Bernard J. Powers - Racine, WI

Comprehensive Business Law, Tax, and Estate Advocacy in Racine, Wisconsin

When business operations, high-stakes tax controversies, or substantial family assets intersect, having counsel with both legal and financial credentials provides an invaluable advantage. Attorney Bernard J. Powers practices at Foley, Shannon, Powers and Rusch, S.C., located at 5605 Washington Avenue in Racine. Admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1982, Attorney Powers graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School, earning membership in the Order of the Coif and the Dean's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Additionally, he holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). If you need to hire an attorney who combines legal strategy with accounting acumen, Bernard J. Powers provides exceptional representation.

Strategic Tax Law, IRS Disputes, and Tax Planning

Tax regulations are among the most intricate bodies of law in the United States. As an experienced tax lawyer and CPA, Bernard J. Powers provides authoritative counsel for corporations, small business owners, and individual taxpayers. When facing aggressive audit enforcement or tax disputes, clients rely on his dual background to navigate IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue proceedings:

• IRS and State Tax Audits: Representing taxpayers in complex federal and state examinations, defending claimed deductions, and preventing unjustified tax assessments.
• Tax Controversy and Collections: Negotiating Offers in Compromise, structured installment agreements, and penalty abatements to resolve delinquent tax liabilities.
• Tax Liens and Levies: Taking swift legal action to release bank levies, stop wage garnishments, and remove federal tax liens on commercial and residential property.
• Corporate Tax Strategy: Structuring tax-efficient business mergers, asset sales, and distributions to minimize corporate and personal tax liabilities.

Business Formation, Transactions, and Corporate Governance

From inception to succession, enterprise leaders need reliable counsel to safeguard equity and avoid disputes. Entrepreneurs looking to find a lawyer for business formation consult with Attorney Powers to select optimal corporate structures, whether establishing limited liability companies, S-corporations, or joint ventures. He drafts comprehensive operating agreements, shareholder buy-sell contracts, and employment agreements. Moreover, his practice handles commercial contract negotiations, vendor agreements, and business restructuring, ensuring that transactions align with both corporate and tax objectives.

Sophisticated Estate Planning and Probate Administration

Wealth preservation demands proactive strategies that minimize transfer taxes while honoring family intentions. Bernard J. Powers drafts comprehensive wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, financial durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. He incorporates advanced estate strategies, including irrevocable life insurance trusts and generation-skipping transfer planning. When a family member passes away, personal representatives who urgently need a lawyer to manage an estate turn to Attorney Powers for orderly probate administration, ensuring tax returns are accurately filed and estate assets are distributed smoothly.

Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Bernard J. Powers

With an extensive career that includes serving on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Wisconsin Taxation Section and the Racine County Bar Association, Attorney Powers has earned a referral-based reputation as a conscientious advocate. Contact the law offices of Bernard J. Powers at (262) 619-9000 today to arrange a consultation and put decades of legal and CPA insight to work for your financial and business success.