Chrystal Gossett
803.254.4190
- Clemson University, 1985, B.S., cum laude
- University of South Carolina School of Law, 1988, J.D., cum laude; distinguished Arthur B. Custy Award for Outstanding Tax Student; member of the Order of the Coif, the Order of the Wig and Robe; Student Works Editor of S.C. Law Review
- New York University School of Law, 1989, LL.M.; Student Editor, Tax Law Review
- Member, South Carolina Bar
- Member, Richland County Bar Association
- Member, Taxation Specialization Advisory Board of the South Carolina Bar Commission on CLE
- Selected, 2011 Legal Elite in Greater Columbia Business Monthly
- Selected, 2008-2011 Best Lawyers in America
- Selected, 2010-2011 South Carolina Super Lawyers
A Certified Taxation Specialist and a Certified Estate Planning and Probate Specialist, Karen Thomas is a member of the Trusts and Estates Practice Group. She provides legal counsel to professionals, farmers, owners of closely held businesses and large land holdings, and other wealthy individuals on tax and estate planning and probate matters. Her practice is focused primarily on complex probate administration and post-mortem tax planning. She assists families in the steps that must take place after the death of a client, such as probating a will, funding and administering trusts, post-mortem tax planning, conservation easements, and establishing private foundations.
Karen’s experience also includes:
- Wills and trusts
- Shareholder buy-sell agreements
- Family partnerships
- Private foundations
- Public charities
- Tax-deferred exchanges of real estate
- Trust litigation
Karen has served as chair of the Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Advisory Board of the South Carolina Bar Commission on CLE and past chair of the Columbia Estate Planning Council.
An active community volunteer, Karen served as chair of the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital Board, one of the largest children’s hospitals in South Carolina. She has also served on the boards of the American Cancer Society Southeastern Division and the Junior League of Columbia, and on numerous committees at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and Hammond School.
