2026 Speakers and Topics (subject to change)

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
8:00 - 8:45 am	Breakfast
8:45 - 10:15 am	Opening Remarks & Panel on International Tax Issues
10:30 - 11:30 am	Scott A. Bowman McDermott Will & Schulte International Tax Topic (Tentative)
11:30 am - 12:00 pm	Get Lunch and Visit with Sponsors
12:00 - 1:00 pm	Prof. Cassady V. Brewer Georgia State University College of Law Prof. Bruce A. McGovern South Texas College of Law Houston *Recent Developments in Federal Income Taxation - Part 1* This session highlights important changes affecting taxpayers over the past twelve months, addressing significant court decisions, rulings, and statutory and regulatory developments.
1:00 - 1:30 pm	Visiting With Sponsors
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Prof. Cassady V. Brewer Georgia State University College of Law Prof. Bruce A. McGovern South Texas College of Law Houston *Recent Developments in Federal Income Taxation - Part 2* This session highlights important changes affecting taxpayers over the past twelve months, addressing significant court decisions, rulings, and statutory and regulatory developments.
2:35 - 3:35 pm	James B. Sowell KPMG LLP *Understanding and Drafting Partnership Allocation Provisions* This program is intended to promote an understanding of concepts necessary for the effective drafting of partnership allocation provisions. The differences between "safe harbor," waterfall and "target" allocations will be explained. Drafting allocation provisions that are valid and understandable for the relevant audience (i.e., investors, operators of the business, and accountants) will be a focus.
3:35 - 4:00 pm	Visiting With Sponsors
4:00 - 5:00 pm	Samuel A. Donaldson, JD, LL.M., AEP® (Distinguished) Georgia State University College of Law *Federal Wealth Transfer Tax Update*
5:00 - 6:00 pm	Welcome Reception
Thursday, April 9, 2026
8:00 - 8:45 am	Samuel C. Ullman Memorial Breakfast and Visit with Sponsors Sponsored by The Florida Bar Tax Law Section
8:45 am	Opening Remarks
8:50 - 9:50 am	Alexander L. Reid, JD, LL.M. BakerHostetler *No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Charitable Giving, Chapter 42, and Traps for the UnWary* A family office has extra space and decides to rent it to the family's private foundation. The family patriarch buys an auction item at a charitable fundraiser and sends the bill to the foundation. The foundation holds a board meeting in Turks and Caicos and invites spouses, grandkids, and a few friends. It charters a plane to fly everyone, because it is more convenient than flying commercial. The CEO of the foundation has some expense reimbursements that are a few years old. Also, she wants a raise and a loan to help her with a downpayment on her new home. Fortunately, the family patriarch has some great investment opportunities for the foundation in the company he owns with his brother.
9:55 - 11:25 am	A. Brian Phillips A. Brian Phillips, P.A. *It Is Dangerous To Be Right When the Government Is Wrong* Accusations of misconduct (especially baseless ones) by government personnel present unique challenges to tax practitioners. To deal with these situations requires a deft mix of skill, courage, and character. The panel will address the impact of these challenges from the practitioner and judicial perspectives.
11:25 am - 12:25 pm	Student Networking Luncheon and Visit with Sponsors Sponsored by A. Brian Phillips, P.A.
12:25 pm - 1:25 pm	Speaker TBD *Presentation on Economic Trends and Effects on Florida topic*
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Gregg D. Polsky, JD, LL.M. New York University School of Law *The Qualified Small Business Stock Exclusion* This presentation will discuss section 1202, which excludes from gross income certain gains from the sale of qualified small business stock. Besides describing the technical rules, including important changes in the 2025 tax legislation, the presentation will discuss planning opportunities and traps for the unwary.
2:30 - 3:00 pm	Visiting With Sponsors
3:00 - 4:00 pm	Claudia Ray, JD Kirkland & Ellis LLP *Presentation on Generative AI topic*
4:05 - 5:05 pm	Gregg D. Polsky, JD, LL.M. New York University School of Law *Taxable & Tax-Free Mergers and Acquisitions* This presentation will discuss the tax consequences of corporate mergers and acquisitions. It will cover taxable deals and tax-free reorganizations, as well as other common reorganization-like structures.
5:05 - 6:30 pm	Attendee Mingle Reception Connect with fellow attendees over unique food and lively conversation. Every 10 minutes, rotate through four pre-assigned tables, each with a new group of 10 people. Table facilitators will spark the chat with fun icebreaker questions.
Friday, April 10, 2026
8:00 - 8:45 am	Breakfast with Sponsors
8:45 am	Opening Remarks
8:50 - 9:50 am	Stephanie Loomis-Price Perkins Coie LLP *Scary Stories of IRS Claims and Collection Powers* The IRS has significant power as a creditor against estates when federal taxes are owed. And executors, fiduciaries, and trustees should understand their varying levels of potential liabilities. This session will explore relevant case law and provide practical advice to avoid pitfalls.
9:55 - 10:55 am	Paul S. Lee, JD, LL.M. (taxation) *The Great Unknown: What Really Happens When Partners Die?* They say the only certainties in life are death and taxes. If that has always been true, then why do we know so little about what really happens when a partner dies? This presentation unveils the real truth about the “step-up” in basis when a partner dies and what’s left behind for the partnership and its partners. It will discuss planning opportunities before and after death, pitfalls to avoid, and unanswered questions, with a focus on “negative basis” and “negative capital” assets.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Benetta Y. Park, JD Bessemer Trust Matthew J. Scheer Gunster *Family Office Structuring: Overview of Different Models & Their Tax and Non-tax Considerations* What is a family office? What kind of family office does a client need? This program will provide an overview of various family office structures and the tax and non-tax considerations for each one. The presenters will provide a framework for advisors to use when helping clients determine the best option to achieve the family’s goals over time. When is a “Lender-style” profits interest structure appropriate for a family? When should a family consider a private trust company? How do these structures fit within a family’s other family enterprises, entities, and trusts? What role does family governance play? The presenters will answer commonly asked questions and address the important issues when advising ultra-high net worth families in structuring their family office.
12:00 - 12:45 pm	Get Lunch and Visit with Sponsors
12:45 - 1:45 pm	Brant J. Hellwig, JD, LL.M. (taxation) New York University School of Law *Tax Consequences of Termination of Grantor Trust Status* The presentation will examine the tax consequences when the grantor trust status of an irrevocable trust terminates, whether during the grantor's lifetime or by reason of the grantor's death. Specific topics to be covered include the prospect of realizing gain as a result of the deemed transfer occurring to the nongrantor trust, as well as the effect of the termination on the basis of the trust property.
1:50 - 2:50 pm	Lauren Y. Detzel, JD Dean Mead *Presentation on Trust Modifications and Decantings topic*
3:00 pm	Dennis Calfee's Birthday Party Come celebrate with us! Join fellow attendees in wishing Professor Calfee a very Happy Birthday — let’s make it a moment to remember!