James Schmidt, Esq.

James A. Schmidt, Esq., practices in the areas of business, tax and real estate law, representing individuals, companies, lenders and investors in their transactional matters. Before practicing law Mr. Schmidt worked as a Certified Public Accountant for eight years in both the audit and tax fields, and provided transaction services in public stock and debt offerings. Today, Mr. Schmidt’s practice caters to parties involved in sophisticated transactions that require transactional and tax advice and prefer to receive it from the same counsel.

In his business law practice Mr. Schmidt serves as general counsel to clients on day to day legal matters, assuming primary responsibility for their transactional requirements and serving as a liaison with outside counsel when other needs arise. He frequently represents clients in their business negotiations and in the drafting of agreements for mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, partnerships and joint ventures, asset purchases and sales, leasing, employment, and licensing. This practice also includes the representation of lenders and investors in their lending activities and loan documentation.

Mr. Schmidt’s tax practice complements his business law practice and offers a valuable solution to parties seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and tax consequences of their decisions. He advises U.S. and non-U.S. individuals and entities in a wide range of matters which allow them to conduct their operations in the most tax efficient manner possible. This representation includes voluntary disclosure matters, business planning for structuring tax free reorganizations, advising borrowers and lenders on transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits, rendering tax opinions, and providing a range of advice on federal and state income tax matters. In his compliance practice, he offers a full array of tax form preparation services. He represents clients before tax authorities in controversies, audits, compliance examinations, appeals and protests. His interdisciplinary background provides an advantage to parties desiring ensure compliance with the law while maintaining the highest fidelity to their business objectives.

In Mr. Schmidt’s real estate practice, he represents developers, buyers and sellers in real property development, sales and leasing matters, and well as lenders and borrowers in financing and loan transactions. This practice encompasses commercial and residential property and includes a full range of closing and title insurance services so that his firm provides a comprehensive solution to any party in need of real estate counsel.

While Mr. Schmidt does not solicit litigation representation, he does act as a consultant to parties in disputes related to failed business transactions, formation, and tax matters, and offers written opinions in those engagements.

Mr. Schmidt received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Drexel University’s Leboe College of Business and his Juris Doctor from the Widener University College of Law.

Mr. Schmidt is an active leader in many of the organizations which he belongs to. He previously served as co-chairman of the Small Firm Section and the Tax Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and continues to stay active with that section. He is currently a co-director of the Tax Section of The Florida Bar, and serves on several committees of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Chapter of NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) and previously served as a Director of its Florida organization and on its National Government Affairs Taxation and Finance Sub-Committee. A part of his pro-bono work, he serves as general counsel to Real Estate Lives, Inc., a non-profit entity serving the Tampa Bay area, and as a director to WEDU’s community advisory board.

In his free time Mr. Schmidt enjoys being outdoors, competing in triathlons, and traveling. He has travelled extensively abroad and during law school he studied at the University of Nairobi School of Law.

If you have a matter that you believe would benefit from Mr. Schmidt’s advice or services, he invites you to use the information provided below to contact him for an initial consultation.

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IR Participation: 

James works within the IR Global LATAM group and regularly attends IR events. 

Education:

Widener University, School of Law
Wilmington, DE
Juris Doctor, December 2004

University of Nairobi, School of Law
Nairobi, Kenya
Summer Program
June and July 2004

Drexel University, College of Business Administration
Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science, June 1999
Majors in Accounting and Finance

Licenses:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Certified Public Accountant
License No. CA043157, active from 01/18/02 through 12/31/09

State of Florida
The Florida Bar
License No. 0038835, active from 06/07/2007

Court Admissions:

All State Courts of Florida

Agencies:

Title agent for First American Title Insurance Company
Title agent for Attorneys Title Insurance Fund, Inc.
Title agent Old Republic National Title Insurance Company

Professional Associations:

American Bar Association
2007-2015 Member, Section of Taxation
2007-2015 Member, Section of Business Law
2007-2015 Member, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section
2002-2003 Student Liaison, Section of Taxation, Real Estate Committee

The Florida Bar
2007-2015 Member, Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section,
Commercial Real Estate Committee
2015-2016 Asst. Director, Section Administration
2012-2015 Director, Tax Section, New Tax Lawyers Committee
2007-2015 Member, Tax Section
2007-2013 Member, Young Lawyers Division
2012-2013 Member, Drafting Committee for the Florida Revised LLC
Act

Hillsborough County Bar Association
2011-2015 Co-Chair, Solo and Small Firm Section
2011-2013 Co-Chair, Tax Section
2008-2013 Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division
2007-2013 Member, Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section, Tax
Section, Solo and Small Firm Section
2010-2011 Executive Committee, Leadership Institute
2007-2008 Member, Diversity Committee

National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (“NAIOP”)
2008-2015 Board of Directors, Tampa Bay Chapter
2010-2011 Treasurer, Tampa Bay Chapter
2008-2011, 2013-2015 Board of Directors, Florida Chapter
2013-2015 Secretary, Florida Chapter
2007-2011 Member, National Tax and Finance Committee

Community Involvement:

2014-2015 Chairman and Member, Hillsborough County Government,
Committee of Advisors to the County Law Library

2008-2015 Director and General Counsel to Real Estate Lives, Inc., IRC
Sec. 501(c)(3) organization

2015-2016 Director, WEDU Community Advisory Board

Previous Professional Positions:

2006-2008 Senior Accountant, Regional CPA firm, Tax Department and
Commercial Real Estate Industry Group

2002-2006 Principal and Shareholder, CPA firm, Tax and
Accounting Services

2000-2002 Staff Accountant, National CPA firm, Audit Department

1999-2000 Staff Accountant, Fortune 50 Company corporate
headquarters, Office of Controller

Publications:

Comments to Proposed Regulations from The Florida Bar Tax Section to the Internal Revenue Service on Innocent Spouse Relief, October 31, 2013

“Equitable Relief for the Innocent Spouse”, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, January 2013.

“Representing Clients with Adverse Interests”, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, January 2013.

“Summary of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization,
and Job Creation Act of 2010″, Hillsborough County Bar Association
Lawyer Magazine, February 2011.

“Change in Documentary Stamp Tax Law”, Actionline Magazine, The Florida Bar Real Property Probate and Trust Section, September 2009.

“How far does Crescent Miami go?”, Actionline Magazine, The Florida Bar Real Property Probate and Trust Section, June 2009.

“Tax Consequences of Foreclosure and Short Sales”, Greater Tampa
Association of Realtors Bulletin, September 2008.

“The Skinny on Short Sales – Keeping your Clients in the Game”, Greater
Tampa Association of Realtors Bulletin, August 2008.

“A Tribute to Oliver M. Hill”, Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer
Magazine, February 2008.

“Year End Tax Strategies”, CCIM Commercial Investment Real Estate
Magazine, November 2007.

Speaking Engagements:

Challenges in the Transaction Law Practice, September 13, 2014, Cooley Law School, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society

Tax Issues in Immigration Law, May 1, 2014, Hillsborough County Bar Association

Florida’s Revised Limited Liability Company Act, September 12, 2013, Hillsborough County Bar Association

Equitable Relief for the Innocent Spouse under IRC Sec. 6015(f), October 24, 2012, Hillsborough County Bar Association

Trends in Transactions; An Update on Developments in Entity Selection,
January 18, 2012, Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Short Sales and Foreclosure Town Hall Seminar, September 23, 2010,
Hillsborough County Bar Association

How to Start a Law Firm, February 10, 2010, Hillsborough County Bar
Association, Solo and Small Firm Section

Loan Modification and Workout Seminar, January 10, 2010, Hillsborough
County Bar Association

Honors and Distinctions:

2014 Graduate, Tampa Connection

2011-2013 Fellow, Tax Section of the Florida Bar

2009 Developing Leaders Outstanding Service Award NAIOP
Tampa Bay Chapter, Inc.

2009 Graduate, Hillsborough County Bar Association
Leadership Institute

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