Senior ATS

Senior Level Associate - Corporate/Business Tax Strategy Attorney - Advanced Tax Strategies (ATS)

Goodspeed|Merrill has an opportunity for a senior level attorney desiring greater exposure to advanced planning solutions and strategies for successful entrepreneurs, high-income earners, and ultra-high net worth families and individuals.

This position is a key role within the ATS team and is best suited for candidate who thrives in a team and client management intensive role. A successful candidate will be able to effectively motivate, influence and direct team members to timely complete and implement documentation for designated strategies, which will require a firm grasp of complex tax strategies. Further, this ATS team member will be expected to manage key relationships with clients and other attorneys across practice groups at Goodspeed Merrill, as well as other strategic counsel relationships. The strategies frequently contemplated in ATS planning, include tax-free mergers and acquisitions, tiered entity structures using a variety of entity types, corporate conversions, complex partnership agreements (including profits interests), Section 1202 Qualified Small Business Stock planning and optimization, and a variety of other operating efficiency and exit planning structures. This position also requires strong interpersonal skills ability to mentor more junior attorneys and staff within the ATS group.

The ATS group is structured as a collaborative team-oriented environment built on a hybrid/virtual work platform. The ATS group is dedicated to providing support and training by other experience attorneys and partners to help increase the depth of understanding and familiarity necessary to confidently execute complex projects in order to best serve clients. This effort includes regular team coordination and one-on-one time with senior attorneys and partners intended to provide needed answers to questions and general instruction about projects. An ongoing commitment to learning and mastery of the concepts is expected and will create opportunities for advancement. Extensive responsibility for client interaction and coordination will be expected to help in the design and implementation process and where necessary to explain plan components to clients or explain how various parts of the plan integrate to support the desired outcome. The long-term outlook for this position is to serve as a principal relationship management role for the ATS group to ensure client satisfaction and develop and recognize opportunities to deepen the firm's engagement with the client.

As part of our application process, please cut and paste this link to complete a survey (takes approximately - 5 - 10 minutes):

https://go.cultureindex.com/p/qc3hu6ce0v3zi

ATS Group Projects and Tasks will frequently involve (not all will be applicable to this position):

• Tiered corporate and partnership structures
• Corporate qualified small business stock structures (QSBS), including design and implementation, as well as eligibility 'opinions'/memos
• Tax efficiency structures for operating businesses, including for succession planning
• Wealth transfer planning using inter-vivos trusts, gifting, and estate freeze techniques
• Tax Equity transactions which provide offsets for taxable income
• Enhanced risk management strategies, including captive insurance
• Profits interests structures (using Partnerships)
• Family Office Structures
• General business counsel, including mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, contracts, and non-qualified compensation or equity incentives (including support to Corporate practice group)
• 'Tax Free' Reorganizations

The best candidate for this role will be a person who:

• Demonstrates excellent internal and client communication skills, essential for effective team collaboration and client interaction, and thrives in a relationship management role.
• Exhibits a proactive approach to managing multiple projects simultaneously, showcasing the ability to prioritize tasks without external/persistent reminders, subject to occasional task re-prioritization.
• Ability to establish strong and enduring rapport with clients
• Ability to articulate planning concepts clearly, ensuring effective communication throughout project execution.
• Possesses proficient skills in creating checklists, assembling and motivating teams, delegating and overseeing accurate and efficient completion of tasks.
• Attention to detail with a view towards efficient and thorough completion of projects.
• Ability to break down complex tasks into manageable steps while maintaining overall integrity completion timeline and design goals.
• Possesses sufficient technical knowledge to understand the rationale behind the structure of finalized plans.
• Demonstrates the ability to comprehend and direct/oversee documentation of all necessary micro-steps for project completion.
• Organizes team efforts effectively, ensuring tasks are executed as needed within the role.
• Takes initiative in coordinating group efforts, encouraging participation and ensuring everyone feels valued and included
• Projects professionalism in appearance and demeanor (including 'zoom' presence).
• Prefers face-to-face (including Zoom/Teams) discussions when necessary to ensure speed of execution, but employs appropriate reliance on emails to provide clear written benchmarking of expectations. Comfortable in engaging in live conversations that facilitate deeper understanding and connection.
• Articulates ideas and instructions clearly, but with brevity, ensuring everyone is on the same page with appropriate understanding of direction.
• The ideal candidate will bring enthusiasm and intensity to group settings, boosting team morale and fostering collaboration

Requirements & Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited university
• LLM strongly preferred (equivalent considered)
• Eight or more years Post JD/Active Practice
• Five or more years Post LLM (if applicable)

Goodspeed|Merrill is a dynamic and rapidly growing law firm committed to providing top-tier legal services to our diverse and affluent client base. With a focus on excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction, we take pride in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that provides opportunity for growth and success at every level. Goodspeed|Merrill is where passion meets excellence. We seek team members who are passionate about their clients, coworkers, and field of work.

To work with G|M you should appreciate:

• A client-first mindset and willingness to put in extra effort as client priorities dictate

• A culture of high achievement while enjoying the work and the people with whom you work

• Flexibility in how we operate, intended to accommodate a growing and dynamic law firm environment

Benefits and Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $150,000-$170,000 depending on experience.

We have a dynamic bonus program.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (premium partially paid by GM)

• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

• 401(k) Plan

• Paid Time Off

• Colorado Bar dues and CLEs

Goodspeed|Merrill principal office are located near Lincoln and I-25 in the Meridian Business Park (position is remote/hybrid eligible)