Dean V. Butler, a principal, joined the firm in 2002. He was formerly a shareholder at the Seattle law firm of Stokes Lawrence, P.S. and a member of Foster Pepper, PLLC, also in Seattle. He concentrates his practice in the areas of federal and state taxation, trusts, estates, probate, and estate planning. Mr. Butler counsels individuals, families, and businesses on income tax; estate and gift tax; state tax; transfer, wealth, and successor planning; and business structures. He also handles probate and trust matters, and works with charitable trusts and tax exempt estates. Mr. Butler holds an LL.M. in taxation and is a CPA (inactive). He has been named a Washington Law and Politics' Super Lawyer for each of the years 2001-2007, and a Top 100 Super Lawyer for 2004-2007. In addition, he has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for each of the years 2001-2007, for the speciality of Trusts and Estates. Associations Washington State Bar Association; Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Butler is a member and former chair of the Estate & Gift Tax Committee of the Tax Section of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA). He is a former Executive Committee member of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the WSBA, and former editor of that section's newsletter. Dean is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Other honors include the Chagrin Law Award (highest Law School GPA), 1979; Emery Law Scholarship 1977-1979; Seattle University, Albers School of Business, Leadership and Scholarship Award, 1975-1976; Seattle University President's List (second highest GPA in Business School. Dean was also President of the Seattle University Chapter Beta Gamma Sigma (National Business Honor Fraternity) 1975-1976 and a member of Beta Alpha Psi (National Accounting Fraternity). Education Seattle University, B.A., Accounting, summa cum laude, 1976; University of Santa Clara Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 1979; New York University, LL.M, Taxation, 1980. |