Agenda - 03-21-2017-11-c - Board of Equalization and Review

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19 Page 2 of 3 Karen Morrissette Board of Equalization and Review(REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Please list/explain your experience, either professionally and/or from other boards/commissions that you have in the areas of real estate,tax appraisal or real estate law. As a practicing attorney/criminal prosecutor, I specialized in financial fraud matters. I handled and supervised many real estate cases as well as tax cases. In addition, I have served on the Board of Equalization and Review for a number of years. As a result, I gained extensive relevant experience. In addition to the experience listed in the question above, please list the work/volunteer experience/qualifications that would add to your expertise for this board. I have also served as the president of three Homeowners or Condominium owners associations. I have served as Chair of the Board of Equalization and Review. I have taught law at the college, graduate school, and law school levels. What do you see as the responsibilities of this board, and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed? This Board must ensure that the applicable laws are applied in an even handed, consistent manner. It is essential that the facts support the decisions of the Board. If appointed, I hope to ensure that the law is applied in a fair and consistent manner and that the actions of the Board are memorialized in an accurate manner in the minutes of the Board. Boards/Commissions appointments: Board of Equalization and Review(REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Application Date: 1/9/2015 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I have experience serving on the Board of Equalization and Review, including service as its chair. I was a federal criminal prosecutor for 28+years and then was an Expert Consultant to the United States Department of Justice. Although I am still currently licensed to practice law (District of Columbia), I am retired from that practice and teach law at the college (undergraduate and graduate)level. That background, experience, and education enables me to conduct hearings and act as a hearing officer in a manner which ensures that Orange County taxpayers receive due process, a fair and complete airing of all relevant issues, and a decision which rests on a review of all relevant information, as well as on the applicable North Carolina law. In addition, the focus of much of my legal practice was white collar crime; I have extensive experience in business, corporate, real estate, and other financial matters. I bring that experience to the Board, as it considers transactions which are sometimes paper and finance intensive and documents its decisions in minutes which are clear, complete, and concise. My responsibilities as a college level faculty member are part time in nature; I have the ability and willingness to commit to the needs of the Board of Equalization and Review. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I have a continuing interest in serving my community. This Board appointment would enable me to do so and would make good use of my background and experience. I found my service on the Board to be very rewarding and I would look forward to serving Orange County and its citizens in this manner in the future. Conflict of Interest: Work Experience: 28 years as an attorney; college level Instructor of Law; substiture teacher; Expert consultant to the United States Department of Justice (2005); Attorney, United States Department of Justice (1978-2005); Adjunct Instructor of Law (2007); substitute Teacher (2006-2010); Visiting Instructor of Law (1977-1978) UPDATE