Howard O. Bernstein, Esq., C.P.A., joined Frascona, Joiner, Goodman, and Greenstein P.C. as Of Counsel in 2026. With over 40 years of professional experience in law, tax, accounting, finance, and business, he brings specialist expertise in business, taxation, employment, and international business issues. Previously, he established Howard O. Bernstein, P.C., where he served as the principal attorney, drawing on his background as a Certified Public Accountant (licensed in California) to support businesses and their owners. Howard’s professional focus emphasizes international law, small business law, employment, and taxation. He also brings specialized expertise from his prior role as Associate Regional Counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration, assisting clients with entity selection, complex transactions, international joint ventures, intellectual property disputes, tax research, and representation in tax controversies before the IRS, United States Tax Court, and Colorado Department of Revenue.

Howard contributes the International Business Transactions chapter to the Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Business Organizations (Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc.). His recent projects include drafting corporate, LLC, and partnership documents; negotiating international deals; reviewing shareholder agreements; advising on business sales and investments; drafting employment and independent contractor agreements; negotiating separation agreements, resolving U.S. Customs disputes; managing employment and commercial litigation; facilitating real estate transactions; and serving as an expert witness on federal, state, and international taxation matters. Earlier in his career, he gained financial analysis experience working for major international commodity trading and pharmaceutical corporations. He has been qualified as an expert witness on tax matters in Arapahoe County District Court and Boulder County District Court.

  • Juris Doctor, University of Colorado School of Law Activities:

    • Managing Editor, Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy
    • Executive Committee, Business Law Association
    • Vice Chair, Honor Code Council

  • Advanced Professional Certificate (post-M.B.A.), New York University, Stern School of Business Major in Corporate Financial Management
  • Master of Business Administration, Cornell University, Johnson School of Management Major in Accounting
  • Bachelor of Arts, with honors, Columbia University Major in Psychology
  • Colorado (1994)
  • U.S. District Court of Colorado (1996)
  • U.S. Tax Court (1997)
  • California Society of CPAs (1984)


Howard holds professional qualifications as a lawyer admitted to the courts of Colorado and the U.S. Tax Court. He is also qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (California).

When not practicing law, Howard is deeply involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for Open Studios, providing pro bono services through Colorado Legal Services (recipient of the 2014 John Marshall Award), fundraising for The Children’s Hospital via the Courage Classic cycling tour, and serving as a moderator for the Conference on World Affairs. He also has lectured at the University of Colorado College of Music, and served on the Music Advisory Board of the University of Colorado College of Music.

  • Rated By Super Lawyers in 2025 and 2026
  • Past President, American Academy of Attorney-CPAs (AAA-CPA)
  • Recipient of the 2014 John Robert Marshall Award (also known as the John Marshall Award) from Boulder County Legal Services for dedication to providing legal services to members of the Boulder community who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.
  • Diplomate of the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs for completing additional continuing education, primarily in taxation.
  • Honored by Open Studios, Inc. in 2014 for years of service to the arts in Boulder.
  • Best Lawyer and Best Law Firm, 2014 Colorado Daily Readers’ Poll.
  • Eagle Scout.

★★★★★ When faced with an unexpected situation that put us in a whirlwind of courtrooms, motions, and rulings, Howard and his team have been invaluable to us. Howard is wonderful to work with and really listens when that is what you need most. He is thoughtful in his approach and values a sound strategy to reach favorable outcomes. I hope to never need the services he provided to us again but would call him again in a heartbeat.

★★★★★ I sought Howard as a second opinion on an employment matter in which I was being threatened by a large multimillion dollar corporation. My first attorneys were concentrated on just reaching a huge settlement, but Howard immediately gave us hope. He knew CO law better than anyone else I spoke with, and citing pertinent case law pointed out why the claim was frivolous and worth fighting. The matter has now been resolved for a fraction of what the first attorneys had predicted. Top quality legal team, highest possible recommendation!
★★★★★ I worked with Howard O. Bernstein, P.C. during a complex and emotionally charged Business dispute, and the outcome exceeded my expectations.

Howard’s strength is his pragmatic command of the law and his ability to move a case forward efficiently. He focused on leverage, timing, and real-world outcomes rather than unnecessary posturing. His approach was disciplined, strategic, and clear-eyed, which helped drive the matter toward a resolution that was more than I expected and ultimately sufficient for both sides. This case could have dragged on unnecessarily, but Howard consistently kept it moving with purpose.

This team’s combined professionalism and execution are the reason we reached a fair and effective conclusion. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for results, focused, legal representation.

★★★★★ Howard Bernstein and his firm truly changed my life for the better. His professionalism, negotiation skills, and expertise navigated me in a way I couldn’t have done on my own.

  • American Association of Attorney-CPAs
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Boulder County Bar Association
  • California Society of CPAs
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA)
  • Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
  • Past Co-Chair, Bench/Bar Committee, Boulder County Bar
  • Past Co-Chair, Business Law Section, Boulder County Bar
  • Past President, American Academy of Attorney-CPAs
  • “International Business Transactions” chapter in The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Business Organizations, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., 2006, updated bi-annually
  • “Colorado’s New Limited Liability Entities,” Boulder County Bar Newsletter, Vol. 18, Issue 5 (November 1995)
  • Regular guest lecturer in the Entrepreneurship Program of the University of Colorado’s College of Music
  • “International Taxation in Colorado,” NBI, 1998
  • “Employee vs. Independent Contractor,” Lorman, 2004
  • “Keeping on Track: Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas and Malpractice,” NBI, 2005
  • “Creating Comprehensive Employee Handbooks,” NBI, 2006
  • “Ethics: They Also Apply to Law Office Management,” NBI, 2007
  • “Employment Laws Made Simple,” NBI, 2008
  • “Asset-Based Deals,” Boulder County Bar Association, 2008
  • “Small Office Management for the Legal Professional,” NBI, 2008
  • “Who is an Employee?” Boulder County Bar Association, 2008
  • “Workplace Commission,” AAA-CPA, 2011
  • “Social Media in the Workplace,” Boulder County Bar Association, 2011
  • “Tax Considerations in Settlement Agreements,” Boulder County Bar Association, 2013
  • “Choosing the Right Entity for Doing Business Abroad,” Colorado Bar Association, 2013
  • “Advising Businesses Going International,” Colorado Business Law Institute, Colorado Bar Association, 2013
  • Moderator, “International Commercial Transactions,” Colorado Bar Association, 2013
  • “Illuminating Inversions,” AAA-CPA, 2015
  • “Gender Identity in the Workplace,” Boulder County Bar Association, 2015
  • “Workplace Commission: Independent Contractor vs. Employee,” AAA-CPA, 2016
  • “Tax Treatment of Client Settlements,” Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA), 2017
  • “Tax Consequences of Settlements and Jury Verdicts,” Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA), 2019
  • “Settlements Agreement Best Practices,” Faculty of Federal Advocates, 2025
  • “Tax Issues to Consider When Settling Employment Claims,” PELA, 2026

Howard O. Bernstein is Of Counsel with Frascona, Joiner, Goodman and Greenstein, P.C., a Colorado law firm. His practice areas include Tax Consulting, Tax Contraversy Services, Business Law, Corporations, Securities, Landlord/Tenant Disputes, and Employment Law. Contact Howard O. Bernstein.

Disclaimer — Content is general information only. Information is not provided as advice for a specific matter, nor does its publication create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary from one state to another. For legal advice on a specific matter, consult an attorney.