Karen B. Johnson is one of the co-founders of Madge & Johnson, PC, a distinguished law firm located in Westford, Massachusetts, that specializes in estate planning and elder law. With a notable educational background, Karen holds a law degree from Duke University School of Law and an advanced degree (LLM) in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Since 1994, she has been actively practicing law, focusing on Elder Law and Estate Planning. Karen offers a comprehensive range of planning services to her clients, including provisions for incapacity, simple wills, and strategic utilization of estate tax credits for multi-generation families with significant wealth. She guides clients in the effective transfer and protection of their assets, while also assisting them with applications for Medicaid and other government assistance programs.
Karen's approach is collaborative and educational, empowering clients to make informed decisions and jointly develop customized plans that suit their specific needs. Recognizing that estate planning requires ongoing attention, she helps clients regularly monitor and adjust their plans. Karen's extensive experience in implementing and defending plans provides her with practical insights into effective provisions and tested strategies.
Given the Massachusetts residents' exposure to relatively low estate tax thresholds, Karen's tax background becomes a valuable asset for her clients. She comprehends the interplay between estate planning decisions and future income and estate tax obligations, employing advanced tax planning techniques to mitigate overall tax issues.
Apart from her legal practice, Karen is an active advocate for elder law issues. Her advocacy efforts benefit her clients by enhancing her familiarity with government agencies and staying up-to-date with new legislation. For instance, she actively participated in the development of the 2018 BRAVE Act, which expanded benefits and improved access to services for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Karen is a proud member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a bar association and professional society dedicated to representing seniors and individuals with disabilities. Within the Massachusetts Chapter (MassNAELA), she has held various leadership roles, including Board Member, Secretary, Vice President, and President in 2018. Karen has also served on multiple committees, contributing her expertise to Programs, Publications, Chapter Archives, and Advocacy.
As an educator, Karen has shared her knowledge by teaching lawyers how to draft estate plans as an Adjunct Professor at Western New England School of Law, one of the few law schools in the country offering an advanced law degree in Elder Law and Estate Planning. She continues to educate attorneys and the public sector on elder law and estate planning matters through public speaking engagements and classroom teaching. Karen's exceptional work has been recognized, as she has received the Massachusetts Super Lawyer designation consistently from 2015 to the present.
