Professional Biography
Kenneth C Schatz, JD, is the founder and Senior Associate of Schatz and Associates. He has over thirty-five (35) years of law experience in the specialty areas of Business Planning, Estate and Personal Planning, Trust Services, Tax Services, Life Insurance, Investments and Elder Care. Ken is no longer in the active practice of law. He works solely as a consultant with his clients and other professionals bringing to them the knowledge and expertise he has accumulated over the past 35 years. Ken’s practice was commonly considered a “peoples” practice. Ken knew and felt a great sense of accomplishment when all the planning came together at the time of a client’s death. There was nothing more fulfilling and rewarding than having a family remain communicative and happy when the planning efforts of parents are fully realized and understood. Knowing that each child had been treated equally in value from assets distributed, while maybe not sharing the same assets, usually enhances family harmony and compatibility for the surviving generation.
Ken graduated with a BA major in business and economics with a math minor from Wartburg College, Waverly Iowa in 1963. In 1975 Ken completed Northwestern National Graduate Trust School. He received his Jurist Doctorate from the University of South Dakota Law School in 1971. He was formally admitted to practice of law in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He had also been admitted to the Federal District Courts, US Court of Appeals and the US Tax Court.
Ken also held a Registered Investment Advisory License from the Iowa Insurance Division and was licensed to sell life insurance and annuity products in the State of Iowa. He also took and past his exams to become a licensed real estate broker in the state of Colorado but has not established or yet fulfilled the residency requirement.
Ken had been previously employed as a Deputy Clerk for the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, headed a bank trust department for five years, worked as a consultant for the world’s third largest ammonia refrigeration installer as well as a partner in a major law firm for nearly twenty years.
Ken has also served on numerous State Bar Association committees, and was the President of Estate Planning Councils. He has also been an active member of College Deferred Giving Committee, the Regional Medical Center Deferred Giving Committee, Church Council and served as a member or officer of other civic organizations. In addition Ken has made numerous presentations, served as guest lecturer or panel moderator and authored several publications involving estate, trust, business and tax planning.
Ken founded Schatz and Associates eight years ago and has been developing and improving the model of specialty consulting services. Many of his clients have been working with him since his over thirty five years and appreciate his candid and direct approach in providing information and planning.
