BakerHostetler Expands in New York, Announces Addition of Top Private Wealth Partner George McCormick
Key takeaways
- Prominent New York estate and trust planning attorney George McCormick joins BakerHostetler’s New York office as a Partner in the firm’s Tax Practice Group and member of the Private Wealth Planning team.
- McCormick joins from a boutique firm where he co-led the Private Client Practice Group and focused on providing U.S. federal tax, estate and trust planning advice to high net worth individuals and businesses. He also spent five years in Hong Kong practicing U.S. tax law.
- Prior to entering private practice, McCormick worked as a Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Revenue and served as Legislative Counsel to U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., of Texas.
- McCormick joins BakerHostetler’s nationally recognized Tax Practice Group, comprising more than 80 attorneys in offices coast to coast.
Why this matters
With his more than 15 years of experience in tax law and estate planning, both in the U.S. and internationally, McCormick’s arrival further strengthens BakerHostetler’s Tax Practice Group, which is among the nation’s largest and strongest.
Key quote
“George’s more than 15 years of domestic and cross-border tax, estate and trust planning experience, including his practicing for more than five years in Hong Kong, further strengthens our commitment to clients dealing with complex domestic and cross-border tax and estate planning issues,” said Jeff Paravano, chair of BakerHostetler’s Tax Practice Group. “His prior government service and his experience working with an extensive network of attorneys abroad will be an asset to our clients as they navigate complex tax, estate and legacy management issues.”
About McCormick’s practice
McCormick regularly advises clients with general estate planning and more advanced gift and estate planning, including counseling fund principals with gifting fund interests; creating grantor-retained annuity trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts and charitable trusts; and advising on the use of life insurance strategies and structures.
Having previously practiced in Hong Kong for several years, McCormick often advises non-U.S. persons and Americans residing overseas, aiding with trust and succession planning for their American family members that often involves creating foreign grantor trusts and administering nongrantor trusts. He also regularly advises non-U.S. clients with structuring tax-efficient investments in U.S. real estate, funds and other U.S. situs investments as well as tax planning for immigration to the United States.
Prior to entering private practice, McCormick served at the Florida Department of Revenue focusing on Florida tax and administrative matters. He also served as legislative counsel to U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
McCormick received his B.A. from the University of Florida, an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Key quote
“George is well known as one of New York’s top private wealth attorneys, and we are thrilled to have him join our team,” said George Stamboulidis, managing partner of BakerHostetler’s New York office. “With a global practice that aligns seamlessly with our clients’ strategic needs, George will play a crucial role as we meet the growing demand for our market-leading tax work.”