Robin L. Klomparens is a highly regarded tax and estate planning attorney with nearly four decades of experience. A double alumna of the University of Miami School of Law, she earned her Juris Doctorate in 1985 followed by an LL.M. in Taxation in 1986. As a director at Fennemore, Klomparens specializes in navigating complex tax code changes, estate litigation, and business transactions for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Throughout her distinguished career, she has been recognized with the Joanne Garvey Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the V. Judson Klein Award from the California Lawyers Association. A fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Klomparens is also a dedicated educator, having served as an adjunct professor at several law programs, including McGeorge School of Law. Her commitment to the legal profession is further evidenced by her extensive publications and her role as a frequent lecturer on federal and state tax requirements.
What aspects of the curriculum or faculty had the most significant impact on your legal education and career trajectory?
Miami Law had the most amazing professors. For me, it was also wonderful to have professors who specialized in tax and business matters. Many of them were known nationally and often spoke across the country at various conferences. These professors opened my eyes to pursue a career in taxation. It was also a privilege to take courses from the director of the Masters in Tax program. All these professors were also very helpful and engaging in discussions about my desire to specialize in taxation. They guided me in my career path once I graduated from Miami Law and the LL.M. in taxation program.
Throughout my career, they have always been willing to assist when I needed a second opinion on an issue or was looking for an expert to assist in a case. I have enjoyed staying in touch with many of them and still attend conferences where they speak today. Lucky me.
How did your education at the University of Miami School of Law prepare you for your career?
My education at the University of Miami prepared me in multiple ways. During my three years in the J.D. program, I was able to focus on tax and business courses with amazing professors. When I took those courses, it solidified my decision and passion to pursue a career in Taxation. Because Miami had such an outstanding Masters in tax program, I chose to stay at Miami to pursue my LL.M. in tax. It was an extremely intense and rigorous program, but I was able to dive in and learn so many different areas of tax law. The director Elliott Manning was amazing as were all my professors. I have to say that it was clear their primary focus was teaching us about Taxation. When I graduated, I had an incredible tax background under my belt so I could hit the ground running.
What opportunities or connections did you gain at the law school, and how did they influence your career?
First, I stayed in touch with many of my professors. I followed their careers and often was present when they gave lectures at various tax conferences. Because it was a small and intense program, I also made lifetime friendships and still stay in touch with many of my colleagues today. We continue to share ideas, and they are great referral sources for my clients who need legal work out of my area or in states that we do not practice in. Miami also has a great network of alumni, and they are a wonderful resource for so many issues such as legal advice, referrals, assistance with job placement for colleagues and students of mine, as well as other support in so many areas. Not to mention it is fun to commiserate with them about my love of the U’s football program. The U has opened so many doors for me and many others which is an experience my parents echoed as they were also alums of Miami.
