Firm News
Robb Longman Elected Assistant Secretary of ABA Tax Section
Longman & Van Grack is proud to announce that our attorney, Robb Longman, has been elected Assistant Secretary of the American Bar Association ("ABA")'s Section of Taxation this afternoon. Previously, Mr. Longman, who is the Chair of the Firm's Tax Practice, has been the Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association's Taxation Section and Vice-Chair of the ABA Section of Taxation's Closely Held Businesses Committee. In this position as Assistant Secretary, Mr. Longman will assist the ABA Section of Taxation in its mission is to serve its members and the public by providing education about taxes and tax systems, and by providing leadership to support the development of an equitable, efficient and workable tax system. The ABA Section of Taxation is a global leader in tax providing professional development to members, technical and legislative comments to government, and pro bono resources for the underserved. Robb Longman, and each tax attorney at Longman & Van Grack, regularly addresses tax matters for every type of legal tax matter. You can meet with our firm’s Maryland tax attorneys at our offices are in Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia. Call Mr. Longman, or one of our other tax attorneys at (301) 291-5027 today.
US Coast Guard Rule Could Result in Potomac River Closures
On July 10, 2017, the United States Coast Guard published an Interim Rule in the Federal Register [82 FR 31719] which -- as of the publication date, July 10, 2017 -- allows the Coast Guard to close an approximately two-mile long section of the Potomac River adjacent to Riley’s Lock, Violette’s Lock, and Trump National Golf Club. While this is not a final rule, this Interim Rule regarding Potomac River closures was made effective "without notice" according to Coast Guard. The Potomac River section which is included in the Interim Rule is the entirety of the Potomac River from Violette’s Lock (the beginning of the Seneca Breaks) to the southern edge of Sharpshin Island. The stated purpose of the Interim Rule is for protection of the President and other high ranking officials when playing golf at Trump National Golf Club. Longman & Van Grack Attorney Adam Van Grack currently represents multiple recreation businesses and nonprofits that are impacted by the U.S. Coast Guard's Interim Rule closing the Potomac River. Mr. Van Grack, who regularly represents companies and land owners on river rights and river access legal issues, has been asked by these Potomac-River-based companies to interpret the Interim Rule and provide the companies with advice regarding how best to proceed legally. The Interim Rule specifically "prohibits vessels and people from entering the security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to depart the security zone." The Coast Guard’s Interim Rule has been posted in the Federal Register, and while it is currently in effect on an interim basis, the Coast Guard is accepting public comments until August 9, 2017 on establishing a final rule which could allow the Coast Guard to prohibit all access to this section of the Potomac River by amending the Code of…
Tax-Encumbered Business Article Authored by Longman & Van Grack Attorney Published by BNA Bloomberg
Recently, BNA Bloomberg published its Tax Management Memorandum which included an article titled "Buying and Selling Tax-Encumbered Businesses" authored by Longman & Van Grack attorney Robb Longman. The article discusses how when a party is purchasing a business, it is important for the party to determine whether the business has unsatisfied tax liabilities. The article discusses techniques for identifying and addressing tax liabilities that preexist a sale. Robb Longman also regularly has provided CLE legal presentations on the subject of buying and selling tax-encumbered businesses As described by Mr. Longman in the BNA Bloomberg article, typically, in either an asset sale or a stock sale (including a sale of LLC membership interests or partnership interests), the agreement to purchase the business contains significant representations concerning the business’s compliance with any and all tax responsibilities. These tax-related representations can include: (1) the legal representation that the business has filed all required tax returns; (2) the legal representation that all filed tax returns are complete and correct; (3) the legal representation that all taxes due for periods covered by any tax return have been paid and/or disclosed; and (4) the legal representation that the business has withheld or collected and paid to the taxing authority all taxes required to be withheld, collected, or paid by it. Robb Longman and Longman & Van Grack’s business law attorneys regularly represent clients in many different types business transactions and business agreements in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Our attorneys are also familiar with all of the tax related concerns involved in the buying and selling of all types of businesses, whether tax encumbered or non tax encumbered. Robb Longman, who has been the Chair of the Maryland Bar Association Tax Section and elected to leadership roles in the Tax Section of the American Bar Association, has assisted many clients through the…
Longman & Van Grack Attorney Quoted in Outside Magazine
In a kayaking-related legal article published yesterday in Outside Magazine, Longman & Van Grack attorney Adam Van Grack was quoted regarding the unusual kayaking-related legal case involving Latvian émigré Angelika Graswald. In the article, Adam described the importance of the potential kayak-based expert testimony that will almost certainly be critical in the ultimate disposition of this kayaking legal dispute. Adam Van Grack has served as an expert witness in prior legal matters, and Adam told Outside Magazine that to determine whether either side's legal theories were true, the fact finder at the trial would almost certainly be heavily relying on expert opinions regarding kayaking, kayaks, and safety practices. As described by Outside Magazine, this unusual kayaking legal dispute involves disagreement over the facts related a fatal kayaking accident in 2015 on the Hudson River. On April 19, 2015, Vincent Viafore slipped from his kayak into the freezing waters of the Hudson River. Vincent was kayaking a "Future Beach 124" which Outside Magazine described as a "cheap box-store kayak." Angelika Graswald was kayaking with Vincent, and the question in the kayaking legal dispute centers around whether Angelika’s removal of the drain-plug in Vincent’s kayak (possibly weeks prior to the excursion) was either a cause of Vincent’s accident or a premeditated act to cause harm to Vincent. The trial begins on March 13, 2017. Longman & Van Grack's litigation attorneys are extremely familiar with the legal process and legal ramifications in complex litigation through the firm's Civil Litigation Practice. Additionally, our attorney's regularly advises clients regarding sports and recreation legal issues within our Sports and Recreation Law Practice as well as our Civil Litigation Practice. In fact, Longman & Van Grack attorney Adam Van Grack has not only been involved in sports-related legal matters, but has also been a member of the boards of several sports safety and Olympic training nonprofits. Call…
Longman & Van Grack to Make Business Law Presentation to the Rockville Chamber of Commerce
Next week, on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, attorneys from Longman & Van Grack will be hosting a Good Morning Rockville Event for the Rockville Chamber of Commerce titled: "Top 10 Legal Pitfalls for Businesses." Attorneys Robb Longman and Adam Van Grack will discuss many different legal aspects that businesses should be addressing and should be aware of in order to ensure their success and avoid legal problems. Among the issues that Mr. Longman and Mr. Van Grack will discuss for the Rockville Chamber of Commerce are the following: contracts, legal agreements, filing compliance, avoiding different types of lawsuits, corporate protection, employment agreements, employee manuals, releases given and received, record preservation, and bylaw compliance. Mr. Longman and Mr. Van Grack will also end the presentation with a question and answer session on business law concerns. Register for this Business Legal Event through the Rockville Chamber of Commerce HERE. Mr. Longman and Mr. Van Grack are the Managing Members of the Rockville-based and Bethesda-based business law firm of Longman & Van Grack. The attorneys at Longman & Van Grack regularly advise many different types companies and entrepreneurs on a broad range of corporate law, business law, and general counsel related services primarily throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia. The Firm regularly advises business owners, entrepreneurs, and managers on business law, contracts, tax issues, litigation, legal agreements, purchase agreements, real estate matters, employment concerns, start-up assistance, entity formation, and other legal matters. The Rockville Chamber of Commerce is an integral part of Rockville's past and is helping to shape its future. The Chamber serve as the voice of the thousands of businesses that proudly call Rockville their home. Longman & Van Grack has been a member of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce since 2014.
Longman & Van Grack Attorney Presenting at the ABA Tax Section 2017 Meeting
Beginning today through this weekend, Longman & Van Grack Tax Attorney Robb Longman will be presenting at multiple Programs at the American Bar Association (ABA)'s Section of Taxation to the 2017 Midyear Meeting in Orlando Florida. First, Robb will be a Panelist on the program titled "Selling and Buying the Dreaded Tax Embroiled Business." This business tax panel will discuss what buyers and sellers need to be aware of when purchasing a business that is not in compliance with its taxes. On the panel, Robb will discuss who must be notified, what actions can be taken to remove tax liens, what tax liens attach too and other necessary information and cautions for buyers and sellers. Second, Robb will be a Panelist on the program titled "Buy-Sell Agreements for Closely Held Businesses." This business law panel will review practical issues and tax considerations when assisting clients with succession planning and putting a buy-sell agreement in pace for closely held business owners. As part of this panel, Robb will also review valuation issues and funding mechanisms for practitioners to consider Robb Longman’s background in tax law and business law provides him with the ability to advise his clients not just on the corporate matters but the tax effects of those matters as well. In fact, Robb is not only the head of our Firm’s Tax Practice, he is also the former Chair of Maryland State Bar Association’s Tax Section. Robb regularly works with his business and individual clients to devise strategies to help them minimize their taxes in their business transactions and personal concerns.
Longman & Van Grack Welcomes Julian Haffner as Of Counsel
We are proud to announce a new addition to Longman & Van Grack's business law, business litigation, employment law, sports law, and government relations practices in Maryland. Maryland business attorney Julian A. Haffner has joined Longman & Van Grack as Of Counsel. “Julian brings an extremely unique and unparalleled business law experience to the firm, and we are thrilled to have such a highly-respected attorney join us,” says Managing Member Adam Van Grack. With over a decade of experience in business law, employment law corporate law, and government relations, Julian has worked with a wide range of businesses and individuals to successfully address his client's complex legal problems. Julian says that “We live in an increasingly complex business and political environment. I believe that my knowledge and unique professional experience coupled with Longman & Van Grack's professional acumen will enable our clients to grow and prosper, and I am excited by the possibilities.” Specifically, Julian assists clients with forming business entities, structuring transactions, providing advice on compliance with employment law concerns, addressing commercial litigation disputes, and addressing aspects of intellectual property. Julian acts as a strategic partner for a wide spectrum of corporate and business clients, ranging from single-employee consultants to professional athletes in the NBA and NFL, to companies with hundreds of employees. In fact, Julian is the past Chairman of the Maryland State Bar Association's Entertainment and Sports Law Section. "Longman & Van Grack's focus on building a law firm for the 21st century resonates with me. The firm's focus on optimizing the client experience is particularly attractive and sets the firm apart from other firms operating in the same space" -Julian Haffner Julian also has significant insight to the legislative process in Maryland as he currently serves as a member of the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee, a Board Member of the Democratic Business Council of Maryland, and the Vice President of the African…
Longman & Van Grack Sponsors the 2016 Potomac River Festival and Great Falls Race
The law firm of Longman & Van Grack is proud to be one of the sponsors of the 2016 Potomac River Festival and Great Falls Race on September 10th and 11th. Featuring hundreds of paddlers and many events, the Potomac River Festival is one of the premier river and whitewater sports events in the United States. As a law firm that regularly interacts with the paddling and outdoors community through our Recreation Law Group, we are thrilled to be able to support the community. The Potomac River Festival’s most dramatic and well-known event is the annual Great Falls Race. This downriver race is a daring, adrenaline-packed descent of 60 vertical feet through the Potomac River’s spectacular Class V+ Great Falls. This year's event can be best viewed from the Maryland Side of Great Falls National Park. The event will feature a Slalom Race through Great Falls as well as a classic extreme downriver race down Great Falls. Watch the top kayakers and canoeist from around the World dash down Great Falls and compete for the Great Falls Race trophy on Saturday morning. The Potomac River Festival will feature a festival party on Saturday evening and a downriver race through Little Falls of the Potomac River on Sunday. To learn more about the event and viewing the Great Falls Race, go to the 2016 Potomac River Festival’s website. We are proud to be a sponsor for this spectacular event.
Daily Record Profiles Attorney Adam Van Grack for Role in Olympic Sports
In Monday's edition, the Daily Record published an article profiling Longman & Van Grack Attorney Adam Van Grack for his efforts and roles regarding canoe and kayak Olympic sports. The article titled "Rockville Lawyer Makes a Splash for Olympians" discusses how Mr. Van Grack is both an attorney at Longman & Van Grack and Chairman of USA Canoe/Kayak, the National Governing Body for all canoe and kayak sports for the United States through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Daily Record article notes that "The civil litigator is an avid canoe sportsman and interim chairman of U.S. Canoe and Kayak, the sports’ national governing body, in addition to his day job at Longman & Van Grack LLC in Rockville." The Daily Record also explains that "When [Adam Van Grack is] not helping clients, he is making sure Olympic canoe and kayak athletes have funding and proper training facilities and also helps review their contracts, among other needs." At Longman & Van Grack, Mr. Van Grack also represents athletes and Olympians in a vast array of legal concerns. The Daily Record according notes that Longman & Van Grack "has represented Olympians not only in canoe and kayak, but also in speedskating, swimming, gymnastics, and basketball." Mr. Van Grack is proud to be able to help Olympic hopeful athletes and Olympians through his role at USA Canoe/Kayak. Mr. Van Grack has been working with canoe and kayak athletes for the past 12 years. Joe Jacobi, 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and CEO of USA Canoe/Kayak from 2009 to 2014, told the Daily Record: “To ultimately help people access outdoors more safely, more responsibly – that is a unique set of skills and experiences that Adam brings to U.S. Canoe and Kayak that another attorney wouldn’t bring.” The article notes that "When [Adam Van Grack is] not helping clients, he is making sure Olympic canoe…
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