Karen J Lapekas

Karen J Lapekas

also known as Lapekas Law, P.A.

4.8
Rating: 8.9

Licensed for 17 years

Tax Lawyer at Coral Gables, FL
Practice Areas: Tax, Litigation, Tax Fraud & Tax Evasion

4000 Ponce De Leon, Suite 470, Coral Gables, FL

About Karen

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Tax 50%

Representing business and individuals against IRS and Florida Department of Revenue tax audits and collection actions.

17 years

50%
Litigation 40%

Representing businesses and individuals in the U.S. Tax Court and U.S. District Court (S.D. Florida)

17 years

40%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 600-600 per hour

Contingency

15%-40%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in New York for 10 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2016

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 17 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2008

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Michigan for 17 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2008

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Lapekas Law, P.A.

4000 Ponce De Leon, Suite 470, Coral Gables, FL, 33146

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Karen J Lapekas's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

26 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (26) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 26 reviews

Posted by anonymous | May 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Exceptional

I worked with Karen on an international case for my elderly father over the last 5+ years. Through her diligent work, the sizable fine was reduced to zero, exceeding everyones expectations. It's also important to note that her high emotional intelligence was helpful in navigating different issues tha...t came up over the years. She was quick to respond to emails and thorough on every point. I feel lucky to have found her when I did. I couldn't recommend her enough.

Posted by Veronika | May 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Tax

Tax audit

Karen J. Lapekas was my tax attorney, and it was a pleasure working with her. I highly recommend hiring her—she made the entire process smooth and stress-free.

Posted by Syeda | November 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Tax

Desk top publishing

We are regular Americans and have no background in these legal matters. The insurance company created a fraudulent billing situation and was trying to force us to pay thousands to the IRS while they were collecting from the fallacious account for years without our knowledge. The IRS was going to c...ollect from us and thankfully we found Karen J. Lapekas. She was able to get the case dropped against us and now we rightfully own nothing to the IRS. She was very helpful to solve my case quickly.

Posted by Judy | November 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

A Huge Relief!

I had been living with a legal albatross around my neck for about a decade. After confiding with a lawyer friend in Denver, he referred me to Karen Lapekas. We talked and I gave her a retainer. Right away, she started looking into my issue....and (sometimes) chased after me to get the support...ing info I had. I'm beyond relieved the issue has been settled thanks to Karen. She is incredibly efficient, communicative and knows her stuff. Now, I'd like her to run the rest of my life! As for honesty??? She's returning part of the retainer she didn't use!!

Posted by Andrés Abreu A | October 18, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Tax

Grateful Beyond Words: A Heartfelt Thanks to Karen

I can’t find the words to express the deep gratitude I feel toward Karen. Not only was she able to resolve a complex IRS issue for my family, which amounted to nearly $70K and was filled with technical challenges and bureaucracy, but she also managed the situation while maintaining remarkable warmth ...and humanity.

See All Client Reviews

Karen J Lapekas's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Karen
Gerrard Lyndon Grant headshot
Gerrard Grant

Business lawyer | Nov 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Karen is an excellent tax attorney and fights zealously for her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable, dependable, and goes above and beyond for her clients."

Michelle Ann Estlund headshot
Michelle Estlund

Tax lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer without hesitation. I have collaborated with Karen and have also referred clients to her. She is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in her field and also very personable. I could not recommend her more highly."

Donald K. S. Petersen headshot
Donald Petersen

Tax lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Other

"This is easy -- if you have a tax question, call Karen. She is personable, quickly responds to phone calls and email, and she explains complicated tax issues in a way that you can understand. I was a law professor for 10 years, and I never had a better student than Karen. Never. So when I recently had a tax issue arise, I called Karen -- even though she was 1,000 miles away, even though I hadn’t talked to her in years, and even though I knew lots of lawyers who I could have called. I knew that she had an LLM from Levin and I knew that she had worked for the IRS. I did the right thing. I have never met anyone more driven to perfection than Karen. She will work and work and work until she gets it right. Save yourself a lot of trouble and call Karen for your tax-related questions."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Tax lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Lapekas is one of the finest Tax attorneys in her state. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services."

View All Endorsements
Francisco Cieza headshot
Francisco Cieza

Litigation lawyer

Michelle Ann Estlund headshot
Michelle Estlund

International law lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.9 (Excellent)

Honors

2016

Top "20 Under 40" Professionals in Miami, Brickell Magazine

2013

Fellowship, Florida Bar Tax Section

2012

Litigation Excellence, IRS Office of Chief Counsel

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Adjunct Professor, University Of Miami School Of Law

2013 - Present

Attorney/President, Lapekas Law, P.A.

2012 - 2013

Special Assistant United States Attorney, Internal Revenue Service

2009 - 2013

Senior Attorney, Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel

2007 - 2008

Legal assistant, Lefkofsky & Gorosh, P.A.

Associations

2024 - Present

Legal Services of Greater Miami

President, Board of Directors

2024 - Present

American College of Tax Counsel

Fellow

2015 - Present

U.S. Tax Court Pro Bono Program

Director for Miami, Florida

2012 - Present

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

Big Sister

2010 - Present

Lawyers for Children America

Attorney Ad-Litem

2016 - 2017

Women's Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

President-Elect

2015 - 2016

Women's Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

Secretary

2014 - 2015

Miami Resource Center (Partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami)

Advisor

Sample of Legal Cases

Humphrey v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo 2013-198

Guy v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo 2013-103

Iovine v. Comm’r, T.C. Summ. Op. 2012-32

Hollingsworth v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo 2010-262

Sherrer v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo 2011-198

Williams v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo 2011-227

1. Sergio Garcia v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 140 T.C. 141 (2013)

See More Legal Cases

Education

2009

University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws (Taxation)

2008

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

J.D.

Speaking Engagements

2016

Dade County Bar Association Bench and Bar Conference Your Next Bold Move: Real Life Tips to Help You Reach Your Dreams

2015

Teleseminar for the American Bar Association Household Employees: The Price of Paying Them Under the Table

2015

Telephone CLE for the Tax Section of the Florida Bar

Considering Tax Court v. District Court Litigation

2015

Summer 2015 CPE Seminar

DO’s and DON’Ts of IRS Audit Representation

2014

2014

21st Annual Miami-Dade County Accounting & Auditing Seminar

Payroll Taxes for New Business Start-Ups

2013

Ethical Governance Day

Ethical Governance Day

2013

Business Monday "Last Minute Tax Help"

2013

Annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami Jazz at Joe’s

2013

20th Annual Miami-Dade County Accounting & Auditing Seminar

DO’s and DON’Ts of IRS Audit Representation

Publications

2016

SANCTIONSALERT.com IRS Thaws Tax Treatment of Cuba

2016

Dade County Bar Association Journal First Comes Love, Then Comes…the IRS?

2013

Dade County Bar Association Bulletin, April Requesting an Extension to File Tax Returns? STOP!

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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