By Jeanine Matlow
Legal News
By day, tax attorney Kate Ahlbrand – a member of the Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team at Varnum in Birmingham – handles international tax matters, including mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and compliance.
In her spare time, Ahlbrand enjoys the outdoors and all that it entails as she serves a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Troy Nature Society, a nonprofit organization that manages the programs and activities of the Stage Nature Center in Troy. The center offers educational programs and events that connect visitors with nature and wildlife. Special highlights include play areas, animal and insect exhibits, native gardens, and hiking trails.
Ahlbrand still recalls the field trips she took to the Stage Nature Center as a child.
“I can remember seeing the deer and learning about owls and walking the trails,” she says. “I have such fond memories, and I personally love being outside.”
Now, she enjoys spending time there with her spouse.
Her career path has also been fulfilling for Ahlbrand who earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science at Wayne State University. She then attended Michigan State University College of Law where she worked in the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic during her time there.
“They provide legal services for people who can’t afford them and are facing difficulty with their taxes and the IRS or Michigan Treasury,” she says. “It felt very rewarding.”
Prior to joining Varnum, Ahlbrand worked in international tax and transactions at two Big Four accounting firms. The detail-oriented attorney seems to have found her niche as she handles planning for corporate mergers and acquisitions in addition to advising individuals and corporations on staying compliant with tax requirements and assisting with litigation cases.
“It can certainly be difficult navigating the IRS right now,” says Ahlbrand. “We get our clients in contact with real people to help solve the issue, which can be a challenge with the shortage there.”
Ahlbrand appreciates the achievements that come with her work.
“Facing the full weight of the American government can be terrifying,” Ahlbrand says. “We give clients peace of mind knowing someone is on their side.”
Her peace of mind can be found in any natural environment. For instance, since the Stage Nature Center does not allow dogs, due to the abundant wildlife in the preserve, Ahlbrand stays closer to home for those outings.
“Probably my favorite thing to do after I get out of work is to take the dog for a walk in the neighborhood,” she says. “Just getting outside to get some fresh air and shed the stress of the day.”
The nature center can do the same for people through their many programs from outdoor yoga, to star-gazing, guided photography walks, and many more group and school-year programs.
“It is quite popular to have a birthday party there where their amazing naturalists can lead children on a nature scavenger hunt,” she says.
Special attractions appeal to visitors.
“They have miles of trails throughout the 100-acre preserve, native gardens, and a monarch butterfly waystation that provides necessary resources for monarch butterflies to sustain their migration,” adds Ahlbrand. “The Nature Center also recently developed a mindfulness program consisting of a variety of nature-based guided mindfulness activities and resources to support mental wellbeing.”
Another unique feature she mentions is the Sugar Shed where they make maple syrup from the trees and offer educational programs about the process during the season.
As a board member, Ahlbrand, who also serves as secretary, looks forward to supporting their mission and further enhancing the impact the center has had in the region.
“The role is to ensure that the 501(c)3 meets its community service goals and serves the community with resources and education to inspire the appreciation and preservation of nature,” she explains. “It was really successful in 2024 when the center served more than 30,000 individuals who participated in hands-learning experiences, public outreach programs, enjoying the beauty of the trails, etc.”
In addition, Ahlbrand serves as a council member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section. As a young lawyer herself who has been practicing since 2019, she provides resources of interest to young and new lawyers.
With only so many hours in a day, Ahlbrand finds time for her professional and personal pursuits.
“It has been a career-long struggle for attorneys to achieve work/life balance,” she says. “I generally manage what’s important to me and what’s important to clients, so I feel mentally healthy and invigorated about my work and my life. I love nature and being outside and being active and being with family, which makes me able to be a better attorney when I’m on the job.”
Legal News
By day, tax attorney Kate Ahlbrand – a member of the Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team at Varnum in Birmingham – handles international tax matters, including mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and compliance.
In her spare time, Ahlbrand enjoys the outdoors and all that it entails as she serves a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Troy Nature Society, a nonprofit organization that manages the programs and activities of the Stage Nature Center in Troy. The center offers educational programs and events that connect visitors with nature and wildlife. Special highlights include play areas, animal and insect exhibits, native gardens, and hiking trails.
Ahlbrand still recalls the field trips she took to the Stage Nature Center as a child.
“I can remember seeing the deer and learning about owls and walking the trails,” she says. “I have such fond memories, and I personally love being outside.”
Now, she enjoys spending time there with her spouse.
Her career path has also been fulfilling for Ahlbrand who earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science at Wayne State University. She then attended Michigan State University College of Law where she worked in the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic during her time there.
“They provide legal services for people who can’t afford them and are facing difficulty with their taxes and the IRS or Michigan Treasury,” she says. “It felt very rewarding.”
Prior to joining Varnum, Ahlbrand worked in international tax and transactions at two Big Four accounting firms. The detail-oriented attorney seems to have found her niche as she handles planning for corporate mergers and acquisitions in addition to advising individuals and corporations on staying compliant with tax requirements and assisting with litigation cases.
“It can certainly be difficult navigating the IRS right now,” says Ahlbrand. “We get our clients in contact with real people to help solve the issue, which can be a challenge with the shortage there.”
Ahlbrand appreciates the achievements that come with her work.
“Facing the full weight of the American government can be terrifying,” Ahlbrand says. “We give clients peace of mind knowing someone is on their side.”
Her peace of mind can be found in any natural environment. For instance, since the Stage Nature Center does not allow dogs, due to the abundant wildlife in the preserve, Ahlbrand stays closer to home for those outings.
“Probably my favorite thing to do after I get out of work is to take the dog for a walk in the neighborhood,” she says. “Just getting outside to get some fresh air and shed the stress of the day.”
The nature center can do the same for people through their many programs from outdoor yoga, to star-gazing, guided photography walks, and many more group and school-year programs.
“It is quite popular to have a birthday party there where their amazing naturalists can lead children on a nature scavenger hunt,” she says.
Special attractions appeal to visitors.
“They have miles of trails throughout the 100-acre preserve, native gardens, and a monarch butterfly waystation that provides necessary resources for monarch butterflies to sustain their migration,” adds Ahlbrand. “The Nature Center also recently developed a mindfulness program consisting of a variety of nature-based guided mindfulness activities and resources to support mental wellbeing.”
Another unique feature she mentions is the Sugar Shed where they make maple syrup from the trees and offer educational programs about the process during the season.
As a board member, Ahlbrand, who also serves as secretary, looks forward to supporting their mission and further enhancing the impact the center has had in the region.
“The role is to ensure that the 501(c)3 meets its community service goals and serves the community with resources and education to inspire the appreciation and preservation of nature,” she explains. “It was really successful in 2024 when the center served more than 30,000 individuals who participated in hands-learning experiences, public outreach programs, enjoying the beauty of the trails, etc.”
In addition, Ahlbrand serves as a council member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section. As a young lawyer herself who has been practicing since 2019, she provides resources of interest to young and new lawyers.
With only so many hours in a day, Ahlbrand finds time for her professional and personal pursuits.
“It has been a career-long struggle for attorneys to achieve work/life balance,” she says. “I generally manage what’s important to me and what’s important to clients, so I feel mentally healthy and invigorated about my work and my life. I love nature and being outside and being active and being with family, which makes me able to be a better attorney when I’m on the job.”
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