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Erik C. Smith
Shareholder

(602) 530-8351erik.smith@gknet.com

Erik focuses his practice in the areas of business transactions and federal tax law. As an attorney and certified public accountant (CPA), Erik provides each of his business and corporate clients with a broad range of expertise throughout its entire lifecycle from its initial formation and organizational structuring to its winding down and dissolution. While Erik’s clients operate in various industries, he has particular expertise in real estate investment and development. Erik also acts as outside counsel to clients on a wide range of corporate governance and general commercial matters.

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Erik C. Smith

In his tax law practice, Erik focuses on all areas of federal tax law, with an emphasis on limited liability companies, partnerships, C and S corporations, real estate specific matters, and civil tax controversy. He provides tax planning, structuring, and documentation for business and individual clients, including joint ventures and tax-exempt organizations.

Prior to joining Gallagher & Kennedy, Erik was a manager in the Washington National Tax Office of Deloitte Tax, LLP, where he specialized in real estate transactions and provided tax planning and guidance in matters involving Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, leasing transactions, sale leasebacks of property, and involuntary conversions of property.

In addition to working at Deloitte, Erik previously worked as an attorney in the Phoenix office of a large regional law firm, where he focused his practice in all areas of commercial real estate, including acquisitions and dispositions, equity and traditional financing, development, and leasing. He also provided general business and organizational planning, structuring, and documentation for a variety of business entities.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Providing organizational and tax planning, structuring, and documentation for business and real estate joint ventures organized as LLCs, LLPs, general and limited partnerships, and general business corporations.
  • Providing organizational and tax planning, structuring, and documentation in connection with Section 1031 like-kind exchanges and investments in Qualified Opportunity Zones.
  • Providing organizational and tax planning, structuring, and documentation for acquisitions, mergers, sales, and restructurings of LLCs, LLPs, general and limited partnerships, and general business corporations.
  • Providing organizational and tax planning, structuring, and documentation for tax-exempt and other non-profit organizations, including Section 501(c)(3) public charities and private foundations.
  • Providing sophisticated tax planning and consulting for business and individual clients.
  • Providing representation of businesses and individuals in civil controversies at audit, appeals, and the United States Tax Court, and in tax collection matters.

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • State Bar of Arizona, Member
  • State Bar of Arizona, Real Property and Tax Law Sections, Member
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member
  • State Bar of Arizona, Tax Law Section Executive Council, Former Member

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Tax Law, 2024-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America® Ones To Watch, Tax Law, 2021-2023

News

  • Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Recognizes 51 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 15, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Recognizes 52 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Recognizes 41 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 18, 2022
  • Gallagher & Kennedy Announces its 2022 Shareholder Class - January 3, 2022
  • RideNow and RumbleOn Merge Under the RideNow Brand - August 31, 2021
  • Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Recognizes 37 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 19, 2021
  • Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 36 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2020
  • Gallagher & Kennedy Expands with Hiring of Four Talented New Attorneys - November 9, 2017

OTHER

Certifications
Certified Public Accountant

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Corporate & Business
  • Tax
  • Sports Law

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Arizona, 2012

Education

  • University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
    J.D., cum laude, 2011
  • University of North Carolina School of Law
    2009
  • University of Arizona
    B.S., Accounting, summa cum laude, 2008

Contact G&K

 

Phoenix
2575 E Camelback Road,
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Phone: (602) 530-8000
Fax: (602) 530-8500
Santa Fe
1239 Paseo De Peralta,
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone: (505) 982-9523
Fax: (505) 983-8160
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