Biography:
Christopher Vasallo is one of the two founding partners of the firm and is a creative, results oriented tax attorney. His practice focuses on combining a high level of service, integrity, creativity, and hard work. The firm was founded based on the belief that a boutique firm is the best setting within which to provide a concentrated focus on the legal needs of individuals and business clients and to add value for them – not simply expense. These philosophies drive his practice, as well as the practices of the firm.
Mr. Vasallo possesses a diverse background in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax planning. A substantial portion of Mr. Vasallo's practice is devoted to assisting high net worth domestic and international clients with traditional and advanced estate planning (e.g. wills, living trusts, charitable trusts, remainder trusts, insurance trusts and supplemental care trusts), coupled with gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Mr. Vasallo has represented wealthy families situated in most U.S. states, as well as international jurisdictions such as the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Haiti, Europe, Africa, Russia and Australia. Mr. Vasallo’s estate planning practice involves the design and implementation of orderly wealth transfers for individuals and families in both tax neutral and tax intensive jurisdictions. Mr. Vasallo likewise routinely assists clients with ancillary, summary and formal estate administrations as well as overseeing trust administrations. Mr. Vasallo is an authorized speaker for the Florida Bar and frequently speaks to numerous civic and private groups about the legal issues revolving around his practice areas.
Possessing a Master’s Degree in Taxation, Mr. Vasallo is able to assist clients with federal income tax planning, partnership and corporate tax, state taxation, federal and state tax audits and controversies, taxation of inbound and outbound transactions, and state and federal tax litigation defense, collection and appeals. Mr. Vasallo formulates tax efficient inbound investment structures enabling foreign investors to invest and do business in U.S. markets (such as portfolio interest note and equivalent plans). In his civil tax controversy practice, Mr. Vasallo defends, negotiates and settles high exposure federal tax liabilities, including those in the multi-millions of dollars. This experience allows Mr. Vasallo to advise companies and individuals on how best to maintain their business while satisfying their tax liabilities. Furthermore, Mr. Vasallo possesses extensive experience in navigating state civil and criminal tax investigations and controversies.
Publications and seminars by Mr. Vasallo include: Seven Ways to Protect Your Assets, Pest Control Magazine Sept. 2003; Have an Asset Protection Plan, Ophthalmology Management Magazine Nov. 2003; Estate Planning Basics, MTV Latin America, February 16, 2005; Asset Protection Basics, Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company, Feb. 24, 2005; and Drafting Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute Seminars, 2006; and Preparing to Care for Your Aging Parents, Caring Resources, Inc., 2009. Mr. Vasallo is frequently asked to be a guest speaker on related topics to a variety of audiences. Mr. Vasallo has been a guest speaker on Public Television with regards to estate planning.
Professional Recognition:
- Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2008, 2009 and 2010)
- Florida Super Lawyer (2008, 2009 and 2010)
- Paul Harris Fellowship Award
Bar and Court Admissions:
- The Florida Bar
- United States Tax Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Community Involvement:
- Board Member/Treasurer, Westminster Christian School Foundation Board
- Board Member/Audit Committee/Secretary, Ministries in Action, Inc.; Board (2003 – 2009)
- Advisory Board Member, Wellspring Counseling, Inc.
- Finance Committee/Diaconate, Old Cutler Presbyterian Church (Member for over 23 years)
- President, ALPHA KAPPA PSI International Business Fraternity (1996)
- Coral Gables Rotary
Education:
- LL.M. in Taxation, University of Miami Graduate Program in Taxation
- J.D., University of Florida, with Honors
- B.S., Auburn University (Business Administration)