TAMPA, Florida, August 11, 2004Legal news, law news, law firm news & research Edward F. Koren, partner and chair of Holland & Knight Private Wealth Services Section, has been elected chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law (RPPT) at the ABA’s annual meeting in Atlanta. His election comes after serving for two years as head of the ABA’s Probate and Trust Division and one year as chair-elect.
As chair of the RPPT for 2004-2005, Koren will oversee the work of 99 committees, including 14 standing committees, 52 Real Property committees and 33 Probate and Trust committees. The ABA Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, with more than 30,000 members, is the leading national forum for lawyers practicing in these fields. The Probate and Trust Division is concerned with all aspects of trusts, estate planning, tax planning for estates, employee benefits, insurance, probate and trust litigation, and related issues. The Real Property Division focuses on legal aspects of the ownership, use, development, transfer, regulation, financing, taxation and disposition of real estate. RPPT practice constitutes about 30 percent of all legal practice in the United States.
“Ed’s election demonstrates Holland & Knight’s quality of leadership and commitment to the profession of law,” said Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr. “Ed is a particularly outstanding example of the success that comes from investing in professional excellence.”
In addition to his ABA responsibilities, Koren will continue to maintain an active practice at Holland & Knight’s Tampa and Lakeland offices. Koren’s practice is heavily involved in estate planning and probate matters, planning for owners of closely held business interests, and determination of the value of entities. He often handles tax controversies involving succession and income taxes, and is involved in various forms of probate and trust litigation, both as counsel and as an expert witness.
Koren is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, the American Bar Foundation, and is active in The Florida Bar, serving as chair of its Tax Section from 1990-91 and chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section from 1988-89. He is immediate past chair of the Estate and Gift Tax Committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and served on its Board of Regents.
Koren earned his B.S.B.A. degree in accounting in 1971 and his J.D. degree, with highest honors, in 1974 from the University of Florida. He is a Florida Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer.
