Phelps Expands Tax Planning Capabilities With Nashville Partner David Gilinsky
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – [Oct. 29, 2026] – Phelps welcomes David Gilinsky as a partner in the law firm’s growing Nashville office. A transactional tax lawyer with extensive experience inside public companies, he adds value to each deal with practical advice for businesses. From tax planning integral to mergers and acquisitions, inbound and outbound investments and operations and real estate dispositions, Gilinsky strengthens the firm’s ability to support clients in structuring transactions, managing tax risk and pursuing other business endeavors.
“David is a seasoned tax practitioner whose unique combination of in-house tax experience and a Big Four accounting background bring significant value to our clients’ tax planning and compliance strategies,” said Doug Wolford, Phelps’ Nashville office managing partner. “That perspective allows him to understand not only the technical tax issues, but how those issues affect the operational and strategic decisions our clients are making. His arrival is an important part of our continued expansion in Nashville, where we have added experienced lawyers in mergers and acquisitions and real estate to give our clients cohesive middle-market deal support across Tennessee and throughout our platform.”
Since September 2025, Phelps has grown the firm's Nashville office to include a dedicated M&A transaction team offering clients deep experience in complex transactions involving corporate, finance, tax and immigration. These lawyers stand out for their knowledge of the local market and issues driving business at every stage.
Before joining Phelps, Gilinsky served as senior director of tax planning for a publicly traded multinational automotive parts company. He previously was vice president of tax for a global restaurant holding company, where he led tax planning and advised on corporate transactions, financing arrangements and international operations. Gilinsky also served as the lead lawyer for international tax at a publicly traded energy company and worked in international tax roles with two global accounting firms. Across these positions, he advised business leaders on the tax effects of strategic transactions, changing international tax requirements and capital structures.
“Phelps’ platform gives me the opportunity to help clients address tax issues as an integrated part of their business strategy,” Gilinsky said. “I’m excited to join the firm’s growing team here in Nashville. I will work alongside lawyers across the firm to develop practical structures that support clients at each stage of their business cycle with shaping their operations and managing their tax liability.”
Gilinsky served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of captain and deploying in service to the country. He earned his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University.
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Phelps is an AmLaw-ranked firm whose collaborative strategies help clients thrive. We deliver practical, business-minded solutions to clients with interests in admiralty, business, health care, insurance, labor and employment, and litigation. Our more than 475 lawyers work in tandem to share forward-thinking approaches for businesses in the global economy. Phelps’ reputation is rooted in 150 years of legal excellence, and we reimagine it every day from our 18 locations across the Gulf South, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the London Market. Learn more at phelps.com.
