Joe Casion Harter Secrest
Our Tax attorneys advise clients from small local enterprises to large publicly traded corporations about a full range of tax matters. We monitor legislative and regulatory developments daily and participate on policy-forming committees of tax agencies and bar associations. This level of knowledge enables our tax attorneys to speak with authority on critical tax developments (such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), to formulate and implement appropriate tax strategies at the federal and state level, and to represent clients effectively in controversies with tax authorities. We have particular strength advising on:
Casion is Partner at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. Casion’s professional profile on Relationship Science, the database of decision makers. Joe is recognized as a true listener and a valued part of the leadership teams of his clients. New York state’s highest court has ruled that counties must pay municipalities for the cost of demolishing and repairing “zombie” houses. Harter Secrest & Emery LLP recently represented the town of Irondequoit in a successful challenge to a 2016 Monroe. Here is a complete list of nearly every available Executive Compensations in Rochester, NY. The Trustoria Professional Directory gives you all the information needed.
Corporate tax planning
With detailed legal and business analysis, we determine the most effective tax structures for the myriad corporate transactions on which the firm advises. From tax-free spin-offs and mergers to taxable asset sales, like-kind exchanges and other arrangements, the tax consequences of a transaction frequently drive the business deal. Our Tax attorneys work closely with lawyers in other practice areas, especially Corporate and Real Estate, to ensure that our clients achieve the highest possible after-tax returns from a transaction.
Individual tax planning
We counsel shareholder clients and closely held businesses on personal tax planning issues, which include structuring investments, planning the timing of transactions that create income or deductions, and tax planning for the owners of closely held businesses.
State and local tax
Navigating state and local taxation can be critical for companies in many industries and for those engaged in interstate sales. Our Tax attorneys frequently plan business transactions to ensure the most advantageous state and local tax consequences.
Tax controversy counsel
Merely halting operations or selling assets does not enable a company to leave New York State. Careful tax planning – an exit strategy – is essential. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in the resolution of disputes with tax authorities. Frequently, these controversies are resolved at the audit level. We also represent clients in administrative appeals and before the U.S. Tax Court, the New York State Tax Appeals Tribunal, and other federal and state courts.
Private letter rulings
Clients contemplating business or personal transactions often want assurance of the tax results of their plans before they are implemented. We represent clients in obtaining private letter rulings from the IRS and similar rulings from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Regulatory and legislative monitoring
We monitor state and federal tax legislation, and any corresponding regulatory updates, to assist our business and personal clients in planning and maintaining their business operations and investment plans.
Joe Casion Harter Secrest
Employment taxes
Businesses with employees are obligated to withhold payroll or “employment” taxes. We work with employers on the full range of employment tax issues, including federal, state and local Income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and state and federal unemployment tax.
What We See on the Horizon
Contact our HSE Tax team for our latest insights about the following:
- Opportunity zones. The federal tax reform legislation which was enacted in 2017 created so-called “opportunity zones” – that is, preferential tax treatment of capital gains related to investments in low-income areas. After enactment of tax reform, however, there were changes to the legislation. Employers would do well to examine whether their practices and policies are compliant.
- Estate tax. In anticipation of possible future estate tax changes, small businesses may wish to consider restructuring to take best advantage of current estate and gift tax laws.
- A changing tax landscape. As elections bring new officials to the policymaking arena, the HSE Tax team watches closely as new legislation and tax policy develops. Often, even after tax laws change, it can take the IRS and state tax authorities time to issue appropriate guidance. We monitor legislative activity and keep clients and HSE attorneys up to date on changes – both enacted and proposed.
- Rochester
- 585.231.1407
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In his primary role as general counsel to regional businesses and non-profit organizations, Joe is recognized as a true listener and a valued part of the leadership teams of his clients. For more than 20 years, he has worked closely with clients by first understanding their goals and then helping them to quickly and creatively overcome any obstacles to achieve success.
Joe provides general corporate counsel to a wide variety of clients. He has extensive experience with all aspects of initial corporate formations, transactions, joint ventures, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, and reorganizations. In addition, he advises clients on technical requirements for compliance with federal and state tax regulations.
Besides serving as a trusted advisor, Joe is equally passionate about his work in the community, demonstrated by the numerous charitable organizations with which he volunteers his time.
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
- Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, Friendly Home
- Secretary, Board of Directors, Foodlink
- Secretary, Board of Governors, Al Sigl Foundation
- Member, Monroe County Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Past Chair, Board of Directors, Empire Justice Center
- Past Chair, Community Investment Executive Team, United Way of Greater Rochester
- Past Secretary, Board of Directors, Grantmakers Forum of New York
HONORS & AWARDS
- Named by The Daily Record as one of Rochester’s Attorneys of the Year, 2017
- Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law
- Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2013-2014
- Recipient, 'Forty Under 40' Award, Rochester Business Journal, 2011
- Justinian Society, Phi Beta Kappa
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Upstate Niagara Cooperative, in acquiring a cheese manufacturing facility from Kraft Heinz in the Southern Tier that allowed Upstate to enter the cheese market for the first time and provided a home and productive use for the tremendous amount of milk its members in our region are producing.
- Trillium Health, as general counsel in many matters including the integration of AIDS Rochester and Community Health Network following the merger that created the unified Trillium Health entity, formation of a foundation, formation of a joint venture to expand pharmacy services, physician practice acquisitions, and a wide range of regulatory matters to ensure the delivery of care to underserved populations in our community.
- The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, since 2007 consistently working with the trustees of the Foundation, guiding the monetization of the Foundation’s real estate holdings, establishing the governance, related policies and grant-making infrastructure to ensure that the wishes of its founders Max and Marian Farash are honored through its mission to benefit organizations in the Greater Rochester area and Israel.
- Alleson of Rochester, coordinating a team of family shareholders, financial advisors, and HSE lawyers, closing a transaction that paired Alleson with another sports apparel manufacturer and which strengthened both companies, maintained jobs in the region, and delivered significant value to the stakeholders.
NEWS
Press Releases
- Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers In America 2020, August 15, 2019
- Harter Secrest & Emery Appoints New Management Committee Members and Practice Group Leaders, March 26, 2019
PUBLICATIONS
- 'New Non-Profit Law Lifts Burdens, Adds Oversight,' Rochester Business Journal, June 2014
- 'New York Enacts Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Reform,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, January 2014
- 'New York Limits Executive Compensation and Administrative Expenses at State-Funded Service Providers,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, July 2013
- 'Benefit Corporations Now Authorized in New York—The Formalization of Corporate Social Responsibility,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, March 2012
- Contributing Author, White New York Business Entities, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law
PRESENTATIONS
- 'Tax Reform for Exempt Organizations: 10 Things You Need to Know' webinar, June 14, 2018
- 'Tax Reforms Impact of Higher Education,' Buffalo College & University Spring Educational Breakfast Series presented by The Bonadio Group, June 6, 2018
- 'Architects/Engineers Breakfast Briefing: Design Professionals Corporations and Ancillary Businesses,' Harter Secrest & Emery LLP and Poole Professional, June 7, 2017
- 'Trends in Non-Profit Law Compliance,' Harter Secrest & Emery Higher Education Institute, August 2, 2016
- 'Executive Compensation Strategies for Non-Profits,' Harter Secrest & Emery and the Burke Group, May 18, 2016
- 'How to Build an Effective Board,' Greater Rochester Enterprise’s Eyes on the Future Radio Show, WHAM 1180, May 2016
- 'Non-Profit Revitalization Act,' Greater Rochester Enterprise’s Eyes on the Future Radio Show, WHAM 1180, June 2014
In his primary role as general counsel to regional businesses and non-profit organizations, Joe is recognized as a true listener and a valued part of the leadership teams of his clients. For more than 20 years, he has worked closely with clients by first understanding their goals and then helping them to quickly and creatively overcome any obstacles to achieve success.
Joe provides general corporate counsel to a wide variety of clients. He has extensive experience with all aspects of initial corporate formations, transactions, joint ventures, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, and reorganizations. In addition, he advises clients on technical requirements for compliance with federal and state tax regulations.
Besides serving as a trusted advisor, Joe is equally passionate about his work in the community, demonstrated by the numerous charitable organizations with which he volunteers his time.
Representative Experience
- Upstate Niagara Cooperative, in acquiring a cheese manufacturing facility from Kraft Heinz in the Southern Tier that allowed Upstate to enter the cheese market for the first time and provided a home and productive use for the tremendous amount of milk its members in our region are producing.
- Trillium Health, as general counsel in many matters including the integration of AIDS Rochester and Community Health Network following the merger that created the unified Trillium Health entity, formation of a foundation, formation of a joint venture to expand pharmacy services, physician practice acquisitions, and a wide range of regulatory matters to ensure the delivery of care to underserved populations in our community.
- The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, since 2007 consistently working with the trustees of the Foundation, guiding the monetization of the Foundation’s real estate holdings, establishing the governance, related policies and grant-making infrastructure to ensure that the wishes of its founders Max and Marian Farash are honored through its mission to benefit organizations in the Greater Rochester area and Israel.
- Alleson of Rochester, coordinating a team of family shareholders, financial advisors, and HSE lawyers, closing a transaction that paired Alleson with another sports apparel manufacturer and which strengthened both companies, maintained jobs in the region, and delivered significant value to the stakeholders.
Professional & Civic Affiliations
Harter Secrest Buffalo
- Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, Friendly Home
- Secretary, Board of Directors, Foodlink
- Secretary, Board of Governors, Al Sigl Foundation
- Member, Monroe County Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Past Chair, Board of Directors, Empire Justice Center
- Past Chair, Community Investment Executive Team, United Way of Greater Rochester
- Past Secretary, Board of Directors, Grantmakers Forum of New York
Honors & Awards
- Named by The Daily Record as one of Rochester’s Attorneys of the Year, 2017
- Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law
- Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2013-2014
- Recipient, 'Forty Under 40' Award, Rochester Business Journal, 2011
- Justinian Society, Phi Beta Kappa
Publications
- 'New Non-Profit Law Lifts Burdens, Adds Oversight,' Rochester Business Journal, June 2014
- 'New York Enacts Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Reform,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, January 2014
- 'New York Limits Executive Compensation and Administrative Expenses at State-Funded Service Providers,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, July 2013
- 'Benefit Corporations Now Authorized in New York—The Formalization of Corporate Social Responsibility,' LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis, March 2012
- Contributing Author, White New York Business Entities, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law
News
Press Releases
- Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers In America 2020, August 15, 2019
- Harter Secrest & Emery Appoints New Management Committee Members and Practice Group Leaders, March 26, 2019
Presentations
- 'Tax Reform for Exempt Organizations: 10 Things You Need to Know' webinar, June 14, 2018
- 'Tax Reforms Impact of Higher Education,' Buffalo College & University Spring Educational Breakfast Series presented by The Bonadio Group, June 6, 2018
- 'Architects/Engineers Breakfast Briefing: Design Professionals Corporations and Ancillary Businesses,' Harter Secrest & Emery LLP and Poole Professional, June 7, 2017
- 'Trends in Non-Profit Law Compliance,' Harter Secrest & Emery Higher Education Institute, August 2, 2016
- 'Executive Compensation Strategies for Non-Profits,' Harter Secrest & Emery and the Burke Group, May 18, 2016
- 'How to Build an Effective Board,' Greater Rochester Enterprise’s Eyes on the Future Radio Show, WHAM 1180, May 2016
- 'Non-Profit Revitalization Act,' Greater Rochester Enterprise’s Eyes on the Future Radio Show, WHAM 1180, June 2014
Admissions
- New York
Education
Joe Casino Harter Secrets Treasure Hunt
- Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
- University of Rochester, B.A., History, magna cum laude