Karen Samuels Jones Named President-Elect of CREW Denver

DENVER (October 3, 2008) – Perkins Coie Real Estate Partner Karen Samuels Jones has been named President-Elect 2009 of CREW Denver. She will take her post as president of the organization in 2010.

Jones, who has more than 18 years of commercial real estate experience, focuses her practice representing secured lenders with both the origination, workout and foreclosure of commercial real estate loans. She has been a member of CREW for 13 years and has held several committee positions within the organization prior to this appointment.

"I am truly honored to be elected to this position," said Jones. "CREW is a dynamic organization that provides leadership development and networking opportunities for women to succeed in commercial real estate careers." Perkins Coie has CREW members located in 4 of its offices and is a national sponsor of CREW Network, CREW Careers and CREW Foundation.

"Perkins Coie shares many of the same goals as CREW for its real estate attorneys, by creating an environment where women can succeed," said Alexandra Cole, chair of the firm's Real Estate and Land Use national practice group and recent member of the CREW Network and CREW Chicago Boards of Directors. "We are proud to support Karen in her upcoming role with CREW."

Perkins Coie is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment that provides all employees the opportunity to succeed. For six consecutive years, the firm has been named on FORTUNE magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" and this year was named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Crain's Chicago Business. The firm was also recently recognized by Working Mother magazine as one of the "2008 Best Law Firms for Women" and one of the "2008 Top Ten Family Friendly Firms" by Yale Law Women.

Founded in 1984, CREW Denver is comprised of nearly 200 of the most influential, affluent, energetic and enterprising professionals in Denver's commercial real estate arena. In addition to providing its members with networking and professional development opportunities, CREW also supports many philanthropic activities, including its annual golf tournament to raise funds for the Gateway Battered Women's Shelter in Aurora.