Laura French's
Legal Blog

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University of Alabama LLM Taxation Program
(Added June 4, 2008)

    As a practicing attorney since 1995, my practice has evolved into two primary areas: estate planning, probate and trust administration; and corporate and business law matters. In my corporate practice, I represent businesses ranging from single-owner limited liability companies to multi-shareholder C-corporations. Many clients own their businesses either individually or with family members. As a natural progression of my practice, I have found these individual clients need planning and advice not only for their business endeavors but for their personal affairs as well. Advanced taxation training would augment my client service.

    In other corporate matters, I serve as general counsel to Rockdale Medical Center, Inc. and Snapping Shoals Electric Membership Corporation. My business law practice also includes representation of McDonald’s owner-operators, many of whom are multi-store restaurant owners. The McDonald’s practice encompasses business transactions as well as corporate and estate planning on behalf of the owner-operators. By achieving an LL.M. in Taxation, I would naturally broaden the areas in which I serve these clients.

    In my community, I serve as a regular instructor for the OPEN Program of the Conyers-Rockdale (Georgia) Chamber of Commerce, an entrepreneurial initiative of the Chamber. I am a member of the Board of Directors of Eastminster School, Inc., an independent school, and serve as its general counsel. An LL.M. in Taxation would expand the knowledge and information I am able to use on behalf of the Chamber, local entrepreneurs, and Eastminster School.

    My estate planning and probate practice lends itself to a similarly wide range of issues which must be addressed from the standpoint of a client’s personal wishes, while giving full consideration to the client’s financial and tax situation. Often, the client’s personal desire conflicts with his financial needs. An LL.M. in Taxation will afford me an opportunity to explore additional and ever-changing tax planning mechanisms in order to achieve the best possible client results.

    In all of the practice areas I have described, the additional training and knowledge that will come with an LL.M. in Taxation will greatly enhance my client service. An LL.M. in Taxation will afford an opportunity to develop new areas of client representation and expand my existing practice by allowing me to be more creative in solving client issues and concerns.