Carrie M. Hobbs
- Seattle
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Carrie advises tax-exempt organizations and families, leveraging a U.S. Tax Court and litigation background to navigate complex governance, tax compliance, and charitable planning.
Carrie Hobbs represents and counsels tax-exempt organizations and charitable clients through every stage of their lifecycle, from formation and tax-exemption applications to long-term programmatic success. She works closely with a wide range of organizations to strengthen governance, ensure tax compliance, and address regulatory environments. Carrie also counsels high-net-worth individuals and families on trust and estate planning, with a focus on charitable giving strategies, including the establishment and administration of private foundations and donor-advised funds.
Carrie’s practical, solutions-focused approach is grounded in federal tax law and experience in U.S. Tax Court matters. Before focusing on tax and estate matters, Carrie represented clients in high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts. Her experience includes extensive courtroom advocacy, taking and defending depositions, and leading settlement negotiations and mediations. She also served as a deputy district attorney, managing a high-volume criminal docket and gaining substantial courtroom experience. Her background in courtroom advocacy and internal investigations informs precise, steady guidance on complex legal challenges and government inquiries.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- New York University School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2023
- Seattle University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude; Seattle University Law Review, Note and Comment Editor, 2012
- University of Arkansas, M.S., Operations Management, 2009
- University of Arkansas, B.A., Sociology, cum laude, 2006
Bar and Court Admissions
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Colorado
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Washington
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
Related Employment
- United States Tax Court, Law Clerk, 2023-2025
- United States District Court, Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, Law Clerk, 2022-2023; 2016-2017
- Denver District Attorney's Office, Deputy District Attorney, 2021-2021
- Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP, Denver, CO, Litigation Associate, 2017-2021
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, WA, Litigation Associate, 2012-2016; Summer Associate, 2011
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Women in Music, Board Member and Counsel, 2026-present
- American Bar Association, Section of Taxation, Member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow/Alumni, 2020-present
- William L. Dwyer Inn of Court, Pupilage Co-Leader, 2016-2017; Member, 2011-2017
- Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence, Board Member, 2015-2016