John C. Blackman IV

John Blackman is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. He focuses on employee benefit plans, estate planning, and individual, corporate, and pass-through entity income tax planning. John has drafted qualified plans, employment agreements, and deferred compensation plans; has advised and represented clients on tax and ERISA matters, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A; and has frequently represented clients in matters involving ERISA litigation. He works with clients to draft complex wills and trusts; counsels them through complex successions; applies the income, gift, and estate tax laws to estate planning issues; and represents clients involved in gift and estate tax controversies with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He has advised and guided clients through succession law controversies among executors, heirs, and legatees. John also advises clients on family business and succession planning and has advised on and litigated the issues that arise in connection with such areas of practice. John has obtained numerous private letter rulings from the IRS. In his individual, corporate, and pass-through entity tax practice, he has structured countless transactions, drafted complex limited partnerships and limited liability company operating agreements, and negotiated agreements involving complex taxable and tax-free purchases and sales of businesses. John is a tax specialist and an estate planning and administration specialist, as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He is a fellow in the American College of Tax Counsel and a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. John taught individual income tax at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, from 1990 to 1993. He speaks frequently in his areas of experience.