Katheryn J. Thorson

I am a member in the BrownWinick Law Firm and the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group Co-Chair. My practice primarily consists of estate planning, real estate and corporate matters.  In my estate planning practice, I advise individuals and couples from a variety of backgrounds and family situations in developing personalized estate plans to efficiently and effectively transfer their wealth.  I also have experience with assisting individual and corporate fiduciaries and beneficiaries with probate and trust administration and the issues that may develop along the way.  My real estate and corporate practice consists of general commercial real estate and business transactions.    

My Approach

Most of my clients initiate a new engagement with the thought that their estate plan, trust or estate administration or real estate or business transaction is relatively “standard”.  However, every family has different dynamics.  Each piece of land has distinctive features.  And each business has unique characteristics.   From first time parents doing their first estate plan to protect their new baby to helping a client navigate the first somber moments of life after losing a loved one, my goal is to navigate you through a personalized legal experience that you understand.  It is important to me that we take the time to discuss the documents you are executing and items you may not have considered, and I continue to be a resource long after the closing occurs or the documents are executed.  

More About Me

I was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers® in the area of Estate and Probate and selection for inclusion in Best Lawyers® - Ones to Watch in the areas of Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Our Estate Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Practice Group is ranked in Band 1, which is the highest ranking award for Chambers® USA rankings. 

I received my Juris Doctorate degree from Drake University in 2013.  The highlight of my legal education was representing the United States at the International Client Counseling Competition in Scotland after winning the 2013 Regional and National Client Counseling Competitions.  I graduated from Simpson College, cum laude, in 2010, receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics with a specialization in Finance.

I am a central Iowa native that was inspired to become an estate planning and trust attorney from listening to my parents' stories from being in the financial services industry.  It is my grandparents' family farm operation that cultivated my business and real estate interests. 

In addition to my legal practice, I am active in various community and legal organizations including the following: 

• Past President of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa,
• Board Member of the Norwalk Student Education Foundation,
• Board Member of the Board of Adjustment for the City of Norwalk, and 
• Board Member of The Ashcraft Library Project. 

My Specialties

Trusts, Estates and Charitable Giving

• Estate Planning
• Probate, Estate and Trust Administration
• Estate and Gift Taxation
• Business Succession Planning
• Estate and Gift Taxation
• Trust and Estate Litigation

Real Estate, Construction & Environmental

• Acquisitions and Dispositions
• Leasing and Property Management
• 1031 Exchanges
• Eminent Domain

Business Transactions

• Business and Corporate Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions