Leslie J. Barnett

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601 Bayshore Boulevard, Suite 700
Tampa, Florida 33606
Phone: (813) 253-2020 ext. 108
Fax: (813) 251-6711

Les established a solo practice in 1975 to provide sophisticated tax advice to the Tampa community from a small-firm setting—a unique concept at the time. The concept worked well, and the firm flourished.
Les has continued his academic approach to the practice of law, integrating a high level of ethics and professionalism that is maintained by all of the members of the firm.
He continues to lead the firm’s business succession planning group and provides tax planning for high net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and closely held business owners. He listens carefully to the needs of his clients and uses a common-sense approach to provide solutions to the problems presented.

Professional and community leader

While maintaining a full-time practice, Les has held many leadership roles, both professionally and in the community, including serving as:
• Chairman of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar
• President of the Tampa Bay Estate Planning Council
• Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Florida Law Center Association, Inc.
He also has served in various capacities in many other organizations involved in communal and philanthropic activities, particularly those focused on education and health care. He has authored many articles and speaks frequently on various tax and estate planning topics, and he has been recognized on a national basis by many organizations for his professional expertise.

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Business Law
  • Tax Law
  • Tax Litigation & Controversy
  • Trusts & Estates

RECOGNITION

  • Tampa Orlando Pinellas (“TOP”) Jewish Foundation Distinguished Trustee Award (2018)
  • The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, and Non-Profit / Charities Law (37 consecutive years)
  • Florida Legal Elite (wills, trusts & estates), Florida Trend Magazine
  • Chambers USA – America’s Leading Business Lawyers, tax & estate planning
  • Florida Super Lawyers (tax) (2006 – 2020)
  • AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell

EDUCATION

  • University of Florida (B.A., 1968; J.D., with honors, 1971). Order of the Coif; Phi Kappa Phi.
  • New York University (LL.M., in Taxation, 1972)
  • Executive Editor, University of Florida Law Review (1970-1971)

ADMISSIONS

  • The Florida Bar (1971)
  • U.S. Tax Court (1973)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (2019)
  • Tampa Bay Estate Planning Council (President, 1981-1982)
  • Tax Advisory Committee to Finance and Tax Committee, Florida Legislature (1983-1984)
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • The Florida Bar (Member, Tax Section, Chairman, 1988-1989)
  • American Bar Association (Member, Tax Section)
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Board of Trustees, Hillsborough County Bar Foundation
  • Member, Hillsborough County Education Foundation – Professional Advisory Committee
  • Member, All Children’s Hospital Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee
  • Member, University Community Hospital Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee
  • Board of Trustees, Jewish Community Center, Tampa, FL (Executive Committee)
  • Board of Trustees, Tampa Jewish Federation, Tampa FL (Executive Committee and Annual Campaign Chairman)
  • Board of Directors Congregation Rodeph Shalom (Capital Campaign Chairman)
  • Board of Trustees, Tampa, Orlando, Pinellas Jewish Foundation, Inc. (Founding Board Member and President, 1983-1984)
  • Recipient, National Leadership Award, United Jewish Communities
  • Member, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc., Council of Professional Advisors
  • The Florida Bar, Continuing Legal Education lecturer on Tax Matters
  • Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Continuing Professional Education lecturer on Tax Matters

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Adjunct Professor of Law, Stetson University College of Law (2010)
  • University of Florida Law faculty (1971)

PUBLICATIONS

  • “Qualified Domestic Trusts – Proposed Regulations Fill the Gaps?,” The Florida Bar Journal, June 1993
  • “The Tax Reform Act of 1986: Its Impact Upon Divorce and Separation,” The Florida Bar Journal, January/February 1987
  • Co-Author: “Tax Aspects of Domestic Relations After TRA ’84,” The Florida Bar Journal, February-March 1985
  • “Sales and Use Taxes,” Florida State and Local Taxes, 1984
  • “Estate and Gift Tax Provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981,” The Florida Bar Journal, November 1981
  • “Tax Aspects of Domestic Relations,” Florida Dissolution of Marriage (Continuing Legal Education Manual), Supplement, March 1979
  • “Tax Aspects of Domestic Relations,” Barrister Journal of the American Bar Association, Spring 1976
  • “Tax Obligations of the Bankrupt,” Taxation for Accountants, October 1975, reprinted in Taxation for Lawyers, January/February 1976
  • “Recent Developments – Deductibility of Attorneys Fees,” American Bar Association Journal, June 1973
  • “Reallocation of Income under Section 482,” The Florida Bar Journal, November 1972
  • “The Corporation As a Partner – The Florida Change,” 23 University of Florida Law Review 621 (1971)
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