‘Ronnie’ joined SKO as a Member in July 2022 as part of the firm’s merger with Katz Korin Cunningham, an Indianapolis firm which Ronnie co-founded with Offer Korin in 1994. “Envisioning opportunities for our clients and our community” is not just a motto for the firm that Ronnie helped foster – it is also part of the foundation of SKO’s culture. It requires an understanding of client goals, the numbers, governmental implications and the impact of tax consequences. The goal is to provide exceptional legal services efficiently at reasonable rates, without the frustration of delays, excess costs and bureaucracy.
Ronnie has maintained an AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating© since 1992 and is listed in U.S. News Best Lawyers in America (for Real Estate and Trusts & Estates) and as an Indiana Super Lawyer. In 2021, Ronnie received The Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law Distinguished Barrister Award, an honor limited to 15 lawyers in the State of Indiana each year. Ronnie has been recognized as a Life Fellow and Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation and as a 2002 recipient of the Indianapolis Bar Association Dr. John Morton-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award.
Ronnie is a leader in the firm’s Trusts & Estates, Business Services, Tax and Real Estate groups. He has also served as an adjunct Professor of Law and guest lecturer for the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (Real Estate Transactions; Trust & Estates) and, since 1993, has taught the Indiana Bar Review courses on Real Estate Law and Probate, Wills, Trusts and Administration. He has been involved in educating his peers for the past quarter century, primarily through continuing legal education courses offered through The Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Trust & Estates: Ronnie counsels clients on the importance of developing plans that meet the needs of the client. His services include a broad range of other matters that may be required as part of the planning process, including entity agreements, real estate transfers, and coordinating beneficiary designations of retirement accounts and life insurance with a client’s overall plan. Ronnie also represents and advises beneficiaries of estate and trusts and advises corporate and individual trustees regarding their responsibilities. As part of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Litigation group, Ronnie also initiates and defends claims on behalf of heirs and beneficiaries.
For the past several years, Ronnie has strongly advocated that medical and legal professionals take a greater proactive role in advocating for their respective patients and clients about end-of-life decisions. He has focused his research and education on the legal, ethical, and practical implications for patients, physicians, caregivers, and attorneys.
Business Services: Ronnie’s services to his business clients includes developing a solid understanding of the financial and tax consequences of intended business transactions, including management strategies that result in improved operational efficiency. Ronnie has counseled businesses in multiple industries in assisting them with internal growth strategies as well as through acquisition and integration. He often assists clients in the development of business and financial structuring plans, particularly with start-up and middle-market companies, which include understanding the advantages and disadvantages of ‘business entity’ alternatives. With respect to closely-held companies, Ronnie’s services include navigating business succession planning challenges, especially with respect to streamlining ownership, financial and operational issues.
Tax Services: Ronnie’s practice often involves estate, business succession and transactional planning relating to federal and state tax implications. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ronnie began his professional career as a certified public accountant (CPA), and following law school earned a Masters of Law in Taxation Degree at Georgetown University Law Center. He also has extensive experience with respect to real estate development involving tax incentive programs, including service as the American Bar Association (ABA) Chair of the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing & Community Development Law. Ronnie also served as a member of the National Advisory Board of West Group’s Housing and Development Reporter for 17 years.
Real Estate: Ronnie’s practice also includes representing and advising clients involved in real estate development and financing in the State of Indiana. A significant focus of this practice has involved the structuring of single family and multi-family residential developments, including tiered levels of ownership and financing alternatives that conform to the client’s goals.
In serving as an engaged stakeholder in the central Indiana community, Ronnie has supported several arts and civic organizations in the City of Indianapolis during his career, including service as a president of the boards of The Indianapolis Fringe Theatre, the Jewish Community Center Association of Indianapolis, and Indiana Federal Community Defenders where he is the current president of the board.