Biography
George Buffington has a broad tax and business practice. He specializes in business formation and succession, mergers and acquisitions and compensation and retirement planning. His advice focuses on optimizing benefits for owners and minimizing costs and complexity. George also offers estate planning services and assists with defending against governmental audits. George’s expertise is enhanced by his relationships with other attorneys across the nation who are tax, employee benefits and business law specialists.
George provides guidance to corporations (both C Corporations and S Corporations), partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and individuals primarily in personal services businesses. His clients include accountants, architects, attorneys, actuaries, third party administrators, banks, consultants, engineers, investment managers, physicians, real estate brokers and sales organizations.
Prior to joining Sideman, George was a partner at Buffington & Aaron, A Law Corporation, a boutique law firm in San Francisco, for over 40 years.
Experience
Business Ownership Planning
- Formation and operation of business entities
- Ownership transition and succession
- Family transfers
- Purchases and sales of businesses
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Resolution of disputes among owners
Compensation and Equity Planning
- Deferred compensation arrangements (409A)
- Executive compensation plans
- Equity compensation plans
- Stock option plans
- Supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs)
- Severance pay plans
- Pension, profit sharing, cash balance and other retirement plans
Defending and Resolving Government Audits
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) – income tax issues
Estate Planning
- Plan for transfers of businesses, real property interests and other assets to family members
- Prepare customized estate plans, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills and powers of attorney
- Prepare beneficiary designations for retirement plans, IRAs and insurance policies
Professional Involvement
Martindale-Hubbell AV 5.0 Peer Review Rating, based on his high legal ability and ethical standards as judged by his peers
Certified Specialist, Taxation Law, California Board of Legal Specialization
Named a San Francisco Super Lawyer in Taxation
Member, Board of Directors for the Small Business Counsel of America, an advocacy group for small business in Washington D.C.
Member, State Bar of California Taxation Section
Member, Bar Association of San Francisco Taxation and Labor and Employment Sections
Adjunct Professor of pension plan courses for Golden Gate University Graduate Tax Program, 1989 and 1993
Education
- George Washington University Law School J.D., with honors
- Boston University B.A. cum laude
Admissions
- California
- • Washington D.C. (Inactive)