Scott Malin

Corporate & Business

Tax

Closely Held & Family Businesses

Taxation of Partnerships & Other Pass-Through Entities

Emerging Companies & Entrepreneurs

Private Client Services

Recognized by Chambers USA, fellow attorneys praise Scott for his insight: “He understands the sophisticated issues in this area,” and “is a really smart lawyer with many good business-related clients.” In addition, private wealth clients have said, “Scott’s considerable experience with closely held family businesses makes him an invaluable asset” and “Scott is responsive, intelligent, and, in general, a great guy.” His strategic approach and diligence have earned him the trust and respect of peers and clients alike.

Scott Malin offers value-added counsel for high-net-worth clients, family businesses and closely held entities. He has a wealth of experience serving car dealership owners, manufacturing company owners, professional service providers, and real estate developers, among others.

Privately held and family businesses, individuals and families alike count on Scott’s strategic perspectives and sound counsel. He has a deep understanding of clients’ goals and the intricacies of their businesses, assisting them with:

Asset protection

Business succession planning

Charitable planning

Estate planning and tax management

General business law

Probate

Tax planning

Scott helps clients plan for their individual and families’ futures while navigating the ever-changing tax landscape. His advanced tax planning methods and thorough understanding of the complexities involved in the intergenerational transfer of wealth allow him to effectively reduce tax implications for clients’ businesses and their families. One CFO client said, “It feels much like Scott is our in-house counsel. I don’t ever question the advice. Scott truly understands our business.”

Throughout his career, Scott has achieved notable success assisting family business owners with orderly transitions of ownership, minimizing estate and gift taxes, and facilitating business restructures to change tax statuses and reduce potential income tax liabilities. His knowledge in handling estate tax audits and overseeing the sale of highly valuable family-owned businesses underscores his capability to deliver exemplary legal solutions tailored to clients’ needs.

Scott served as a member of Lathrop GPM’s Executive Committee for seven years. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Washington University School of Law’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation program, where he teaches Closely Held Business and Succession Planning. A frequent lecturer and speaker, Scott shares his knowledge on succession planning, estate planning, and tax issues with various organizations including The Missouri Bar, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Worked with family business owners for orderly transition of ownership to second generation while minimizing estate and gift tax. Also restructured the business to change the tax status to subchapter S corporation and reduce the potential income tax liability to the family.

Worked with three generations of family members, many of whom were involved in the business, to structure a transaction and buy-sell agreement to the satisfaction of all owners. The terms of the agreement addressed the transition of business management and ownership to ensure orderly succession of the business.

Worked with wealthy individual to substantially reduce estate taxes by creating various partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, installment sale of assets to a grantor trust, and split interest purchase of a residence, along with life insurance planning.

Handled estate tax audit for estate with significant assets. Audit related to valuation of several closely held business interests, which included the sale of interests to a grantor trust and the discounted valuation of the promissory note.

Oversaw the sale of a family-owned business valued at $100 million. Work included pre-sale planning involving the creation of trusts and transfer of assets to ensure significant estate tax savings for the client.

Restructured businesses to facilitate intergenerational transfers of wealth, including buy-out provisions, for a high-net worth family who owns multiple companies and several parcels of related real estate.