Overview
Steve helps his clients understand and navigate complex tax and business matters to allow them to further their goals.
Steve assists businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations with a variety of business and tax matters.
Steve’s business practice includes business entity formation, governance, ownership transfers, business transactions, tax and compensation planning (including executive compensation matters).
Steve’s tax practice includes advising and assisting businesses, business owners and individuals with a variety of federal, state and local tax matters, including issues relating to choice of entity, tax planning for business transactions (mergers, acquisitions and business sales), worker classification, nexus and residency matters, equity compensation and IRC § 409A issues, IRC § 1031 exchanges and taxation of corporations and partnerships (including LLCs). He typically works closely with his clients’ CPAs and other advisors when undertaking tax planning matters and assisting with tax controversies (i.e., audits and appeals).
He also assists nonprofit organizations (including public charities, private foundations and other tax-exempt organizations) with various corporate governance and tax matters, including assisting with entity formation and applying for tax-exempt status, advising on corporate governance and fiduciary issues, advising on donation and endowment matters, preparing and reviewing contracts, and assisting with federal and state tax compliance matters (including issues relating to tax-exempt status, unrelated business income tax (UBIT) matters and IRC chapter 42 excise taxes).
He is a frequent speaker and author. Prior to pursuing a law degree, Steve worked as an underwriter of life and disability insurance for employee benefit plans. During this time, he also earned his certification as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.
Areas of Focus
Admissions
- Oregon, 2006
- Washington, 2025
- U.S. Tax Court, 2010
Education
- J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2006
- Order of the Coif
- Oregon Law Review, Systems Editor and Managing Board Member
- Fredric R. Merrill Award for Best Student Work
- B.S., Linfield College, Economics (summa cum laude) 1996
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America©
- Business Organizations, 2019-present
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2021-present
- Tax Law, 2021-present
- Rising Star, Oregon Super Lawyers, 2009-2012, 2016
- Notable Newcomer, Exceptional Tax Law Professional, LexisNexis Tax Law Center, 2009
- Legal 500 City Elite
- Portland – Corporate and M&A, 2026
Professional Activities
- Eugene-Springfield Tax Association, Past President
- Oregon State Bar Association, Nonprofit Section, Member
- Oregon State Bar Association, Tax Section, Member
- Newsletter Committee, 2008-2013
- Western Pension & Benefits Conference, Portland Chapter, Member, 2008-present
- Significant Issues Chair, 2014-2016
Community Activities
- Junior Achievement USA, Volunteer, 2018-2019
- Mainspring Portland (fka Fish Emergency Service), Board of Directors, 2007-2015
- St. Rose School, Advisory Council, 2018-2022
News & Insights
Blog Posts
One Big Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Part V – Qualified Small Business Stock Exclusion / Code Section 1202
07.22.25
One Big Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Part IV – The Qualified Business Income Deduction / Code Section 199A
07.17.25
Corporate Transparency Act Mini-Update – The Obvious Exemptions May Not Be So Obvious
02.27.24
Potential Payroll Tax Deferral Is Available – Employers Must Understand the Program and Use Extreme Caution Before Blindly Jumping Into the Deferral Pool
09.01.20
Curiosity Killed the Cat – Unfortunately the Oregon Legislature’s Curiosity Has Not Gone That Far With Respect to Our CAT: The Oregon Corporate Activity Tax
07.14.20
Required Minimum Distributions From Retirement Plans Have Been Waived for 2020 – IRS Notice 2020-51 May Give Taxpayers That Have Already Received Distributions a “Mulligan” If They Act Timely
07.02.20
Taxpayers May Want to Wait to File Their PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications
06.19.20
Let the Good Times Roll – The SBA Issues Interim Final Rules on PPP Loan Forgiveness, Including Guidance on the Payment of Bonuses and Hazard Pay, Loan Prepayments and the Loan Forgiveness Application
05.28.20
More Good News for Oregon Taxpayers – The Oregon Department of Revenue Got It Right
05.07.20
The IRS Has Determined That Taxpayers Who Obtain PPP Loan Forgiveness Cannot Have Their Cake and Eat It Too
05.01.20
A Taxpayer’s Ability to Use Net Operating Losses Was Significantly Restricted by the TCJA, but the CARES Act Temporarily Loosens Things up – The Proper Use of NOLs Could Prove To Be an Important Strategy in Your Game Plan During These Challenging Times
04.16.20
The IRS and Treasury Are Working Overtime to Provide Taxpayers with Joy, Hope and Optimism During These Trying Times
04.13.20
Some Clarity to the Murky: Temporary Rules Relative to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Have Been Issued
04.07.20
The Cavalry Has Arrived – Congress Passed and President Trump Signed Into Law the CARES Act
03.30.20
Important Update: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
03.25.20
Tax Aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
03.24.20
Now You See It – Now You Don’t. Like Magic, the City of Portland Disallows Depreciation Deductions Otherwise Allowable as a Result of Code Section 754
07.11.19
Oregon’s New Corporate Activity Tax
06.04.19
Opportunity Zone Funds – Part I: Overview of the Law
01.07.19
Newly Proposed IRS Regulations Put a Monkey Wrench in Plans by Service Businesses Seeking IRC § 199A Deduction
08.08.18
Out-of-State Sellers, Beware: The U.S. Supreme Court Opens the Door for States to Impose Sales Tax on Out-of-State Sellers Lacking Physical Presence
06.22.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part X: Oregon Disconnects from IRC Section 199A
04.26.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part IX: Impact on M&A Transactions
04.06.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part VIII: Charitable and Tax-Exempt Organizations / Estate and Gift Taxes
03.27.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part VII: Family Matters and Major Events in the Lives of Individuals
03.08.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part VI: Employment and Fringe Benefit Related Provisions
02.27.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part V: Changes to IRC §163(j) and the Business Interest Deduction Rules
02.06.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part IV: The IRC § 199A Deduction for Qualified Business Income—the Devil Is in the Details and the Definitions!
01.29.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part III: IRC § 708 and the Partnership Termination Rules Have Changed
01.22.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part II: IRC § 1031 and Tax Deferred Exchanges Take a Haircut
01.10.18
Decoding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Part I: Obscure Provision in New Tax Law Denies Deductions for Sexual Harassment Settlements Subject to Nondisclosure Agreements
01.04.18
News
18 Foster Garvey Attorneys Named to 2026 Legal 500 City Elite Lists
01.21.26
71 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among the 2026 Best Lawyers in America; Paul Trinchero Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.21.25
65 Foster Garvey Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Three Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.15.24
57 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among the 2024 Best Lawyers in America; Two Portland Attorneys Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.17.23
45 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among The Best Lawyers In America®
08.18.22
38 Attorneys Named 2022 Best Lawyers in America; 11 Named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
08.19.21
43 Attorneys Named 2021 Best Lawyers in America; 10 Named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
08.20.20
50 Foster Garvey Attorneys Named 2020 Best Lawyers in America
08.15.19
Events
“Tax Traps for the Unwary,”American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers CLE Program
05.02.25
“Tax Issues for Artists,” Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) Artist Workshop Series
05.24.22
“What Non-Tax Lawyers Need to Know About the Tax Aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act,” Multnomah Bar Association COVID-19 CLE Series
04.28.20
“Audits of Farming Businesses: ‘Hobby Loss’ Audits and What Taxpayers Can Do to Protect Themselves,” Oregon Farm Bureau Tax Symposium
10.17.19
The Affordable Care Act: Current Issues, Recent Changes, and an Uncertain Future
01.26.17
“Affordable Care Act Update and Issues for Health Care Employers”, Healthcare Financial Management Association (Washington-Alaska Chapter), Annual Conference & Trade Fair
02.25.16
“Health And Welfare Plans: Significant Issues Update,” Western Pension & Benefits Conference’s Health, Welfare & Benefits Symposium
01.28.15
“Worker Classification,” Eugene-Springfield Tax Association
10.26.10
“A Few of the Latest Tax Issues for Non-tax Attorneys,” Oregon State Bar Broadbrush Taxation Seminar
11.13.09
Legal Alerts
Publications
Tax Aspects of Divorce
08.30.21
There and Back Again: A Tax-Focused Tale of COVID Relief for Businesses
03.01.21
Tax Aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
04.06.20
The TCJA and Family Tax Matters Under Federal and Oregon Law
07.30.18
Portland Experts’ Take: Five Ways the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Will Upend M&A
04.06.18
A Summary of the Oregon Tax Changes Passed During the Recent Special Legislative Session
10.16.13
Employee Benefits in a Post-DOMA World
07.14.13
Upcoming Health Care Reform Compliance and Planning Issues for 2013 and 2014
07.02.13
Navigating the Department of Labor’s New Disclosure Regulations: Action Items for Plan Sponsors and Fiduciaries
04.06.13
Highlights of Tax Law Changes Under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
02.14.13
Expanded Roth Conversion Opportunity Available to Retirement Plan Participants; Fiduciary Update
01.24.13
Failures of IRC §1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediaries Highlight Risks and the Importance of Due Diligence When Selecting a Qualified Intermediary
03.14.09
Due Diligence in Selecting a 1031 Qualified Intermediary
02.01.09
Employer-Owned Life Insurance Rules May Unintentionally ‘Clean Up’ More Than Just Wal-Mart ‘Janitor Policies’
01.01.09
Lane County Mass Transit Tax
01.07.08
Washington County’s Real Property Transfer Tax
01.06.08
A Review of Oregon Affiliate Nexus
01.05.08
IRC Section 1031 Exchange Issues in Oregon
01.04.08
EGTRRA and the Past, Present, and Future of Oregon’s Inheritance Tax System
01.01.05
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