Karen Samuels Jones President of CREW Denver

DENVER (September 16, 2009) – Perkins Coie Real Estate Partner Karen Samuels Jones has been officially installed as the current President for the remainder of 2009 and the President for 2010 of CREW Denver.  Jones succeeds to the position in advance of the typical January 1st installation because current president Kathy Thurston was promoted and moved to Chicago, Illinois.

"CREW is a dynamic organization that provides opportunities for women to succeed in commercial real estate careers," said Jones.  "This year we are focusing on sharing our success with each other. When we do business together, we all win.  I am honored to serve as President of this important organization."  Jones has been a member of CREW for 14 years and has held several committee positions within the organization prior to this appointment.  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 role with CREW." 

Jones, who has more than 19 years of commercial real estate experience, focuses her practice representing secured lenders with the origination, workout and foreclosure of commercial real estate loans.  Perkins Coie is dedicated to providing an inclusive work environment that provides all employees the opportunity to succeed. For seven consecutive years, the firm has been named on FORTUNE magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For."  The firm was also recently recognized by Working Mother magazine as one of the "2009 Best Law Firms for 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.