Overview

Melodie “Dee” is a Shareholder in the firm’s Business Transactions and Private Client Services Practice Groups. She consults on the pros and cons of various tax classification elections available at the time of business formations, as well as the tax structuring of business reorganizations. She also advises on tax structuring and consequences of M&A transactions. Her practice includes a variety of business tax issues, including special allocations and complex distribution waterfalls contained in operating agreements, gain exclusion and deferral mechanisms, sales and use tax, and the tax treatment of various non-qualified deferred compensation plans. In addition, Dee provides estate planning advice to clients with business interests, consults on litigation matters concerning tax questions and implications, and prepares various business agreements.

Honors and Distinctions

  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Tax, 2022-2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Business Organizations (including LLCs & Partnerships), Tax Law, 2022-2025
  • Tampa Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2021, 2023-2024
  • David Gergen Award for Leadership and Professionalism
  • North Carolina State Bar Pro Bono Service Award

Professional Involvement

  • Community Law Program
    • Board of Trustees, 2023-current
    • Vice President, 2024-current
  • St. Petersburg Bar Foundation
    • Board of Trustees, 2018-2023
    • President, 2021-2022
    • President Elect, 2020-2021
    • Board Treasurer 2019-2020
  • The Florida Bar
    • Tax Section
  • North Carolina Bar

Community Involvement

  • Leadership St. Pete, Class of 2017
  • Leadership St. Pete, Planning Committee 2020
  • Cetera, Inc., Co-Founder and Board Chair
  • Guardian Ad Litem, advocate for youth in foster care

Thought Leadership

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