Efficient, Attentive, And Responsive

Sara Kiviat Berkenwald

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Biography

Sara Kiviat Berkenwald is a shareholder with the Bellevue firm of JGS, where she specializes in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, taxation and charitable giving.

Sara received her bachelor's degree from the University of Washington (with Honors), her law degree and master's in Business Administration from Seattle University School of Law (JD/MBA) and her LL.M (Taxation) from the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to joining JGS, Sara practiced as an associate with the law firm of Isenhour Bleck, PLLC in the areas of elder law and special needs trust planning. Sara serves on the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission, the Seattle Endowment and Planned Giving Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and the Kline Galland Home Health and Hospice Professional Advisory Board. She and her husband have three young children.

Education

  • University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington
    • LL.M. - 2009
    • Major: Taxation
  • Seattle University School of Law and Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle, Washington
    • J.D. / M.B.A - 2009
    • Honors: cum laude
  • University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
    • B.A. - 2003
    • Honors: With Honors
    • Major: History

Classes & Seminars

  • Women's Philanthropic Investment Group of Seattle Board Meeting - Common Estate Planning Documents, 2015
  • University of Washington School of Law - Elder Law Course - Elder Law Attorney Practice, 2015
  • DSHS Region II Financial Case Workers Common Estate Planning Documents, 2014

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Cardozo Society of Washington State Advisory Board, 2009 to 2017
  • The Kline Galland Home Health and Hospice Professional Advisory, 2015 to Present
  • Mercer Island Library Board (appointed position), 2018
  • Anti-Defamation League Board Member, 2018
  • Seattle Endowment and Planned Giving Committee, The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, 2020
  • Parks and Recreation Commission Member – City of Mercer Island, 2019-2023

Past Positions

  • Isenhour Bleck, Associate, 2012 to 2016

Published Works

  • Family Medical Leave Insurance, NWLawyer

Professional Associations

  • Washington State Bar Association

Current Employment Position

  • Shareholder

Practice Areas

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Taxation
  • Charitable Giving

Bar Admissions

  • Washington, 2009