E. Watson Smith
PARALEGAL
Candy Knickerbocker
Phone : (251) 441-9256
cgk@johnstoneadams.com
Related Practices:
Business and Corporate
Health Care
Tax, Trusts and Estate Planning
Education:
LL.M., Taxation, New York University, 1962
LL.B., Duke University, 1965
B.S., Auburn University, 1962
Mr. E. Watson Smith
Watson Smith primarily works with non-profit health care organizations on tax-exemption, tax planning, ERISA, regulatory, transactional and contract matters. He also represents physicians on recruitment, tax and corporate matters. Having spent four years as an in-house general counsel at a large healthcare system, Watson is a savvy advisor for his healthcare clients.
Watson’s experience includes drafting and advising qualified retirement plans (pension, profit sharing and 401(k) and 403(b) plans), cafeteria plans, and other welfare benefit plans. He provides ongoing advice as to the operation and administration of these plans.
Watson also represents individuals on estates and trust matters. He has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Tax and is a former trustee of the American Tax Institute, meaning clients can be assured that Watson is committed to remaining abreast of the latest tax laws and regulations.
Watson is committed to delivering quality legal work on a timely basis to his clients. He operates by the Golden Rule and treats people the way he wants to be treated. His competitive nature keeps him ahead of the game and his non-profit, healthcare, corporate and individual clients appreciate his straightforward manner.
Admissions
1965, Alabama State Bar
Court Admissions
1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
1971, U.S. Supreme Court
1975, U.S. Tax Court
1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
HONORS + AWARDS
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers of America in the field of Tax Law, 1987-present; Health Care Law 1991-2007
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, since 1983
Taxation
- Provides tax advice and planning to a number of business and non-profit corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trusts.
- Provided tax and other legal advice to several local and Southwest Alabama-based foundations, including the formation of foundations, providing advice relating to charitable gifts and donations, and regular advice as counsel to a foundation having assets of approximately $40 million.
- Obtained tax-exempt status for many health care organizations and other institutions.
- Represented taxpayers in tax litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and Federal District Court.
Corporation Law
- Handled a number of mergers and acquisitions including transactions ranging from $20 million to $50 million.
- Advised tax-exempt organizations with respect to the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, including bond issues up to $100 million.
- Served as outside general counsel for a number of local corporations.
Employee Benefits (ERISA)
- Drafts qualified retirement plans (pension, profit-sharing, 401(k) and 403(b) plans), cafeteria plans, and other welfare benefit plans.
- Provides ongoing advice as to the operation and administration of these plans.
- Obtains tax-exempt determination letters for many qualified retirement plans.
Health Care and Hospital Law
- Acts as counsel for a number of hospitals and other healthcare organizations, including serving as in-house general counsel for a large integrated healthcare system.
- Provides ongoing advice in numerous areas relating to hospital and tax law for these healthcare organizations.
- Provided advice in connection with the acquisition of a large number of physician practices.
- Member, Alabama Law Institute
- Member, Alabama State Bar
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, American Health Lawyers Association
- Member, Board of Trustees of the American Institution on Federal
- Taxation, 1977 to 2007
- Member, Mobile County Bar Association