Bio

Karen J. Collingsworth-Crusse is a senior attorney in the firm's Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, trusts, wills, wealth strategy and succession planning. 

Ms. Collingsworth-Crusse is an experienced estate planning attorney, who is also a wealth management professional and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®). She creates strategies for closely held business owners to protect, build value, and transition from their business. Concurrently, Ms. Collingsworth-Crusse works with the family during this process, using governance tools and resources, to support effective communication and family harmony. She provides clients with the passion, experience and guidance to assist them in making the best decisions based on their personal goals and objectives.

While working for several financial institutions for nearly 25 years, she gained the technical expertise and skill necessary to provide advice-based solutions focused on trust administration, estate planning, wealth strategy and business succession, as well as lead a team of cross functional professionals, to provide best-in-class service, solutions and thought leadership.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Collingsworth-Crusse is a sought-after speaker and content developer at symposiums in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. She routinely educates families on governance, next generation, philanthropy, business succession and legacy planning, as well as business owner clients on business succession and estate planning through webinars, seminar and industry meetings. Ms. Collingsworth-Crusse was an on-air expert for a metropolitan Detroit-based radio show focused on family businesses and the unique intersection between work and family. She also served as a panel expert on family businesses for a local CBS news affliliate.

Professional Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan (Probate and Estate Planning Section)

Lectures & Publications

  • Golden Handcuffs:  Motivating and Retaining Key Employees, Presenter, Financial Executives International Detroit - Hot Topic Webinar, March 25, 2021
  • "Lowering the Hurdles to a Successful Family Business Transfer," Author, CORP! Magazine, March 21, 2021
  • Celebrating Detroit Business and Saluting a President, Guest Expert, CBS News: Michigan Matters with Carol Cain, Dec. 7, 2018

  • Family Business Nation, Co-host, WJR 760, 2017

  • Pre and Post Transition Planning for the CEO, MichBusiness, On-Demand Education

Community Involvement

  • Detroit Athletic Club (Board of Directors and Facilitator for the Business Roundtables; Woodbridge Society and Executives Club, member)
  • Troy Area League of Women Voters

Areas of Practice

Credentials

Education

  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D., 1998
  • Oakland University, B.A., 1995

Admissions

  • Michigan, 1999

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