Tax Forum with McLane Middleton

John Rich Jr.

John is a director and chair of McLane Middleton’s Tax Department. He advises clients regarding compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA and other complex federal laws applicable to employee benefit plans. John has extensive experience in helping clients assess and manage fiduciary liability and litigation risks associated with retirement and employee health and welfare plans. John frequently represents clients before the IRS and United States Department of Labor in audits and investigations and represents clients in litigation involving employee benefit plans. He provides advice to employers regarding all forms of executive compensation and health and welfare plans. John also advises executives concerning stock options, compensation issues and estate planning involving IRAs and retirement benefits.

Amy Drake

Amy is an attorney practicing in the Tax Department. Amy has advised business, individuals, and tax-exempt clients on a wide variety of tax-related topics, including corporate taxation, partnership taxation, international tax and treaty issues, state and local taxation, estate planning and employee benefits. Amy has represented clients in a broad range of complex corporate and partnership transactions, including taxable and tax-free reorganizations and spin-offs, corporate liquidations and redemptions, S corporation tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, and entity formations. She has assisted clients with business succession planning including the use of tax-advantages complex estate planning vehicles. In addition, Amy has represented pro bono clients in the IRS offer-in compromise program and negotiated a settlement for a pro bono client with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

John Rich Jr.

John is a director and chair of McLane Middleton’s Tax Department. He advises clients regarding compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA and other complex federal laws applicable to employee benefit plans. John has extensive experience in helping clients assess and manage fiduciary liability and litigation risks associated with retirement and employee health and welfare plans. John frequently represents clients before the IRS and United States Department of Labor in audits and investigations and represents clients in litigation involving employee benefit plans. He provides advice to employers regarding all forms of executive compensation and health and welfare plans. John also advises executives concerning stock options, compensation issues and estate planning involving IRAs and retirement benefits.

Josh Sandler

Josh is a member of McLane Middleton’s Tax Department. He advises a wide range of clients—from large businesses to families and individuals—on both tax disputes and planning. Josh resolves tax disputes with the IRS in the audit, appeals, Tax Court, collections, and private ruling contexts. He helps clients navigate complex long-term planning and transactions involving federal and state tax issues, tax-exempt organizations, strategic mergers & acquisitions, private investments, taxable and tax-free structures, and more.

Lawrence Gagnon

Lawrence, as Revenue Counsel for the NH Department of Revenue Administration, advises the Department on all tax and legal matters. He is a licensed attorney in NH and MA as well as a Certified Public Accountant (MA). He started his professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Boston, MA and then as a Senior Tax Analyst for American Tower Corp. More recently and prior to joining the DRA, he worked in Civil Litigation for the NH Department of Justice litigating cases on behalf of the State including Tax Appeals and challenges to DRA enforcement. Lawrence continues to advise on audits, collections, and handles tax litigation on behalf of the Department in Administrative Hearings, before the State’s Board of Tax and Land Appeals, and alongside the NH DOJ in the Courts.

Fred Coolbroth

Frederick Coolbroth, Jr., JD, is the director of the Audit Division of the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Prior to state service, Coolbroth worked in private practice, primarily in the areas of tax, corporate and environmental law, with a particular focus on renewable and alternative energy. He was previously chair of both the Taxation Section and the Corporation, Business & Banking Law Section of the NH Bar Association and also served in various officer and director roles in the American Red Cross and was a cofounder and vice president of Concord 250.

Josh Sandler

Josh is a member of McLane Middleton’s Tax Department. He advises a wide range of clients—from large businesses to families and individuals—on both tax disputes and planning. Josh resolves tax disputes with the IRS in the audit, appeals, Tax Court, collections, and private ruling contexts. He helps clients navigate complex long-term planning and transactions involving federal and state tax issues, tax-exempt organizations, strategic mergers & acquisitions, private investments, taxable and tax-free structures, and more.

Leanne Scott

Leanne Scott is a Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal Tax in Boston, where she advises businesses and individuals on complex U.S. state and local tax matters. Scott specializes in income and franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, and sales and use taxes, with experience spanning consulting, planning, compliance, and tax controversy matters. With more than 20 years of state and local tax experience, she has worked with clients across a wide range of industries, addressing both domestic and inbound tax issues.

Scott brings a well-rounded perspective to her work, having held leadership roles in public accounting and in-house tax environments. Prior to joining Alvarez & Marsal, she served as State and Local Tax Leader at a regional Boston accounting firm and previously was State and Local Tax Director for a large insurance and financial services organization. She has also worked with national and global accounting firms throughout her career and is a frequent public speaker on state and local tax topics.

Scott earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, and her LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar and is actively involved with several professional organizations, including the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Advisory Council and MassCPAs.

John Weaver

John is a director and chair of McLane Middleton’s Artificial Intelligence Practice Group. His practice includes conducting risk assessments of AI systems, advising clients concerning AI policies and best practices, and counseling clients regarding emerging legal and practical issues in AI. John also serves on the steering committee for the American Bar Association’s Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute. He is the author of Robots Are People Too: How Siri, Google Car, and Artificial Intelligence Will Force Us to Change Our Laws, a contributing writer at Slate focusing on legal issues implicated by AI and autonomous devices, and a columnist for and member of the board of editors of The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law. His current project at The Journal is an examination of the essential principles of Constitutional rights and how they apply to AI.

Paige Yeater

Paige Yeater serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Mainstay Technologies, where she’s responsible for building a high-performing business rooted in operational excellence and infused with cybersecurity at every level. Under her leadership, security is not just a function, it’s part of the company’s DNA. With a career rooted in intentional growth and driven by a personal philosophy that leadership is about unlocking potential in others, Paige fosters a culture where growth, trust, and even failing forward are welcomed as part of the journey. Her career has been shaped by a willingness to take smart risks, seek out continuous learning, and leave every team, project, and process better than she found it. Paige holds an MBA from The Citadel, is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and is a Registered Practitioner (RP) through the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB). She was the 2021 NHTA Tech Professional of the Year, and is a 2022 graduate of Leadership NH. Beyond her executive roles, Paige serves on the board of the NH Tech Alliance and is the Board Chair for Leveling the Fields. Her most cherished role, however, is being a mom to two teenagers who inspire her daily.

Pat Closson

Patrick is a Director in the firm’s Corporate Department. He is a corporate and transactional lawyer who helps clients form, grow, and sell their businesses, and works with his clients to solve challenging problems with practical solutions. Patrick works with clients in five main areas: general corporate law, healthcare law matters, mergers and acquisitions, complex contracts, and succession planning. Throughout his career, Patrick has represented private companies and their owners on a wide variety of corporate law matters including entity formation, private security offerings, negotiation of complex contracts and general corporate governance. He continues to serve as outside general counsel for private companies throughout New England.

Mitchell Stagnone

Mitchell is a referring advisor at TSWM Advisory Group. Mitch began his career with Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur CPA’s P.C. in 2012, and his dedication and expertise lead to him becoming a partner in 2022. Within the firm, he has emerged as one of the prominent leaders in the automotive retail niche, specializing in various aspects of dealership operations. His areas of expertise encompass audit and attest services, tax planning and preparation, consulting, and mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on franchise and independent dealerships. His comprehensive understanding of the automotive industry enables him to provide valuable insights and guidance to his clients. Mitchell is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also associated with Auto Team America and is involved with both the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Beyond his professional involvements, Mitchell Stagnone contributes to his community through his service on the board of the Valley Court Diversion Program and the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association Education board. These roles demonstrate his commitment to making a positive impact beyond his professional endeavors.