Summary

Dave advises clients on complex tax issues. He previously chaired Taft’s Tax practice and has received honors from Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ohio Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Leading Lawyers for his work in tax law. He is also a member of Taft’s Distressed Company Task Force, which was created to assist borrower clients in every way during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to navigate discussions with their lenders and in addressing concerns over suppliers and stakeholders.

During his 34-year career, Dave has advised his clients on how to best structure new businesses, joint ventures, acquisitions, sales, mergers, divisions, going private transactions and venture capital funds in ways that ensure favorable tax treatment. He has also garnered substantial experience with structuring real estate organization, financing, sale and other transactions, including tax-free rollover transactions, like-kind exchanges and deferred sales. In the process, he has helped clients structure their organizations and transactions in ways that make them eligible for new market tax credits and other favorable tax benefits. In connection with these matters, he frequently advises clients on choice of entity tax issues and other complex partnership, C-corporation and S-corporation tax issues.

Dave also works with executives and board members on executive compensation tax issues and general federal and state tax matters. Clients have also retained him to represent them in front of the IRS Appeals office and the Board of Revision for business and property tax hearings.

Dave regularly shares his knowledge about tax matters as a speaker and has participated in events such as the Cleveland Tax Institute, NEOACC and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Real Estate Law Institute. He served as chairperson of the 59th Annual Cleveland Tax Institute and served as a panel chair and speaker at the 61st Annual Cleveland Tax Institute in November, 2018. Dave is a member of the American, Ohio and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations.

Dave received his J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center and his B.B.A., with high distinction, from the University of Michigan.

Awards

  • Honoree, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Tax

  • AV Peer Review Rated (Preeminent), Martindale-Hubbell

  • Honoree, Ohio Super Lawyers, Tax Law (2004 – present)

  • Honoree, Best Lawyers in America® (2006 – present)

  • Honoree, Leading Lawyers (2001 – present)

All Service Areas

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center (1986)
  • University of Michigan (1983)

Admissions

  • State - Ohio

Professional Affiliations

  • 61st Annual Cleveland Tax Institute 2018

    Panel Chair and Speaker

  • 59th Annual Cleveland Tax Institute: Chair
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

    Member