Michael Peterson
Main image for Michael Peterson

Michael Peterson

Mike Peterson is a contract attorney who works with Carrington Coleman. He knows the tax man as well as he knows business. That has helped him work successfully with Carrington Coleman clients to achieve their desired business outcomes and also, when necessary, to help resolve complex issues in which clients face potential litigation. Mike’s practice focuses on corporate, health care and tax related matters.

His corporate representation has involved representing public companies, established privately-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in a wide variety of industries, with a particular emphasis on healthcare, business and growing middle market companies, with a broad range of regulatory, corporate and business law issues. He has assisted clients at every stage of development and growth, including selecting and forming the appropriate entity for the business, obtaining seed money and growth capital, securing appropriate office or manufacturing locations or satisfying other real estate needs, developing and implementing successful growth and exit strategies, which have included mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures, and offerings of securities of various types.

His tax representation has included advising both publicly traded and privately held companies on a broad range of issues related to both federal and state tax matters, including planning issues for all types of business transactions, particularly business formations and mergers and acquisitions, as well as controversy work related to both federal and state tax disputes. Additionally, he advises clients on bankruptcy tax issues. Mike helps individuals address personal tax issues, including those regarding the best vehicle for their business or family assets.

As part of both his corporate and tax practice, he has advised publicly traded and privately held companies in the design, implementation and administration of qualified retirement plans, health and other welfare plans and executive compensation programs, including qualified and non-qualified stock options, deferred compensation agreements and restricted and phantom stock. He has advised with respect to employee benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions and other business transactions. He has also handled matters involving audits and administrative proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor.

Mike also has an active charitable tax practice. He regularly handles matters for nonprofits, including non-profit healthcare organizations.

Education

Education

  • University of Michigan (J.D., cum laude, 1978)
  • University of Michigan (A.B., with distinction, 1975)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas, 1978
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • United States Tax Court

Leadership

  • Mental Health America of Texas, Past Board Chair
  • Mental Health America of Greater Dallas, Past Board Chair
  • Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, Past Board Member
  • The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center, Volunteer
  • Parkinson Voice Project, Volunteer
  • United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Volunteer
  • United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas, Volunteer

Recognition

  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2018, Tax

AV-Preeminent-2020

Speeches/Publications

  • Author, The Qualified Business Income Pass-Thru Deduction as Passed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter, 2018 Issue One (March 2018).
  • Author, Creating an Entity for Charitable Giving, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter, 2017 Issue One.
  • Author, Does the Texas Franchise Tax Affect the Type of Entity You Choose?, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter, 2016 Issue Two.
  • Author, Expired Tax Provisions That May Affect You, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter (Winter 2014).
  • Author, Margin Taxes and Leases:  Who Should Pay?, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter (Fall 2012). 
  • Author, Texas Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of Margin Tax, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter (Fall 2012). 
  • Over 65 and Thinking of Downsizing?, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter (March 2009).