Thompson & Knight LLP: R Gordon Appleman

In the intricate realms of tax law, estate planning, and nonprofit organization management, individuals and entities in Fort Worth and across the wider Texas region require legal counsel with not only profound knowledge but also a vast breadth of experience. This is where R. Gordon Appleman, serving as Consulting Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, stands as a distinguished figure. With a legal career spanning over six decades, Mr. Appleman brings an unparalleled depth of expertise to some of the most complex financial and philanthropic legal challenges.

Mr. Appleman's journey in law began in 1962, and since then, he has cultivated a practice renowned for its meticulous approach to federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, alongside extensive work in wills, probate, trusts, and exempt organizations. This article will provide a detailed overview of R. Gordon Appleman's practice within Holland & Knight LLP, detailing his Fort Worth location, the specialized services he offers, the key highlights that define his long-standing professional excellence, and ultimately, why he remains a highly suitable choice for Texans navigating sophisticated tax and estate matters.

R. Gordon Appleman, as part of Holland & Knight LLP, is situated in a premier location in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, ensuring convenient accessibility for clients throughout the city and surrounding areas of Tarrant County. The office is located at 777 Main St #3300, Fort Worth, TX 76102, USA. This address places the firm in a prominent skyscraper in the heart of the business district, making it easily identifiable and accessible.

Being on Main Street and at a high floor (Suite 3300) in a major commercial building underscores the firm's established presence and professional environment. This central location in downtown Fort Worth offers strategic advantages, as it is often in close proximity to various essential legal and governmental facilities, including courthouses and financial institutions. For those traveling by car, downtown Fort Worth provides numerous parking options, including nearby garages. The area is also well-served by public transportation, offering convenient alternatives for clients from different parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The ease of access to a highly respected firm like Holland & Knight LLP allows clients to focus on their significant legal matters with minimal logistical concerns.

R. Gordon Appleman, as Consulting Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, focuses his practice on a highly specialized range of services, primarily encompassing various aspects of taxation, estate planning, and nonprofit organizations. His extensive experience allows him to handle intricate financial and philanthropic legal matters with precision and foresight. Key services include:

• Taxation Law:

  • Federal Income Tax: Advising clients on complex federal income tax issues, ensuring compliance and optimizing tax strategies.

  • Estate Tax: Providing counsel on federal estate tax planning to minimize tax liabilities and facilitate smooth wealth transfer.

  • Gift Tax: Guiding clients through the intricacies of gift tax regulations, helping them make informed decisions regarding asset transfers.

  • Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax: Expert advice on strategies to mitigate generation-skipping transfer taxes for multi-generational wealth planning.

  • Tax Planning: Developing comprehensive tax plans for individuals and businesses to achieve their financial objectives while adhering to tax laws.

  • Tax Court Representation: Admitted to practice in the U.S. Tax Court, Mr. Appleman can represent clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.

• Estate Planning & Probate:

  • Wills and Trusts: Drafting and reviewing wills, various types of trusts (e.g., revocable, irrevocable, charitable), and other testamentary documents to ensure clients' wishes are fulfilled and assets are protected.

  • Probate Administration: Guiding executors and beneficiaries through the probate process, ensuring the legal and orderly distribution of assets after death.

  • Wealth Planning and Preservation: Developing sophisticated strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families to preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

  • Community Property: Advising on Texas community property laws in the context of estate planning and divorce.

• Nonprofit Organizations:

  • Formation and Governance: Assisting with the formation of various types of exempt organizations and providing ongoing counsel on governance, compliance, and operational matters.

  • Tax-Exempt Status: Guiding nonprofits through the process of obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status with the IRS.

  • Charitable Giving: Advising individuals and foundations on effective charitable giving strategies.

His deep understanding of these specialized areas, particularly in the context of federal and Texas law, makes him a sought-after advisor for complex financial and philanthropic endeavors.

R. Gordon Appleman's distinguished career and practice at Holland & Knight LLP are marked by several significant features and professional accolades:

• Extraordinary Length of Experience: Mr. Appleman received his Texas Bar License in September 1962, indicating over 60 years of continuous legal practice. This extensive tenure provides him with a unique historical perspective on the evolution of tax and estate laws and unparalleled practical experience in these fields.

• Board Certification/Specialization: While specific details of Board Certification were not available in the provided snippets for R. Gordon Appleman himself, his association with Holland & Knight LLP, a firm known for highly specialized attorneys, and his consistent recognition in specialized practice areas (Taxation, Wills-Trusts-Probate, Nonprofit Organizations) by entities like Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, signify a profound level of expertise. He was selected to Super Lawyers for Estate Planning & Probate, Nonprofit Organizations, and Tax Law from 2003-2018, and recognized in the "Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers" in 2003 and 2004.

• Prestigious Firm Affiliation: R. Gordon Appleman is Consulting Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, one of the largest and most respected law firms globally. This affiliation provides clients with access to vast resources, a broad network of legal professionals across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions, and the institutional backing of a firm consistently recognized for its excellence and diverse practice groups.

• Focus on Complex Tax and Estate Matters: His practice areas indicate a strong concentration on sophisticated tax planning, wealth preservation, and the intricacies of estate and trust administration. This makes him particularly well-suited for individuals, families, and organizations with high-value assets or complex financial structures.

• Active Community and Professional Involvement: Mr. Appleman's professional affiliations and community service are extensive, demonstrating his deep roots in Texas. He has served as Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Taxation Section, Director and Vice President of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Bar Association, and held leadership roles in numerous civic and educational organizations, including The University of Texas Foundation Inc., The Exchange Club of Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. This active engagement highlights his commitment to the broader community.

• Admitted to Federal Courts: His admissions include the U.S. Tax Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas Northern District Court, and Texas Western District Court, demonstrating his capability to represent clients in federal legal forums critical for tax and estate matters.

These features combine to present R. Gordon Appleman as an exceptionally experienced, highly reputable, and deeply connected legal professional, particularly for complex tax, estate, and nonprofit law needs in Texas.

Based on available public data from the State Bar of Texas and other professional profiles, R. Gordon Appleman (and Holland & Knight LLP generally) does not explicitly advertise specific "promotions" or "special offers" such as discounted rates or bundled services in the manner of a consumer-facing business. For legal professionals operating within a large, highly specialized firm like Holland & Knight LLP, the focus is typically on delivering premium legal expertise and value proportionate to the complexity of the cases they handle.

The State Bar of Texas profile for Mr. Appleman indicates "Fee Options Provided: None Reported By Attorney." This is common for attorneys specializing in complex areas like taxation and estate planning, where fees are often tailored to the specific needs and scope of each client's unique situation. However, it is standard practice for clients to engage in initial consultations to discuss their needs and understand the firm's billing practices. Prospective clients are encouraged to directly contact Holland & Knight LLP to inquire about their consultation process and fee arrangements for tax, estate, and nonprofit legal services.

For individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations in Fort Worth and across Texas seeking sophisticated legal counsel in taxation, estate planning, and related areas, R. Gordon Appleman, as Consulting Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, can be reached through the following contact details:

• Address: 777 Main St #3300, Fort Worth, TX 76102, USA

• Phone: (817) 347-1701

• Mobile Phone: +1 817-347-1701

These direct phone numbers connect to the Fort Worth office of Holland & Knight LLP, allowing prospective clients to inquire about Mr. Appleman's availability and expertise. When making contact, having a brief summary of your tax, estate, or nonprofit legal needs will help facilitate a more efficient and productive initial discussion.

For Texans, especially those in the Fort Worth area with complex financial, estate, or philanthropic legal needs, R. Gordon Appleman, serving as Consulting Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly distinguished choice for legal representation. His suitability for locals is deeply rooted in his unparalleled experience, specialized expertise, and the robust support of a globally recognized firm.

Firstly, Mr. Appleman's career spanning over six decades brings a historical depth of knowledge to tax and estate planning law that is virtually unmatched. This extensive experience means he has navigated countless legal changes and unique client situations, offering a level of seasoned wisdom that is invaluable for Texans seeking to manage their wealth, plan their estates, and ensure the longevity of their charitable endeavors. His focus on federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, alongside wills, trusts, and probate, directly addresses the sophisticated needs of affluent individuals, families, and complex nonprofit organizations within Texas.

Secondly, his affiliation with Holland & Knight LLP provides locals with access to the resources of a leading international law firm while benefiting from the personalized expertise of a deeply entrenched local professional. This combination offers both the breadth of a large firm and the focused attention of a highly respected individual practitioner. His consistent recognition by prestigious legal publications like Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America further assures Texans of his standing as a top-tier attorney in his specialized fields.

Finally, his deep involvement in various Fort Worth and Texas community organizations underscores his commitment to the region. This local connection, combined with his profound legal acumen and the institutional strength of Holland & Knight LLP, makes R. Gordon Appleman an outstanding and trustworthy choice for Texans seeking expert guidance on the most critical and complex aspects of their financial and estate planning future.