Withers Worldwide

• Education: University of Connecticut, cum laude, B.S. • University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude, J.D. • Grand Valley State University, Taxation receipient of the "Outstanding Master of Science in Taxation Student" Award, M.S.T.
• Admitted: State of MI, 1998 • State of MN, 2000 • State of NY, 2004 • State of CT, 2004 • Registered Foreign Lawyer in the UK, 2006
• Year joined: 2003
• Year became partner: 2006

Overview

Christopher provides tax and estate planning advice for U.S. and non-U.S. families, their family offices and businesses, as well as US pre-immigration and expatriation planning.  He also provides tax planning on corporate, partnership and international inbound and outbound issues for a wide-range of businesses including publicly traded businesses, closely-held businesses, investment entities and real estate ventures.  Christopher advises fiduciaries on the tax consequences of trust investments and on issues arising during trust administration as well as on the use of financial products.  He represents taxpayers in all matters before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax departments. 

Christopher co-chairs Withers' Family Office special interest group.  He has also been an adjunct professor teaching classes in federal taxation including international tax and business tax.   He is also admitted to practice in the United States Tax Court.

Highlights

Adjunct Professor, Quinnipiac Law School, 2006-Present.

Publications and speaking engagements

• Co-author of "UPDATE: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Passed with Family Office Exemption," Withers Bergman LLP Briefing Notes, July 2010. 
• Co-author of "Full Senate Passes The Restoring American Financial Stability Act - Including Exemption for Family Offices," Withers Bergman LLP Briefing Notes, May 2010. 
• Co-author of "Angel Investors Eligible for Tax Credit," Withers Bergman Briefing Notes, May 2010.
• Featured as "Advisor of the Quarter," deVisscher & Co. Winter 2010 Newsletter. 
• Expert panelist, "Creating a Multi-Family Office Practice," New York, NY, January 2010. 
• Co-author of "Full U.S. House of Representatives Passes The Private Fund Investment Advisers Registration Act of 2009," Withers Bergman Briefing Notes, December 2009.  
• Co-author of "IRS Issues Favorable Guidance on Election to Defer Cancellation of Debt Income on Repurchase of Debt," Withers Bergman LLP Briefing Notes, September 2009.  
• Presenter, "Finding the Silver Lining: Opportunities in a Challenging Economy," presented by Withers Bergman LLP, Greenwich, CT and New York, NY, February/March 2009. 
• Presentation, Edward Jones Professional Education Network, International Tax Practice: "What Every General Tax Practioner Should Know," September 2008. 
• Presentation on "Installment Sales to Defective Trusts, Dispelling the Myths, Spelling Out the Opportunities," presented by Withers Bergman LLP, Connecticut, November and January 2004.
• Co-Author, Chapter 9 "Overview of Tax Issues," Advising Closely Held Businesses in Michigan, published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2000 and supplemented in 2002.
• "Gitlitz v. Commissioner Application of Section 108 to Insolvent S Corporations," Michigan Tax Lawyer, Vol. 27, No. 1, (1st Quarter 2001).
• Presenter, West Michigan Tax Symposium, 2000 “Current Issues in Section 351."
• Presenter, West Michigan Tax Symposium, 2003 "Tax Consequences of Partnership Options."
• Frequent presenter on the American Jobs Creation Act.

On a personal note

Chris enjoys golf in his spare time.