Professional Experience
James’ practice focuses primarily on estate planning and administration, taxation, and general business law, including choice of entity, business transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
Estate Planning and Administration
James enjoys working with estate planning clients because he feels that appropriate planning reduces the stress on loved ones during challenging and often unexpected times. He works with clients to establish cohesive estate plans that meet each client’s individual needs and objectives while minimizing the impact of both federal and state estate tax. Among other estate planning tools, James has experience drafting revocable living trusts, credit shelter trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, and generation-skipping trusts.
James works with Trustees and Personal Representatives in administering trusts and estates following the death or incapacity of a family member or loved one. This representation includes providing counsel to fiduciaries in probate court proceedings and advising Trustees regarding the administration and distribution of assets from simple and complex trusts.
His representation often includes preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, IRS Form 709 gift tax returns, as well as other IRS and state tax forms.
Business Law
For business clients, James advises on issues pertaining to business formation, choice of entity, and general corporate governance. He provides advice on tax issues involving business transactions including mergers and acquisitions. James also regularly drafts and analyzes contracts and leases.