Taxation

Dudnick Detwiler Rivin & Stikker LLP's tax practice complements the firm's business, real estate, and estate planning practices. The scope of practice spans federal, state, local and international taxation issues. We are guided by the philosophy that taxation matters are an integral part of almost every business transaction and that taxation advice or counseling should be considered in arriving at the legal solution of any problem or in structuring any business transaction. The principal focus of the tax practice is to assist clients in structuring businesses and planning transactions in the most tax-favored manner possible. Particular emphasis is placed on structuring of "pass-through" entities, including partnerships, joint ventures, S Corporations and trusts, to minimize tax burdens. The principal tax attorney is Jeffrey B. Detwiler. Thomas J. Stikker is a recognized expert in estate and gift taxation and in income tax planning for high net worth individuals.

Compensation planning constitutes a substantial area of practice, both for incorporated and unincorporated businesses, particularly with respect to issues involving deferred compensation and equity-based compensation vehicles such as stock options, restricted stock, promotional interests and contingent equity. Other significant practice areas include real estate tax matters such as planning like-kind exchanges and structuring real estate partnerships for both developers and investors; formation and counseling of tax-exempt entities including private foundations and charities; as well as the entire range of transactional tax planning.

The firm represents clients in tax controversies before state and federal authorities, at the audit level, in administrative proceedings before the Franchise Tax Board, State Board of Equalization and IRS Appeals Office as well as in the state and federal courts. The firm's international clients receive counseling in optimal structuring of inbound and outbound investments, and structuring foreign subsidiaries and business entities. The firm also provides sophisticated tax counsel in the area of workouts, bankruptcies and problems of distressed companies in order to preserve valuable net operating losses and other tax benefits.

Other practice areas:

Business Law
Real Estate
Taxation
Trusts & Estates
Commerical Litigation