Bass Berry & Sims Plc: Sontag Michael D

Bass Berry & Sims Plc: Sontag Michael D Introduce

In the dynamic and ever-evolving legal landscape of Tennessee, having access to experienced and reputable legal counsel is paramount, whether for an individual, a family, or a business. For Nashville residents, understanding the expertise available at firms like Bass Berry & Sims Plc is essential for making informed decisions about complex legal matters. This article offers an overview of the services and professional attributes of Michael D. Sontag, a distinguished attorney at the firm. His work is particularly focused on helping clients with sophisticated trusts and estates, tax, and business-related legal challenges.

Michael D. Sontag is a member of the prestigious law firm Bass Berry & Sims Plc and serves as the chair of the firm's Trusts & Estates Practice Group. With nearly four decades of experience, he has a long-standing reputation for working closely with a diverse range of clients, including individuals, fiduciaries, wealth advisors, businesses, trustees, and beneficiaries. His approach is characterized by providing strategic and financial guidance that is both empathetic and honest. This is especially important for clients who may feel vulnerable about their financial future and need a trusted advisor to help them transform that uncertainty into confidence.

Bass Berry & Sims Plc is a well-established law firm with a rich history in Tennessee, providing a wide array of legal services to clients across the region and beyond. The firm's culture is centered on delivering highly effective legal advice and innovative, business-focused solutions. They are known for their commitment to a client-centered approach, where every legal team is carefully assembled to provide tailored knowledge and solutions that align with the unique objectives of their clients. This dedication to superior client service is a core tenet of the firm and is reflected in the work of attorneys like Michael D. Sontag.

Choosing a lawyer is a significant decision, particularly when dealing with matters of wealth, succession, and taxation. The right attorney provides not just legal representation but also sound judgment and a long-term perspective. This guide aims to shed light on the professional expertise of Michael D. Sontag and the resources available at Bass Berry & Sims Plc, helping Nashville residents and businesses understand how this particular legal practice can address their specialized needs. The information provided is based on publicly available data and is intended to be a factual, helpful resource.

The importance of local knowledge cannot be overstated in the legal field. An attorney who is deeply familiar with Tennessee's state and local tax laws, as well as the specific regulations governing trusts and estates, can provide a significant advantage to their clients. This local insight, combined with extensive experience, allows for the development of effective legal strategies that are both efficient and tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. For anyone in the Nashville area considering legal counsel for these specific issues, this level of specialized expertise is a critical factor to consider.

Location and Accessibility

The Nashville office of Bass Berry & Sims Plc is located at 315 Deaderick St Suite 2700, Nashville, TN 37238, USA. This prominent address places the firm in a central and easily accessible part of downtown Nashville. The location is convenient for clients who need to meet with their legal team or attend meetings in the city's business district.

For all clients, accessibility is a priority. The building features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that all visitors can enter the premises without difficulty. In addition, there is a wheelchair-accessible parking lot available, which removes a major potential barrier for individuals with mobility challenges. The firm’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment is further supported by the presence of a wheelchair-accessible restroom. These features demonstrate a thoughtful approach to client care, ensuring that the physical space is as accommodating as the professional services.

Services Offered

As an attorney at Bass Berry & Sims Plc, Michael D. Sontag focuses on several key areas of practice, primarily within the realm of trusts, estates, and taxation. His expertise includes:

Trusts and Estates: This is a core area of his practice. He provides strategic guidance to high-net-worth individuals and families on business succession, wealth transfer, and charitable planning. His work involves creating and customizing estate plans that are unique to each client's individual, family, and business needs. He handles everything from asset protection to ensuring fair tax treatment for estates.
State and Local Tax: Michael Sontag advises clients on a wide variety of tax disputes. He is well-versed in navigating issues related to Tennessee's sales and use tax, franchise and excise taxes, business tax, and property taxes. He works to address these issues through cost-effective and efficient approaches that may help clients avoid litigation.
Regulatory and Administrative Proceedings: He represents clients in administrative proceedings and before bodies such as the State Board of Equalization. This representation is crucial for contesting property tax assessments and disputing actions taken by the Department of Revenue, providing clients with a strong advocate in front of administrative law judges.
Business Law: His services also extend to the confidential and sophisticated business needs of his clients. He helps businesses with their long-term planning, ensuring they have the legal foundation to protect their financial achievements and navigate complex commercial issues.

Features and Highlights

The practice of Michael D. Sontag at Bass Berry & Sims Plc is distinguished by a number of notable features.

Decades of Experience: With nearly 40 years of experience, Michael Sontag brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to his practice. His long-standing dedication to his craft has successfully helped clients protect their financial achievements and appropriately avoid significant tax impositions, making him a trusted figure in his field.
Professional Accolades: Michael Sontag is a member of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel (ACTEC) and has been recognized as a top-rated attorney by Super Lawyers for many years. He has also been recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide, which is a testament to his expertise in private wealth law and his standing among the go-to attorneys for high and ultra-high net worth families.
Accessibility: The firm’s location and facilities are designed with client convenience in mind. The presence of a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom demonstrates a strong commitment to serving all clients equitably, a critical consideration for a professional service provider in today's environment.
Personalized Service: The firm recommends appointments for all consultations. This approach ensures that each client receives dedicated and focused attention, allowing for a thorough and thoughtful discussion of their unique legal needs without rushing the process. It is a sign of a professional practice that values quality and detail.

Contact Information

To learn more or to schedule a consultation regarding your legal needs, you can use the following contact information.

Address: 315 Deaderick St Suite 2700, Nashville, TN 37238, USA

Phone: (615) 742-6260

What is Worth Choosing

For residents of Tennessee, particularly in the Nashville region, choosing the right attorney to handle trusts, estates, and tax-related matters is a decision that can have a lasting impact on your family’s financial security and legacy. The practice of Michael D. Sontag at Bass Berry & Sims Plc stands out for several reasons that make it a compelling choice.

First, the sheer depth of expertise is a primary factor. Michael Sontag is not a generalist; his decades-long career is focused almost exclusively on the intricate and often sensitive areas of trusts, estates, and tax law. This specialization means that clients are not just getting an attorney; they are getting a recognized authority who is deeply familiar with the nuances of Tennessee’s legal framework for these specific issues. His role as the chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group is a clear indicator of his leadership and expertise in the field.

Second, the firm's client-centric philosophy is highly valuable. The firm and Michael Sontag's approach is designed to transform client vulnerability into confidence. This is achieved through honest communication, a strategic mindset, and a genuine effort to understand each client’s individual needs. For matters involving family wealth and legacy, this personal connection and trust are as important as the legal knowledge itself. Clients are not treated as just another case, but as individuals whose personal and financial achievements need to be protected.

Third, the firm's reputation and size provide a significant advantage. As part of Bass Berry & Sims Plc, a firm with a national reputation and deep local roots, Michael Sontag can leverage a wide network of resources and collective knowledge. This means that even the most complex or multi-faceted legal problems can be addressed with a comprehensive and integrated approach. The firm’s established history since 1922 and its commitment to excellence speak to its stability and reliability in a professional environment.

Finally, the practical considerations of accessibility and a professional environment should not be overlooked. The wheelchair-accessible facilities at the downtown Nashville office demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and client comfort. The recommendation of appointments also underscores a dedication to providing each client with the time and attention their case deserves. These are all elements that contribute to a positive and effective professional relationship.

In summary, for those in Tennessee who require sophisticated and specialized legal counsel for matters of wealth, legacy, and taxation, the choice of Michael D. Sontag at Bass Berry & Sims Plc offers a combination of profound experience, a client-first approach, and the robust backing of a leading law firm, making it an excellent option for navigating complex legal waters with confidence.