How I represent clients at Schwabe
I’m passionate when it comes to all things taxes and offer a unique perspective on tax and estate planning law. Whether assisting businesses or individuals, I guide clients through the labyrinth of federal and state tax regulations, estate and succession planning, business transitions, and trust issues. With a background as a litigator and corporate consultant, I approach each client’s legal issue with the heart of an advocate and the mind of a businessman.
I advise private business owners throughout the entire business lifecycle from formation, operation, and growth, through eventual transition out of the business, whether by sale, reorganization, or liquidation. Tackling all phases of wealth preservation and estate planning, I create customized strategies for the most complex situations. I also represent clients in their dealings with the IRS and state and local taxing authorities, including the Washington Department of Revenue.
I was previously an Adjunct Professor at the University of Washington’s School of Law, teaching in the Masters in Taxation program. I’m also the past Chair of the American Bar Association Real Property Trust and Estate Section’s Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Group, a Past President of the South Puget Sound Estate Planning Council, a Fellow with the American Bar Foundation, and a former City Council Member.
Experience
- Advises family offices and business owners regarding multi-generational estate, business succession, and tax planning.
- Works with families to mitigate tax and business costs resulting from incomplete or ineffective planning post-death and resolve conflicts.
- Worked with successful business owner to establish basic estate planning immediately while creating and implementing a succession plan that is diversifying his estate while providing for the ongoing success of his business.
- Advised business owner to obtain forensic accounting of records and valuation of company prior to going forward with certain management and financing agreements, successfully avoiding costly long-term involvement with predatory partners.
- Advised client regarding tax domicile and residency for income tax purposes, authored opinion letter finding substantial authority for establishment of domicile and residency in Washington, avoiding over $1 Million in Oregon tax.
- Helped taxpayers with federal tax liability of over $1.5 Million reach settlement for $54,000.
Education
- University of Washington, LL.M., Taxation, 2005
- Tulane University, Juris Doctor degree, 1995
- Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Arts degree, General Studies, 1991
Admissions
- Illinois State Courts
- Oregon State Courts
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Washington
- U.S. Tax Courts
Memberships
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section, Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Group
- American Bar Association, Tax Section
- Washington State Bar Association, Tax Section
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trusts Section
- Oregon State Bar Association, Tax Section
- Uniform Laws Commission Study Committee on the Uniform Health Care Decision Act, American Bar Association Liaison
- American Bar Foundation, Member
- Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Member
Additional Events
Estate & Business Succession Planning – Two Sides of the Same Coin, Kitsap Estate Planning Council Annual Meeting
January 30, 2020
Tips for Successful Estate and Succession Planning for Farmers and Ranchers, Washington Dairy Farmers Annual Meeting
December 3, 2019
Estate & Succession Planning, Ties to the Land presentation in conjunction with WSU Forestry Extension
September 28, 2019
Charitable Giving Strategies and Donor Advised Funds, Washington Planned Giving Council Annual Meeting
September 24, 2019
Charitable Giving Techniques in Estate Planning, Kitsap Estate Planning Council Annual Meeting
January 31, 2019
Successful Estate Planning Tips, Washington Cattlemen’s Organization Annual Meeting
November 8, 2018
Ties to the Land: Succession Planning for Landowners
August 11, 2018
Stop Living in a Fantasyland – Special Needs Planning Updates Attorneys Need to Know, American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trusts and Estate Section Spring Symposium
May 10, 2018 Orlando Florida
Construction Value: Avoiding Tax and Legal Missteps for Contractors
September 20, 2017
Services
Community Activities
- University of Washington’s School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2015-2019)
- South Puget Sound Estate Planning Council, Past President
- Tumwater City Council, former member (2013-2014)
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