Senior Associate/Of Counsel - Advanced Tax Strategy Attorney (ATS)

Goodspeed Merrill•Englewood, CO

About The Position

Goodspeed Merrill is seeking a senior-level transactional tax attorney to join its Advanced Tax Strategies (ATS) group. The role is ideally based in the Southlake area of Dallas, Texas, or in Englewood, Colorado. Remote work may be considered for a candidate with a significant book of business. This attorney will advise, draft, and implement sophisticated tax planning and transactional structures for entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and high-net-worth clients. The work spans corporate and individual wealth planning strategies, including family office structuring. The position is a key leadership role within ATS, with close collaboration across the firm’s corporate and trust and estate practice groups, substantial client-facing responsibility, and independent management of complex matters from initial structuring through final implementation. The position offers an opportunity to help scale the firm’s advanced tax planning platform, participate in regional expansion, shape team structure and hiring, and potentially progress into practice group leadership. Compensation is $170,000–$188,000 depending on experience, with potential quarterly bonuses of 3%–16% of realized revenue. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental benefits; a 401(k) plan; paid time off; and coverage for bar dues and continuing legal education.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
At least 8 years of post-JD tax practice, with significant transactional drafting responsibility.
Deep, substantive transactional tax experience, including hands-on drafting.
Ability to operate independently and with accountability.
Strong communication and relationship-management skills.
Professional presence in client-facing and internal settings.
Calm leadership across complex, multi-party matters.

Nice To Haves

LL.M. in Taxation, or equivalent experience.
Big Four or accounting firm experience involving substantive planning and implementation.
A significant book of business for consideration of a remote arrangement.
Ability to provide a representative deal list and/or drafting sample demonstrating direct, hands-on involvement in advanced transactional tax planning and implementation.

Responsibilities

Direct the strategic design and execution of high-value tax planning initiatives, including tax-free mergers and acquisitions and related restructurings.
Develop multi-tier corporate and partnership structures and draft complex partnership agreements, including agreements involving profits interests.
Conduct Section 1202 QSBS planning and prepare related memoranda.
Handle corporate conversions, reorganizations, and recapitalizations.
Develop advanced plans involving irrevocable trusts, grantor trust strategies, and family entity structuring.
Translate high-level tax planning designs into sequenced implementation plans and ensure strategic alignment and efficient execution across multi-party transactions.
Serve as a primary client contact on advanced tax planning matters and explain complex tax concepts clearly and practically.
Coordinate with clients, internal attorneys, and external advisors; build and maintain long-term client relationships.
Coordinate clients, advisors, and internal teams on the design and implementation of tax strategies.
Oversee team execution and maintain high-performance standards.
Mentor and guide junior and mid-level attorneys and staff.
Maintain productive relationships with external advisors.
Participate in regional expansion initiatives and help shape team structure and hiring decisions.