Sophisticated. Successful. Multifaceted

Photo of Karen G. DelPonte

Karen G. DelPonte

  • Partner
Photo of Karen G. DelPonte

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Practice Areas:

  • Trusts & Estates
  • Probate & Estate Administration
  • Estate Tax Planning
  • Business Succession
Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence Law 2022
Martindale-Hubbell | AV Preeminent | Peer Rated For Highest level Of Professional Excellence 2022
Rated By Super Lawyers | Karen G. DelPonte | Selected In 2023 Thomson Reuters
Martindale-Hubbell | AV Preeminent | Peer Rated For Highest level Of Professional Excellence 2023

Biography

Karen concentrates her practice in the area of estate planning with emphasis on advising individuals and business clients, including advice with respect to family owned businesses, limited liability companies and family partnerships. Karen counsels clients as to reduction or elimination of estate and gift taxes and on matters involving life insurance and asset protection.

Prior to joining the Firm, Karen was a partner in the Providence law firm of Edwards & Angell (now Locke Lord LLP).

Karen was named a 2012 Providence Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers.

Education

  • Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
    • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence – 1983
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Honors: Boston College National Moot Court Team
    • Law Review: Member Boston College International and Comparative Law Review
  • Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts
    • B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1977
    • Honors: Wellesley Scholar
    • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

Pro Bono Activities

  • Crossroads Rhode Island Board of Directors
  • June Rockwell Levy Foundation Trustee since 2009 (a charitable foundation which focuses on grant-making to charitable organizations in Northern Rhode Island)
  • Active Parishioner at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, Providence, RI
  • Former Member of the Board of Trustees; Active Member, Hope Club (First Female President in Club's 135-year History)
  • Providence Public Library, Former Member of the Board of Directors
  • Town of Cumberland Library, Former Member of the Board of Trustees
  • Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Former Member of the Board of Trustees
  • Rhode Island Historical Society, Former Member of the Board of Trustees
  • Sojourner House, Former Member of the Board of Trustees

Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Voted the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for in Trusts and Estates in Providence
  • Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law, 2022, 2023
  • 2012 Recipient of the Rhode Island Bar Association Florence K. Murray Award for Exemplary Achievement in the Advancement of Women in the Law
  • 2008 Awarded the Harold E. Soloveitzik Professional Leadership Award from the Rhode Island Foundation
  • 2005 Recipient of the Boston College Law School 75th Anniversary Alumna Award
  • 1994 Recipient of the Rhode Island Bar Association Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award
  • Designated a Rhode Island and New England Super Lawyer in the category of Estate Planning and Probate
  • Named FIVE STAR Wealth Manager

Bar Admissions

  • Rhode Island, 1983
  • Massachusetts, 1984

Professional Associations

  • Rhode Island Bar Foundation
  • Rhode Island Bar Association, Member of Committee on Trusts and Estates
  • Rhode Island Estate Planning Council, Past President and former Member of Board of Directors
  • Past Member of Board of Directors; Current Associate Member, RI Society of CPAs
  • Former Member, Rhode Island Foundation Professional Advisory Council
  • Member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Boston College Law School Alumni Association
  • Member, Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board

Classes & Seminars

  • Past lecturer for the Rhode Island Bar Association

Published Works

  • Author of a chapter for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education publication “A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Rhode Island” published in 2012