JOSEPH C. SKALSKI
Joe received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Seton Hall University and his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University; in addition, he participated in the VIP program of NYU Stern. Before coming to Georgia in 2005, Joe practiced for fifteen years in Clearwater, Florida, as an attorney with Joseph C. Skalski, P.A., and a principal of Skalski & Clark, CPAs. Prior to that, he was a Tax Manager for a CPA firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as PWC in New York and Baltimore. He also worked for 10 years with an Atlanta-based CPA Firm, of which he became a Shareholder.
At home, Joe is married to Kim Skalski, the CEO of Skalski CPAs, a Dunwoody-based CPA firm with clients across North America. His hobbies include traveling, hiking, playing chess, and raising a pug and calico.
EXPERIENCE
- Advising on sophisticated real estate transactions, including forward and reverse 1031 exchanges, charitable trusts, land conservation, charitable contributions of real estate, capital gain structuring, and loan forgiveness issues.
- Counseling with respect to utilization of income tax reduction techniques.
- Optimizing entity structures and interrelationships with respect to corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, trusts, and available tax elections.
- Planning for estate and business succession in a manner that minimizes transfer taxes and protects assets against waste while maintaining peace in the family.
- Helping with the formation and maintenance of tax-exempt entities such as family foundations and other not-for-profits.
- Advocating for clients who encounter Internal Revenue Service challenges to their tax return positions by employing suitable tax defense strategies.
EDUCATION AND HONORS
- BA 1978 Seton Hall, Magna Cum Laude
- JD 1982 Georgetown, Beaudry Fellow
AFFILIATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
- Member of the board of directors of the Atlantic Coast Conservancy, Inc.
- Member of the board of directors of the Emerald Coast Conservancy, Inc.
- Past Treasurer for Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia
- Past Board Chair of Family Service, Inc.
- Past Board member Alliance for Children and Families
- Member of the American Bar Association
- Member of the American Academy of Attorneys/CPAs
- Member of the American Institute of CPAs
- Member of the Georgia Society of CPAs
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
- Bar in Georgia (2015)
- The U.S. Tax Court (1990)
- Bar in Florida (1989)
- Bar in Maryland (1984)
- Bar in New Jersey (1983)
- CPA in Georgia (2004)
- CPA in Florida (1987)
- CPA in Maryland (1984)
PUBLICATIONS
- The Tax Adviser
- ABA Technology and Practice Guide
- The Practical Accountant
- The Maryland Bar Journal
- Contributor to Federal Tax Aspects of Bankruptcy
PRESENTATIONS
- Natural Resources Conservancy
- National Business Institute
- Lorman Education Services
- Land Trust Alliance
- Adjunct Instructor with St. Petersburg College and Tampa College
- Adjunct Instructor with College of Notre Dame
- Legal Research and writing instructor Georgetown Law
CARMEN F. BURROUGHS
Carmen uses her dual skill set in law and accounting whether she is advising or advocating for her clients. Growing up in a large entrepreneurial family exposed her from an early age to various legal and financial issues that businesses and their owners had to navigate through. Carmen received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting from Queens College, City of New York, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Emory University School of Law. Prior to joining Skalski Law Firm, she worked as a CPA and a Trust officer. She brings her compassion and her knowledge to serving her clients.
In her spare time, Carmen loves to travel, to watch movies with her husband and son, and to volunteer at her church.
EXPERIENCE
- Transactional Taxation through the business life cycle from entity formation to dissolution; tax planning for acquisitions or dispositions of business interests; and tax consequences of contributions, redemptions, and distributions.
- International Taxation, including U.S. inbound and outbound transactions. Joint venture structures involving U.S. and Caribbean entities.
- Tax-Exempt Organizations, including formation of tax-exempt organizations, filing applications for recognition of federal tax-exempt status, and unrelated business income tax compliance.
- Estate Planning strategies for small and multi-million-dollar estates while minimizing transfer taxes and devising asset protection approaches.
- Tax Audits and Administrative Appeals, including advocating for individual and business clients in Internal Revenue Service examinations and other tax controversy matters; negotiating settlements on appeals.
AFFILIATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
- State Bar of Georgia Admission
- United States Tax Court Admission
- State of Georgia Certified Public Accountant
- Member of the American Bar Association
- Member of the American Academy of Attorneys-CPAs
- Member of the American Institute of CPAs
- Member of the Georgia Society of CPAs
EDUCATION AND HONORS
- Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, GA
- Juris Doctor Degree, May 1998 (concentration in Taxation and Business Law)
- Activities: NITA Trial Techniques Program, Truancy Intervention Project, Intra-school International Moot Court Competition, International Law Society, Black Law Student Association
- Queens College – CUNY, Flushing, NY
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting, Minor in Economics February 1993
- Honors & Activities: Dean’s List, CUNY/NY Board of Education Mentorship Program.
ELIZABETH KNOWLES
Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2007. While studying at the University of Georgia, she participated in the University Exchange Program by studying Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University in Lancaster, United Kingdom. After obtaining her degree, Elizabeth obtained her Paralegal Certificate from Emory University in 2011.
Elizabeth has been working in the legal field ever since her graduation from the University of Georgia. She has spent her career working in a variety of legal areas, including contract law, estate planning, commercial real estate transactions, and corporate formations.
Elizabeth previously worked for Joseph Skalski during their time at an Atlanta CPA firm where she assisted Mr. Skalski with projects relating to 501(c)(3) applications and formations, business succession planning, estate planning, financial planning, business formations, and the placement of conservation easements on tracts of undeveloped land. In late 2016, she joined Skalski Law Firm to work alongside Mr. Skalski again and assist clients with their tax, business, and personal legal needs.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. When she’s not having lightsaber battles with her boys or trying out the latest RPG, she loves partaking in creative endeavors, such as painting, decorating, creating floral arrangements, and discovering new music.
EDUCATION
- University of Georgia, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
- Emory University, Paralegal Certificate
JESSICA BLACK
Jessica Black joined Skalski Law Firm, LLC in May 2017 bringing with her over 10 years of legal experience in commercial and residential real estate transactions, civil litigation, corporate formations, and bankruptcy law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University in 2009 and her paralegal certification from the University of Georgia in 2010. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, biking, exploring Atlanta, visiting with friends, going for hikes, and taking weekend afternoon naps with her children.
EDUCATION
- Georgia State University, Bachelor of Arts
- University of Georgia, Paralegal Certification
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Families for Safe Streets
- Path Foundation Atlanta
- Peachtree Creek Greenway
KELLEY SUE BAILEY
Kelley Sue was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. After living in Newnan, Ga. for 10 years she and her children made their way closer to Atlanta and to take advantage of its many opportunities. After owning her own photography business, Kelley Sue Photography, since 2003, teaching yoga to children and adults in the Public Library System, the Public School System, and teaching over twenty years in Art Education and Special Education, Kelley Sue found herself starting a farm and changing careers. She joined Skalski Law Firm, LLC in May 2022. She’s been the missing link in the Skalski team as our Legal Administrator and Billing Coordinator. In Kelley Sue’s off time, she enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, community, farming, photography, writing, reading, drawing & painting, local theatre, and travel.
EDUCATION
- B.F.A. in Art Education, Georgia State University
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Volunteer at Food4Lives
- Volunteer at Dance It Off
- Volunteer at ACT3 Productions
- Still Photographer for REFUGE, a local award-winning documentary about fear and love in the American South
- Photographer at Refuge Coffee Co.
- Past In-House Photographer for Grounded Kids Yoga
- Past In-House Photographer for On the Same Breath
- Past Homeschool Field Trip Coordinator at The High Museum of Art
- Past Photographer for The Arc Georgia
- Past Photographer for Camp Big Heart