Assistant Information

Lori L. Matherly

lori.matherly@wallerlaw.com (615) 850-8884

A "go-to" tax advisor for businesses and the tax attorney clients want on their deal team

From large publicly traded companies to start-up companies, Don Stuart brings a creative approach to solving complex tax and business issues for clients. Business owners, general counsel, in-house tax officers and others rely on Don for his keen ability to not only navigate the tax laws and find practical and understandable solutions but to also follow through and implement them.

In healthcare transactions, Don provides a vital perspective on the nuance and complexity of the tax laws and their impact on how a transaction is structured for both investor-owned and tax-exempt healthcare organizations. Clients benefit from Don's business, legal and tax advice in transactional matters as well as ongoing operations.

Clients particularly admire his ability to follow through and implement a plan that works best for them.

Don's extensive experience with for-profit companies includes transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, IPOs, liquidations and dispositions, spin-offs and tax-free reorganizations.

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations call on Don for assistance in a variety of matters, including board governance, conflicts of interest, joint ventures, intermediate sanctions, tax-exemption applications and Form 990 issues. In the nonprofit healthcare arena, Don has broad experience with the Section 501(r) requirements for tax-exempt hospitals.  From community health needs assessments to financial assistance policies to billing and collection limitations, Don counsels hospital organizations on navigating and complying with these 501(r) requirements.

Don also advises clients on limited liability companies, partnerships, private equity and venture capital financings, REITs and "S" corporations. He represents clients before the IRS and state tax authorities in tax audits and appeals, and in obtaining letter rulings. 

Businesses look to Don as the best tax person for the deal and look to him as part of their team.

Don previously served as the Chair of the Tax and Finance Practice Group of the American Health Law Association.

Don has also spoken to various organizations and professional groups on tax-related topics and written for numerous publications.

Related Experience

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News & Insights

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  • Related Services
  • Education
    • LL.M., University of Florida, Taxation, 1997
      • Graduate Editor - Florida Tax Review
    • J.D., cum laude, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1995
      • Assistant Editor - Thomas M. Cooley Law Review
    • B.S., Bradley University, 1987
  • Bar Admissions
    • Tennessee
    • Michigan
  • Recognitions
    • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings)
      • Tax Law, 2020-2023
      • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2022-2023
    • American Health Law Association
      • Chair, Tax and Finance Practice Group (2015 - 2017)
  • Professional Involvement
    • Member, Nashville, Tennessee and Michigan Bar Associations
    • Member, American Bar Association, including Sections of Taxation and Health Law, Corporate Tax Committee, Exempt Organizations Committee, Tax and Accounting Interest Group
    • Member, American Health Law Association, including Tax and Finance Practice Group
    • Former Vice Chair (2008-2014), American Health Law Association, Tax and Finance Practice Group
    • Chapter Co-Author, The ACO Handbook: A Guide to Accountable Care Organizations, Second Edition
    • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, AHLA Federal Healthcare Laws & Regulations
    • Member, IRS Great Lakes Area Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Council
  • Community Involvement
    • Former Member, Board of Directors of High Hopes Inclusive Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic
    • Former Member, Franklin Tomorrow, Business Strategy Group committee member
  • Up Close
    Don enjoys traveling the globe. He is a classic car aficionado and enjoys auto racing. Don also enjoys all types of live music events.

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