Wayne represents clients in business, corporate, succession planning and estate planning matters, with a goal of representing his clients from “cradle to grave,” In fact, many clients say that they’ve never met a lawyer like Wayne. More than just a lawyer. A true old-fashioned counselor and advisor.
In addition to his Juris Doctor, Wayne has a Master of Laws in taxation and is also a CPA, giving him a broad, panoramic view of the wide variety of issues on which he counsels his clients. He generally represents privately-held entities, and his clients span a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, construction and property development, finance, and professional services including accounting and law firms. Wayne strives to develop close working relationships with stakeholders across the organizations he represents, from C-level officers and executives to mid-level managers and frontline employees. He is truly at his best when he’s helping people, regardless of the roles they occupy or the responsibilities they carry.
With extensive experience in corporate tax planning, strategic planning, business succession planning, business organizations, and corporate law, Wayne serves as outside general counsel to various clients focusing on long-term vision and goals. He also assists with their day-to-day legal needs. But his mindset is more like a doctor: “tell me where it hurts, and if I can’t solve your problem, I will find someone who can.” Sometimes this is through consultation with his partners at McShane & Bowie, and sometimes he’ll consult with and bring to bear other professional relationships and resources to deliver the best solution.
Many of Wayne’s business clients also look to him for their individual estate planning, asset protection, and wealth transfer needs. For each, Wayne begins the process by determining the client’s goals, where they want to go with their businesses and estates, and the tax impact and exposure associated with different options.
In addition to his law practice, Wayne serves on the firm’s management team.
Representative Matters
For a large Danish furniture manufacturer looking to enter the U.S. market, Wayne negotiated contracts between the company’s purchasing arm and domestic vendors, helping the client quickly launch its operations in West Michigan.
When the founder and president of a software development company needed help aligning his vision with the aims of his chief financial backers, Wayne brought all of the parties together to collaborate on a strategic plan for expanding the company’s market opportunities and maximizing their investment.
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