October 2024 - Volume 12, Issue 50

Q2 NEWS & UPDATES

Analysis of Trump and Harris Tax Plans

With the 2024 elections just around the corner this is a good time to examine the major parties’ candidates’ tax proposals. Neither candidate has presented a particularly detailed account of their tax proposals, so to the extent information is available I’ve tried to summarize it for you here.


Perhaps the most important aspect of each candidate’s plan concerns their approach to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). Many provisions of the TCJA that apply to individual taxpayers are scheduled to expire after 2025. While Kamala Harris’ published plan doesn’t specifically address it, it’s believed that she would be in favor of allowing these provisions to expire except in the few areas in which she has proposed specific changes, while Donald Trump has publicly stated his desire to make these laws permanent. For this reason this article also highlights for you some of the most relevant provisions of the TCJA that are set to expire.


I’ve endeavored to leave politics out of this analysis and have tried to keep my own professional opinions out as well, unless I feel a strong need to say something. Also not addressed are the proposed economic impacts of any changes in the laws. I leave that for the economists to address, and there’s plenty of them scoring these tax proposals if you choose to search for them online. 


As always, this is a broad summary only. It is not intended as a detailed and thorough analysis, so if you have more specific questions feel free to call or e-mail.


Click Here to Read More And Compare Tax Plans

STEVE WEISER

PARTNER

IN THIS ISSUE


MEET FGMC'S NEWEST ADDITIONS

Adam Burg - Senior Policy Advisor


We are excited to announce that Adam Burg has joined the Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher team as Senior Policy Advisor, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise that will enhance our commitment to delivering innovative solutions for our clients.


With a robust background spanning over a decade of work in government relations, political strategy, policy analysis, legislation development, and political campaigns, Adam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our firm.


For more information about Adam Burg please follow the link.

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Courtney C. Weber - Associate Attorney


We are proud and excited to reintroduce Courtney Weber. Before joining the firm as an associate attorney, Courtney was a law clerk at Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP, where she focused primarily on the Litigation practice group. Courtney earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.


For more information about Courtney please follow the link.

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AWARDS

14 Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients


Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP is pleased to announce that 14 FGMC partners have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.


Please join us in congratulating the following attorneys:


Lara Baker – Criminal Defense: General Practice

Daniel Calisher – Litigation – Construction and Litigation – Real Estate

John A. Chanin – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Litigation – Banking and Finance

Kristin A. Decker – Land Use and Zoning Law

David WM. Foster – Land Use and Zoning Law

Daniel S. Foster – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Michael J. Gates – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction

Robert Graham – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

Mikhail L. Laskin – Criminal Defense: General Practice

Gary Lozow – Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Michael G. Milstein – Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Mallory A. Revel – Criminal Defense: General Practice

Michael A. Rollin – Commercial Litigation

Katherine A. Roush – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor and Employment


Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America


We are very pleased to announce that Erik N. Carlson has been selected to be recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®. This designation recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

Mr. Carlson has been recognized for his work in the field of Land Use and Zoning Law. Erik’s extensive experience in land use, zoning and entitlement projects has put him on the fast track within FGMC’s Land Use and Real Estate legal team. Erik assists clients in successfully obtaining conditional use permits, variances, annexations, and rezoning approvals from town boards, city councils, boards of adjustment, and boards of county commissioners. Erik has experience working in cities and counties throughout Colorado. Erik rounds out his practice by facilitating complex real estate transactions for clients who are buying and selling property at various stages within the development process.



Please join us in congratulating Erik on this well-deserved honor. Erik’s detailed approach, his expertise and depth in land use issues, and his strong advocacy for his clients are key to his accomplishments. The firm is proud of Erik’s recognition, and we look forward to his continued success.


ERIK CARLSON

PARTNER

LITIGATION COUNSEL OF AMERICA


John Chanin was recently named a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based on excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.

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Mackrell International

This past month, two of our associates, Lindsey Idelberg and Nathaniel Mortensen, attended a conference in Seattle hosted by Cairncross & Hempelmann, a member of the Mackrell International network. The event brought together legal professionals from Canada, Latin America, and across the United States to focus on developing and strengthening their capabilities and networks.


Our affiliation with Mackrell International significantly enhances our ability to assist clients both nationally and globally. For our Colorado-based clients with legal matters extending beyond the state, this connection offers access to a network of trusted law firms with whom we have established strong partnerships.

Click Here To Read More

LINDSEY IDELBERG

ASSOCIATE

NATE MORTENSEN

ASSOCIATE

With a Massive Ballot Set for 2024, Should Colorado Revisit its Approach to the Initiative Process?

While the presidential campaign may be grabbing headlines, Colorado voters have a lot of important items they need to pay attention to in the upcoming election.  

 

With state and local measures, congressional, general assembly, municipal, and judicial elections on the horizon, it promises to be a busy sprint to November 5th.  

 

Colorado voters are beginning to receive the “Blue Book” in their mailboxes, officially marking the final leg of the election season. This ballot information booklet, sent out a month before the November election, provides analyses of the statewide measures under consideration, including neutral summaries, potential fiscal impacts, and major arguments for and against each measure. 

 

Colorado stands out with this tradition; alongside Alaska and Massachusetts, it is one of the few states that requires neutral summaries and pro/con arguments for ballot measures. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, of the 24 states that mandate information about measures, 16 require arguments on both sides. 

 

Around two million booklets are being sent to registered voter households, and in some areas like Denver, where there are 11 local measures, the booklet is quite substantial. That’s because this year’s ballot includes much more than just candidates, featuring a total of 14 citizen initiatives and legislatively referred statewide measures.  

 

So, why the abundance of measures this year? Before we get to that, let’s break down the basics of the ballot. 


Visit our Website for Full Article

ADAM BURG

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

A Few Of Our Favorite Organizations

Colorado Soccer Foundation

Evan Husney, FGMC partner, serves as a board member of the Colorado Soccer Foundation, a program that strives to make soccer accessible to all kids who want to play. The Colorado Soccer Foundation began working with the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to provide after school programming in Denver Metro area schools with high free and reduced lunch rates. The program started in 9 schools and has since grown to over 30 partner schools. In addition, the Colorado Soccer Foundation has begun to operate a world-class facility that serves as both a community hub and a base of operations.


To learn more about the Colorado Soccer Foundation follow the link.


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Denver Children's Foundation

Erik Carlson, FGMC partner, volunteers as a member of the Denver Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to positively impacting the lives of disadvantaged, at-risk youth in our local community. Erik was recently elected by his peer members to another year of service as a Director on DCF’s Board. The Denver Children’s Foundation consistently grants out over $1 million annually to organizations that target underserved youth in the most marginalized segments of our community.


To learn more about the Denver Children’s Foundation or to check out one of their top-notch fundraising events, follow the link.

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Mile High Lab Mission

The Mile High Labrador Retriever Mission is a non-profit charity with a mission to help purebred Labrador Retrievers, and Labrador mixes. Their goal is to eliminate the suffering of homeless or misplaced Labradors and promote the importance of responsible dog ownership.


Mallory Revel, FGMC partner, and her spouse have adopted three dogs through this organization, and have fostered several others. Fostering saves lives, as does donating towards doggie medical bills.


To learn more, follow the link below.

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Anti-Defamation League

John Chanin and Gary Lozow, partners at FGMC, both serve on the board of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Gary Lozow is a former recipient of the ADL’s civil rights award, highlighting his commitment to the organization’s mission. Founded in 1913, the Anti-Defamation League is dedicated to combating the defamation of Jewish people and promoting justice and fair treatment for all individuals.


To learn more about the Anti-Defamation League, follow the link below.

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Contact Us
360 S Garfield St Suite, Suite 600
Denver, CO 80209

Phone: (303) 333-9810 Fax: (303) 333-9786

FGMC are Colorado Lawyers serving most personal and business legal needs.
We offer clients the power of a large law firm with the personal service of a boutique law firm.

Practice areas include:
Auto Accident / Personal Injury Law, Appellate Practice, Business / Corporate / Finance / Mergers & Acquisitions,
Criminal Defense, Employment Law, Estate Planning / Tax Planning, Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense, Land Use And Real Estate, Law Enforcement Representation, Litigation