A principal at the firm, Dave serves as managing officer of Gray Plant Mooty. Businesses and individuals call upon Dave with their transactional tax planning and structuring needs. For over 25 years, Dave has worked with clients on numerous tax issues including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, limited liability companies, like-kind exchanges, and tax controversy work. Dave’s focus on his clients’ business goals, his knowledge of the tax laws, and his practical approach to navigating the tax maze allows clients to achieve their goals in the most tax-efficient manner. In addition to tax work, Dave advises closely held businesses on general business issues, including choice of entity issues, drafting organizational documents, and other ongoing business issues.
Experience
- Tax opinion on merger of two public companies in the medical field
- Tax planning and structuring of sale of 60 S corporations in a regulated business using Section 338(h)(10) election
- Tax planning for sale of professional sports team
- Tax planning for purchases and sales of power plants by public utility
- Tax-free division of business between two families
- Like-kind exchange of real estate using qualified intermediary and qualified accommodator
- Corporate restructuring of manufacturing business to concentrate ownership of active shareholder’s business to achieve business and tax goals
- Filing estate tax return and IRS audit of $12 million estate owning stock of closely held corporation
- Handling audit by state of Illinois of large wholesaler on nexus issues
- Tax planning for purchases and sales of telecommunications businesses using limited liability companies
- Sales of stock to employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
Publications
- "Using Individual Long-Term Care Insurance Policies as Part of an Employer Sponsored Plan, ERISA and Tax Implications," The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, coauthor, 2006
- "S Corporations and Life Insurance," American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section, coauthor, 2000
Presentations
- “Tax Issues for Employers,” GPM Employment Law Seminar, April 21, 2010
- “S Corporations and ESOPs,” Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop, January 22, 2009
- "Buying and Selling the Financially Troubled Company," copresenter, Hennepin County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education, November 21, 2008
- “Tax Issues, Traps, and Opportunities in Acquisitions,” Minnesota Business Law Institute
- “Tax Update: Hot Topics in Federal and Minnesota Tax Law,” Minnesota Business Law Institute
- “Key Topics in Mergers and Acquisitions,” Minnesota Business Law Institute
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1982
- University of Iowa, highest distinction, 1979
- CPA certificate from the state of Iowa (inactive)
Bar Admissions
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Tax section, previously on Tax Council
Honors and Distinctions
- “The Best Lawyers in America,” Woodward/White, 2006-2012
- “Super Lawyer®,” Thomson/Reuters, 2001-2011
- “Minnesota's Best Lawyers," Minnesota Monthly, 2009-2010
- Minnesota's Top 40 Business & Commercial Transactions Lawyers,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 2003-2004