Ross N. Cohen
Ross Cohen represents clients in the areas of taxation and tax planning, wealth-transfer planning, estate planning, asset protection planning, corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. His business practice has involved tax planning for start-up entities and established businesses, executive compensation matters, tax-free reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and representation of clients before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. Mr. Cohen's work has involved clients in a variety of industries, including real estate, banking, healthcare, personnel services and manufacturing, among others. In addition, he is frequently consulted on tax matters involved in public finance transactions, and has been involved in the establishment of nonprofit corporations and charitable organizations.
Mr. Cohen also represents individual clients in personal and family tax and estate planning (including prenuptial agreements, trusts and the like), business succession, the establishment of private foundations and family investment vehicles, and similar matters. He is active in a number of estate planning organizations and holds the Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planning Councils. He is past President of the Birmingham Tax Forum, and currently serves as President and on the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Estate Planning Council. Mr. Cohen is also a member of the Birmingham Business Alliance's Chairman's Circle.
A Certified Public Accountant since 1980, Mr. Cohen practiced for several years with Coopers & Lybrand before joining Haskell Slaughter. He also served for several years as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Alabama School of Law. Mr. Cohen is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Tax Law and Trusts and Estates and was recognized in the Birmingham Business Journal's 2006 and 2007 "Best of the Bar" polls. He is also listed in Alabama Super Lawyers.
Admitted to Practice:
Alabama
University of Alabama (B.S., cum laude, 1975; M.T.A., 1978; J.D., 1978; LL.M., cum laude, Taxation, 1985)
Ross Cohen Responds to Birmingham Business Journal's Bottom Line Question re Estate Planning. Click Here to Read.
Ross Cohen quote in Birmingham Business Journal article, "Bills aim to close public company tax loophole" -- Click Here to View
Ross Cohen quoted in Birmingham Business Journal article, "Surviving a taxing time with a not so kinder, gentler IRS" - Click Here to View
"Key Strategies for Creating Effective Family Business Succession Plans", in Family and Business Succession Planning Strategies (Aspatore Books 2009)
"Gifting - The Quintessential Estate Tax Reduction Technique", 2007
"Flow-Through Entities in Alabama - Transfers of Equity Interests as Compensation for Performance of Services", Lorman Education Services, 2006
"Doing Business in Alabama", in BNA's Corporate Practice Series Portfolio No. 84, Doing Business in States Other Than the State of Incorporation (Bureau of National Affairs 2006) (with Gwen L. Windle)
"New Tax Law Provides New Flexibility for Funding Roth IRAs", Banking Today vol. 3, no. 5 (Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc., 2005)
"Congress Changes Rules on Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation", Banking Today vol. 2, no. 2 (Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc., 2005)
Taxation of Damages, Bimingham Bar Association, March 2009
"JOB CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Opportunities, Danger Zones And Fine Print" UAB Industry Roundtable, 2008 Career Development Workshop, April 19, 2008
"Have You and Your Clients Properly Prepared for the Unexpected" Birmingham Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, 2008
"Marital Agreements in Estate Planning", Fundamentals of Estate Planning, Stering Education Services, 2008
"Overview: Anatomy of a Deal" and "Deal Structure Alternatives" Fundamentals of Acquisition Transactions in Alabama, Lorman Education Services, 2005
"Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts" and "Ethics in Estate Planning" Estate Planning Fundamentals: Mastering the Basics, Sterling Education Services, 2004
"Mergers and Acquisitions" and "Estate Planning for Business Owners and Executives" Selected Topics in Structuring and Operating a Business in Alabama, Lorman Education Services, 2003
"An Overview of the Federal Transfer Tax System" and "Basic and Sophisticated Transfer Tax Techniques" AXA Advisors, 2002
"Limited Liability Companies: An Overview" University of Alabama School of Business, 2002
"Review of Estate Tax Reform and Planning Techniques by Ross N. Cohen", 2009
