Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

David’s work includes planning, compliance, transactions, and civil tax controversies. He is involved in a variety of matters relating to state and federal taxation of corporations, partnerships, individuals, tax exempt entities, and industrial development bonds. He also provides a full range of trust and estate planning services.

  • Developed litigation strategy and participated in the litigation of AT&T v. Collins, in which Fulton County Superior Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals, in a case of first impression, sanctioned the use of the unitary method of apportionment, representing a multimillion dollar state tax savings to AT&T.
  • Served as bond counsel preparing all required bond documents to enable owners of manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and office buildings to obtain significant property tax abatements.
  • Negotiated the value of a closely held business with the District Counsel’s office of the IRS where the liquidation value of the business was far in excess of the going concern value.
  • Designed a creative compensation package permitting the owner of a successful small business to attract and reward qualified personnel while retaining 100 percent ownership in the business.
  • Represented the purchaser and negotiated all tax aspects in a $20+ million stock acquisition, including treating the transaction as an asset purchase for income tax purposes to maximize the purchaser’s tax benefits.
  • Developed tax savings strategies to enable a seller of stock in his closely held company to eliminate approximately $1.5 million of income tax liability.
  • Provided ongoing advice to major private foundations to enable such foundations to maintain compliance with the complex rules and regulations governing these entities.
  • Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine: “Super Lawyer” in Estate Planning & Probate (2004-2021)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Trusts and Estates (2018-2026), Tax Law (2024-2026)
  • Georgia Trend Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Taxes, Estates, and Trusts (2004-2013, 2015, 2020-2022)

David’s work includes planning, compliance, transactions, and civil tax controversies. He is involved in a variety of matters relating to state and federal taxation of corporations, partnerships, individuals, tax exempt entities, and industrial development bonds. He also provides a full range of trust and estate planning services.

  • Developed litigation strategy and participated in the litigation of AT&T v. Collins, in which Fulton County Superior Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals, in a case of first impression, sanctioned the use of the unitary method of apportionment, representing a multimillion dollar state tax savings to AT&T.
  • Served as bond counsel preparing all required bond documents to enable owners of manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and office buildings to obtain significant property tax abatements.
  • Negotiated the value of a closely held business with the District Counsel’s office of the IRS where the liquidation value of the business was far in excess of the going concern value.
  • Designed a creative compensation package permitting the owner of a successful small business to attract and reward qualified personnel while retaining 100 percent ownership in the business.
  • Represented the purchaser and negotiated all tax aspects in a $20+ million stock acquisition, including treating the transaction as an asset purchase for income tax purposes to maximize the purchaser’s tax benefits.
  • Developed tax savings strategies to enable a seller of stock in his closely held company to eliminate approximately $1.5 million of income tax liability.
  • Provided ongoing advice to major private foundations to enable such foundations to maintain compliance with the complex rules and regulations governing these entities.
  • Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine: “Super Lawyer” in Estate Planning & Probate (2004-2021)
  • Best Lawyers in America®: Trusts and Estates (2018-2026), Tax Law (2024-2026)
  • Georgia Trend Magazine: “Legal Elite” in Taxes, Estates, and Trusts (2004-2013, 2015, 2020-2022)

Top areas of focus

  • Licensed Certified Public Accountant (Georgia)
  • State Bar of Georgia (Member, Fiduciary and Taxation Sections)
  • Atlanta Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, Taxation Section)
  • American Bar Association (Member, Section of Taxation)
  • Member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Committee from 2010-2013
  • Sr. Accountant, Arthur Anderson (Atlanta), 1978-1981

Education

  • Emory University School of Law, LL.M., 1990
  • University of Georgia School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1984
  • The Ohio State University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1978

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia