972.665.9600

James Atwood

MANAGING PARTNER

James Atwood

MANAGING PARTNER

CONTACT

8150 N. Central Expressway
Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75206

(972) 665-9600
contact@atwoodmccall.com

JAMES ATWOOD, JD, LLM

James takes a creative approach to the estate planning process, helping his clients design a plan that meets their individual goals and needs. These plans include forming trusts that will allow assets to benefit multiple generations, structuring the sale of ownership interests in family owned businesses, creating Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts for families with ultra high networth estates, and developing limited partnerships for estate planning and asset protection for real property interests.

While making the best decisions for the future can be challenging, James takes the time to educate his clients so that they understand the options available and make the choice that is right for them. With this approach, he works collaboratively with clients to develop custom plans to meet their goals and needs. James takes pride in helping his clients work through the planning process so that they protect themselves and their loved ones.

James has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting and taxation from Arizona State University, a doctorate in law from the George Washington University Law School, and a master of laws in taxation from the Georgetown University Law School.

When time permits, James enjoys biking and fly fishing in Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico. He is especially proud of his son, Bryce, and enjoys fishing and traveling with him as much as possible. James has a rambunctious, standard poodle named Riley who likes to travel with the family.

Experience – Representative Matters

  • Structured the sale of ownership interests in family owned businesses to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts for multiple, ultra-high net worth families with estates in excess of $150 million.
  • Structured a multiple high net worth and ultra-high net worth person’s family limited partnerships for estate planning and asset protection for real property interests and family investments.
  • Structured for multiple high net worth and ultra-high net worth families the formation of multiple insurance trusts so that insurance proceeds are not subject to the estate tax and there is liquidity to pay estate taxes for families who own valuable operating companies.
  • Structured multiple private foundations that have or will, in the future, receive up to $1 billion in assets from ultra-high net worth families.
  • Structured multiple profit interests in entities taxed as partnerships to incentivise key employees to continue with the business without being taxed when they receive the interests.
  • Structured multiple operating businesses owned by high net-worth families to separate valuable assets from the liabilities of the operating businesses.

Education & Prior Experience

  • Georgetown University Law School, LL.M. Taxation, 2001
  • George Washington University Law School, JD, 1999
  • Arizona State University, Master of Taxation, 1996
  • Arizona State University, B.S. Accounting, 1995
  • Bracewell, LLP, Tax Associate, 2000-2003

Professional Licenses

  • Member, Texas State Bar
  • Associate Member, Virginia State Bar
  • Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Arkansas