Carianne S. Staudt

Overview

Carianne Staudt is a Principal attorney and a member of the firm’s Business & Corporate, Taxation, Trusts & Estates, and Mergers & Acquisitions practice groups. Her practice focuses on helping businesses, families, and entrepreneurs make confident, strategic decisions about their financial and legal futures. Carianne brings a well-rounded perspective that bridges the gap between complex legal issues and real-world client goals.

With deep experience in both corporate tax planning and individual estate planning, Carianne works closely with her clients to develop practical, forward-thinking strategies that protect wealth, minimize tax exposure, and promote long-term financial stability. She is particularly known for her work with closely held business owners and high-net-worth individuals, helping them navigate the intersection of business, tax, and personal legacy planning with clarity and confidence.

Whether advising businesses on tax-optimized structures, mergers and acquisitions, or helping families create comprehensive estate plans to preserve wealth across generations, Carianne is committed to delivering clear, actionable counsel.

Clients value Carianne for her thoughtful, responsive, and collaborative approach. She takes the time to truly understand each client’s priorities and crafts tailored solutions that align with their personal and professional objectives. Her goal is not just to solve legal problems but to serve as a trusted advisor throughout her clients’ financial and business journeys.

Carianne’s tax practice experience includes preparing federal, state, and local tax returns and collaborating with accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals on complex transactional matters. She also represents clients in disputes with taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, handling matters ranging from audits to administrative and judicial proceedings.

In the business realm, Carianne advises clients on tax-efficient business structures, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic tax planning designed to support long-term growth and operational sustainability. She works closely with business owners to help them understand how tax strategy impacts every aspect of their operations, including entity selection, transactions, and compliance. She takes pride in empowering her clients to make informed decisions with assurance.

On the estate planning side of her practice, Carianne partners with families and business owners to develop customized estate plans that reflect their values, protect their loved ones, and preserve wealth for future generations. Her experience includes traditional estate planning, sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, charitable planning, and addressing gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax matters. Education is central to her approach - she believes clients make their best decisions when they are well-informed, actively engaged, and empowered in their planning strategies.

Carianne earned her undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and English from Purdue University, graduating magna cum laude with University Honors while competing as a Division I athlete on the Purdue Women’s Soccer Team. She went on to attend the University of Toledo College of Law and was admitted to practice in 2014. Carianne is licensed to practice in all Ohio courts.