Senior Associate/Counsel – Advanced Tax Strategy (ATS)

Goodspeed Merrill•Bedford, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Goodspeed Merrill is seeking a senior-level transactional tax attorney to join its Advanced Tax Strategies (ATS) group. The position is designed for an attorney with substantial hands-on experience drafting and implementing sophisticated tax planning and transactional structures for entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and high-net-worth clients. It is a key leadership role involving close collaboration with the firm’s corporate practice group, significant client-facing responsibility, and independent management of complex matters from initial structuring through final implementation. The attorney will direct advanced tax planning and drafting, act as a primary client contact, coordinate clients, advisors, and internal teams, and mentor attorneys and staff. The role also offers the opportunity to help scale the firm’s advanced tax planning platform, participate in regional expansion, shape team structure and hiring, and potentially advance into practice group leadership.

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 with hands-on drafting.
Ability to operate independently 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-4 or accounting firm experience that includes substantive 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, multi-tier corporate and partnership structures, complex partnership agreements including profits interests, Section 1202 QSBS planning and memoranda, and corporate conversions, reorganizations, and recapitalizations.
Translate high-level tax planning designs into sequenced implementation plans.
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 implementation and design 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.

Benefits

Quarterly bonus potential of 3% to 16% of total realized revenue, with no billable hour requirements.
Medical insurance, with the employer paying 75% for employee-only coverage.
Dental insurance, with the employer paying 50% for employee-only coverage.
Vision insurance, with the employer paying 50% for employee-only coverage.
Life insurance, with the employer paying 100% for employee-only coverage.
Short-term disability insurance, with the employer paying 100% for employee-only coverage.
Long-term disability insurance, with the employer paying 100% for employee-only coverage.
Voluntary critical illness, accident, life, and hospital indemnity options.
Attorney Student Loan Support Program providing financial assistance toward student loans.
401(k) plan with employer matching up to 3.5%.
Discretionary paid time off.
Holiday pay for 9 days per year.
State Bar dues and CLEs.
Potential hybrid work arrangement.
Professional growth and advancement opportunities.