As a leading business and estate planning lawyer, Doug has been able to assist with some of the most dynamic entrepreneurs and distinctive families in the Rocky Mountain Region.  Trained in national and international large law firms, Doug has experience providing innovative solutions in business structuring, acquisitions, sales and reorganizations.  As a tax lawyer and estate planner, Doug is also sensitive to the issues associated with the creation of exit strategies for the transitions of a business to younger generations, others owners, and employers.  Doug has advised, negotiated, and settled disputes with the IRS as well as between fiduciaries and beneficiaries of estates and trusts.  On the planning side, Doug offers a wealth of knowledge to help solve a client’s most sophisticated business and estate planning issues.  After a death, Doug can help with the complexities associated with the Probate system and the IRS to relieve the loved ones from those burdens and to minimize taxes.

Areas of Experience

Doug’s estate planning and probate activities emphasize estate and income tax planning for individuals and family-owned businesses, including estate freezing techniques, transactions involving trusts and family entities, and representation before estate and income tax authorities.

His practice also includes the formation and representation of tax-exempt charitable organizations and estate planning for charitably-active clients through private foundations and related vehicles.

Doug represents both modest and high net worth families and their privately owned companies in tax and business matters related to entity structuring, mergers and acquisitions, business continuity and succession, incentive compensation, estate planning, and tax controversy.

He has experience with utilizing custom designed wills, trusts, partnership, and private foundation documents to accomplish the integration of wealth transfers, family dynamics, and tax benefits. Mr. Mitchell also provides legal advice on specialized trusts to preserve assets for intended beneficiaries, lifetime directives in the event of incapacity, and integration of retirement plans and life insurance with wealth transfer plans.

Provides advice to companies of all sizes regarding federal and state income tax issues, including tax advice concerning the acquisition and disposition of business entities and assets.

Counsels clients facing audits and represents them in administrative proceedings before the Internal Revenue Service and the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Advises on and prepares partnership agreements and operating agreements for a variety of business concerns.

Provides tax advice concerning the structure and operation of private equity limited partnerships.

Designs and implements plans to transition wealth and ideals to future generations while minimizing impact of gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
Counsels to surviving spouses and children relating to administration of estates and trusts, transition of property to beneficiaries.

Provides counsel on pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
Advises on the administration of charitable trusts, charitable foundations, donor advised funds, and other charitable endeavors.

Represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate and trust administration disputes

Professional & Community Involvement

Mr. Mitchell is a member of many professional associations, including the American Bar Association's Section of Taxation, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Taxation Law Section, Real Estate Law Section, Trust and Estate Section, Business Law Section, and Agricultural and Rural Law Section. Doug is a member of the Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council and volunteers on the Finance Council Pax Christi Church and as a youth soccer coach.

Lectures and Writings

• Co-Author, "Potential Planning Strategies for Monetizing a QTIP Trust," Estate Planning, May 2002
• Estate Planning and Charitable Giving Techniques for Exempt Organizations
• Divorce Tax Issues
• Estate Planning 101
• Choice of Entity in Colorado

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