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    Todd Denison photograph

    Todd L. Denison

    Partner

    Mobile
    251-441-8206
    todd.denison@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Trusts and Estates/Estate PlanningEmployee Benefits/Executive CompensationTax

    Todd Denison focuses his practice on business and tax law. He counsels corporate and individual clients in various facets of their business operations, including:

      • Corporations and partnerships
      • Employee stock ownership plans (ESOP)
      • General tax advices
      • Trust and Estates/Estate Planning

    In his nationwide ESOP practice, Todd guides closely held companies throughout the entire transaction process, including conducting feasibility studies to determine whether an ESOP plan is appropriate. When ESOP is the right option for a closely held company, Todd drafts the required documents and develops a plan for each business’ unique scenario. He also represents banks and financial institutions in ESOP transactions, ensuring all financial contingencies are met. Todd works alongside employee benefits and executive compensation counsel throughout the ESOP transaction process to develop a comprehensive retirement plan that suits the business and its employees needs.

    Todd has extensive experience developing sophisticated trust and estate plans for high net worth individuals, helping to transfer wealth to beneficiaries through tax-efficient methods. He understands the intricacies of public policies and tax codes and helps steer his clients through each unique scenario.

    Before beginning his legal career, Todd served in the U.S. Army from 1986-1990, attaining the rank of Captain, and was posted in the Federal Republic of Germany.

    Todd has extensive experience developing sophisticated trust and estate plans for high net worth individuals, helping to transfer wealth to beneficiaries through tax-efficient methods. He understands the intricacies of public policies and tax codes and helps steer his clients through each unique scenario.

    Before beginning his legal career, Todd served in the U.S. Army from 1986-1990, attaining the rank of Captain, and was posted in the Federal Republic of Germany.

    Experience

    • Advised a leading advertising and communications firm with offices across three states in the transfer of ownership to its employees through an employee stock ownership plan.
    • Counseled growing closely held engineering company in its business succession via an ESOP transaction.
    • Represented an investor client in the acquisition of a Caribbean resort interest.
    • Represented ESOP trustees in several transactions involving the acquisition of employer securities by an ESOP.
    • Served as ESOP counsel to a fire-suppression engineering firm in its sale to a strategic buyer.
    • Represented sellers in the sale of a local grocery store business.
    • Represented sellers in the sale of a local grocery store business.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • June 18, 2024

      U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Business Valuation in Estate Tax Calculations for Closely Held Corporations…

    More +
    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • March 8, 2021

      Employee Retention Tax Credit Expands to Help More Businesses…

    • April 3, 2020

      Breaking Down the Tax Provisions in the CARES Act…

    • March 27, 2020

      Breaking Down the Record $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Act…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2019-2025), Tax Law (2018-2025), Trusts and Estates (2018-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2010-2014)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2019-2025), Tax Law (2018-2025), Trusts and Estates (2018-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2010-2014)

    Education

    • New York University School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2004
    • University of Montana School of Law, J.D., 2003
    • University of Montana, M.A., 1993
    • University of Montana, B.A., 1986
    • New York University School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2004
    • University of Montana School of Law, J.D., 2003
    • University of Montana, M.A., 1993
    • University of Montana, B.A., 1986

    Credentials

    • Alabama
    • Montana
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
    • U.S. Tax Court
    • Alabama
    • Montana
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
    • U.S. Tax Court

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

      • Alabama State Bar
      • State Bar of Montana
      • Baldwin Bar Association
      • Alabama Law Institute - Asset Protection Trust Committee (2018)
      • University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, Federal Tax Clinic - President, Board of Directors (2014)
      • Estate Planning Council of Mobile, Inc.
      • The ESOP Association - Legislative and Regulatory Committee Member
      • National Center for Employee Ownership
      • Southeastern Business Law Update – Seminar Planning Committee

    Civic

      • Senior Bowl Committee
      • Lions Club of Mobile - Zone Chair (2019-2020), President (2017-2018), Vice District Governor Alabama District 34C (2022)
      • Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama - Board of Directors – Chairman (2021-2022), Vice Chair Finance and Resource Development (2019-2020)

    Professional

      • Alabama State Bar
      • State Bar of Montana
      • Baldwin Bar Association
      • Alabama Law Institute - Asset Protection Trust Committee (2018)
      • University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, Federal Tax Clinic - President, Board of Directors (2014)
      • Estate Planning Council of Mobile, Inc.
      • The ESOP Association - Legislative and Regulatory Committee Member
      • National Center for Employee Ownership
      • Southeastern Business Law Update – Seminar Planning Committee

    Civic

      • Senior Bowl Committee
      • Lions Club of Mobile - Zone Chair (2019-2020), President (2017-2018), Vice District Governor Alabama District 34C (2022)
      • Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama - Board of Directors – Chairman (2021-2022), Vice Chair Finance and Resource Development (2019-2020)
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Trusts and Estates/Estate Planning
    • Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation
    • Tax
    • Business
    • Tax-Exempt Organizations
    • Transactional Tax
    • Real Estate and Construction
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