James C. Griggs

Bio

Jim Griggs limits his practice to business sales and acquisitions, corporate and individual tax planning, the organization or dissolution of business entities, transition of ownership in closely-held businesses, and tax representation, including income, estate and property tax matters.

Jim is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbel® and is listed in Best Lawyers In America® (Taxation).   

Practice Areas

Sales and Acquisitions

Jim has represented his clients in all forms of business sales, acquisitions, and tax-free reorganizations. Representative transactions include the following:

• Planning and implementing the sale of a business with assets located in several states with multiple owners for a sales price of approximately $70 million.
• Sale and lease back of multiple real estate facilities to a publicly held REIT for over $20 million.
• Sale of a regional telecom business to a national, publicly held competitor for over $20 million.
• Structuring the organization and ultimate sale of a manufacturing business to a much larger competitor in increments that allowed the original owners to retain control until they were ready to retire from the business.
• Assisting with the sale and purchase of various professional practices, including medical, dental, and accounting practices.

This experience allows Jim to help guide clients through the difficult and critically important stages of their business lives. The common thread which runs throughout these transactions is Jim's expertise in structuring the transactions in a manner which maximizes the after-tax benefits for his clients.

Business Organizations

Jim regularly assists clients in both the organization and unwinding or dissolution of business entities. His experience includes extensive work with the formation, reorganization, and dissolution of corporations, partnerships (limited and general), limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies. The correct choice of a business entity and the best method to change or unwind the formal structure of a business entity are significant decisions with major planning opportunities and risks. Jim's unique tax background and extensive experience with all forms of business entities and the related tax rules allow him to assist his clients in understanding their options and implementing the correct decisions.

Succession Planning

Jim assists clients in planning the transfer of property and business ownership to both family and non-family members. This form of succession planning is often done in conjunction with both estate and retirement planning. Transition planning involves transfers to either family members or key employees. Each type of transfer has its unique challenges.

Tax Law

Jim has represented numerous corporations, associations, tax-exempt organizations, and individuals in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Oregon Department of Revenue. His work in this area includes representation of clients before both the Oregon and Federal Tax Courts, the Federal District Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Jim has assisted clients in obtaining private letter rulings from the Internal Revenue Service to assure them of the tax treatment for specific organizational structures and transactions.

Property Taxation

Jim represents clients in property tax disputes before county assessors, local Boards of Property Tax Appeals, the Department of Revenue, the Oregon Tax Court, and the Oregon State Supreme Court. He has successfully represented clients appealing property tax valuations for, among other things, manufacturing facilities, plywood and veneer mills, chipping facilities, food processing plants, office buildings, and retirement and nursing care facilities.

Education

New York University College of Law
LL.M., Taxation, 1976

Willamette University College of Law
J.D., cum laude, 1975

Willamette University
B.A., 1971

Professional Activities

Jim is a member of the Taxation Section of the Oregon State Bar and he previously served on the Executive Committee of the Taxation Section. He is also a member of the Business Law Section of the Oregon State Bar for which he previously served as a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman. He has served on the faculty of Willamette University College of Law as an adjunct professor where he taught classes on advanced tax planning in business transactions and pension law. Mr. Griggs has served as a lecturer in the areas of taxation, sales and acquisitions, the use of ESOPs, and corporate law at seminars sponsored by the Oregon State Bar, the Oregon Society of CPAs, the National Association of Accountants, Chemeketa Community College, and the Small Business Administration.

Community Activities

• Marion County Bar Professionalism Award, 2010
• Salem First Citizen, 2007
• Salem Hospital Foundation: Board of Directors 2005-Present; President of Board of Directors 2007-2008
• Boys and Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties - Member of the Board of Directors 1992-Present; President of Board of Directors 2002-2003; National Service to Youth Award February 2002 & 2007; Officer of the Year
• Salem Art Association - Member of Board of Directors; President of Board of Directors; Co-Chair of Art Festival
• Salem Schools Foundation - Member or Board of Directors; President of Board of Directors
• Chemeketa Community College Foundation - Member of Board of Trustees (17 years); President of Board of Trustees

Off The Job

Jim enjoys spending time with his growing circle of family and friends. He loves outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, golf and skiing, especially when his wife, adult children, and grandchildren join in the fun.