Karen Samuels Jones to Receive Burns Women of Enterprise Award

DENVER (March 16, 2011) – Perkins Coie is proud to announce that Denver partner, Karen Samuels Jones, is this year's recipient of the Joy S. Burns Women Of Enterprise Award.  This award, which is given by the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, is given to a professional woman in the real estate or construction industry who demonstrates the highest achievement in the industry, outstanding leadership, ethical standards and character in her industry and community, as well as giving her time and resources to promote the talents and accomplishments of other women within the industry.

"Karen sets a great example for her other partners and for our community as a whole with the contributions she makes to the practice of real estate law, the high quality work provided, the mentoring of associates, in addition to her involvement in the community.  We have a great deal of talent in the Denver office of Perkins Coie, and Perkins Coie is especially interested in the support and promotion of women in their careers. I am honored to share my practice with her." said Bob Miller, the office managing partner.

Karen is a real estate partner in the Denver office of Perkins Coie. She is currently focusing her practice on distressed real estate lending, sales of property by lenders (REO), foreclosures, receiverships, loan modifications and short sales.  Her clients include special servicers, private lenders, banks and supervised institutional lenders, as well as some senior housing facility owners.  Her recent presentations have included speaking at the ABA Spring Symposium in 2010 on the topic:  "Subleasing as an Extreme Sport" and she is scheduled to present "Leasing in a Distressing Time" at the 15th Annual Real Estate Restructuring Seminar in March, 2011.  She has been recognized by her clients and peers, by being designated in Chambers USA and as a Superlawyer by Law and Politics, since both publications began recognizing attorneys in real estate.

"In our real estate practice nationally, we demand excellence in our profession.  Being recognized by one's clients and colleagues is one of the highest honors an attorney can achieve.  Karen certainly sets a high standard for herself and those she works with, and we support her in her achievement," said Alex Cole, the real estate/land use national practice group chair of Perkins Coie.  "Perkins is bringing several of our management team to Denver, including Laura Whitaker, chair of our executive committee, to celebrate this honor and to support the DU Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management in its efforts to break barriers for women in our profession."

Karen is also a very active member of her community, serving as President of CREW Denver in 2009-2010, chair of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce in 2005-2006 and chair of the Economic Development Group in 2001-2002, among her many other community activities and involvement. In 2010, Karen was honored with the Brian Vogt Community Leader of the Year award, by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce for a lifetime of service to businesses throughout her community. 

The Burns School will recognize Karen on Wednesday, April 27th during the 2011 Women of Enterprise Forum titled "Unleash the Power of WE."  The event will take place at the University of Denver, Governor's Ballroom.

The Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive master’s degrees as well as a certificate program. Housed in the Daniels College of Business, it is structured to reflect the way that real estate and construction management work—as twin functions within the larger context of business. Alumni report that the integrated model is more useful in the real world. At Burns, students receive an education that reflects the reality of the profession in a world where every decision is multidimensional.