tax background, he enjoys assisting clients with choice of entity and formation, governance and operating agreements, employment and compensation plans, service agreements, as well as business dissolutions, succession planning, mergers/acquisitions, and advanced estate/tax planning.  Utilizing a team approach, he works closely with the clients’ other professional advisors.

Prior to joining Lasher Holzapfel Sperry and Ebberson, Karl was a Manager with a big-four accounting firm in its state and local tax consulting practice, where he assisted Fortune 500 clients, middle market businesses, and emerging growth companies in tax and strategic planning.

During law school, Karl served on the Willamette Law Review, was a member of Inns of Court (mentored by Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson), and clerked for the five Magistrates of the Oregon Tax Court.

Education

  • LL.M. (Taxation), New York University
  • Juris Doctor, Willamette University
  • Accounting Technician, Northern Arizona Institute of Technology, Flagstaff, AZ
  • Bachelor of Arts (Behavioral Science & Law), University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ

Representative Cases

  • IRC 368(a)(1)(F) Reorganization and conversion of existing corporation to limited liability company for tax-deferred rollover treatment in sale transaction
  • Represented separate gaming and/or software companies in sale transactions to private company/public company.
  • Assisted professional engineering firm from formation to $20M in revenue and ultimate sale to public company.
  • Stock acquisition of a specialized construction firm with an accompanying IRC Section 338(h)(10) election (stock sale treated as asset sale).
  • Reorganization of a manufacturer’s representative business pursuant to IRC Section 368(a)(1)(D) (split off), when owners failed to agree on future course of business.
  • Equity participation plans and other non-qualified employee incentive plans in light of IRC Section 409A (deferred compensation).

Publications and Presentations

  • Contributing Author – Washington Partnership and Limited Liability Company Deskbook” (3rd Ed. 2020 and 2nd Ed. 2010), Washington State Bar Association
  • Co-Author – “Estate Planning for Timber Families,” Northwest Woodlands Magazine
  • “Favorably Negotiate Complicated Business Contracts with Strategic Tools,” National Business Institute
  • “Splitting up Businesses (in a divorce),” The Seminar Group
  • “Limited Liability Companies,” National Business Institute
  • “Tax Opportunities and Issues for the LLC,” National Business Institute
  • “LLC Workshop: Choose, Draft and Maintain,” National Business Institute
  • “Drafting LLC Operating Agreements,” National Business Institute
  • “Tax Primer for Business Attorneys,” King County Bar Association
  • “To LLC or not to LLC,” Northwest Entrepreneur Network

Professional & Civic

Managing Principal, Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson PLLC, 2019, 2020

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of ‘Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law’ (2021 – 2024 ed.)

Super Lawyers magazine Washington (business/corporate law) – 2010-2023

Seattle Met magazine Top Lawyer (business/corporate law) – 2011-2020

Washington Law & Politics magazine, Rising Star, 2008 and 2009

Seattle Business Monthly magazine (tax law) 2007

Seattle magazine, Top Lawyer (tax law) 2007

Admitted to U.S. Tax Court 2008

Washington State Bar Association, Taxation Section

Past Director, Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club

Past Director, Bellevue International School PTA

Past Committee Member, Northwest Entrepreneur Network

Division I NCAA swimming – team captain and school record holder at University of Wisconsin- Madison

U.S. Swimming – Nationally ranked 100m Butterfly / competed in two U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

U.S. Masters Swimming National Short Course Champion (free relay)

Karl A. Weiss

Video

Testimonials

I have worked with Karl on a variety of business matters since 2007. He has provided consistently good service, in a timely manner, since our first conversation. He has helped with a variety of complex contracts, business formation and other matters. Going beyond just providing expert legal support, his advice has been invaluable in the growth of our business. I highly recommend Karl.
Sean - via AVVO
Karl Wise [sic] provided legal support to my firm from Star-up (2008) through Sale/Acquisition (2022). We started with one employee and grew to 100 employee firm. Karl did an exceptional job throughout our tenure. He was always available and became a trusted advisor to the President.
Dennis O. - via Best Lawyers