Scott R. Kocienski

Member


Scott Kocienski is a business and real estate lawyer who excels at strategic tax planning. He counsels clients on entity selection and operating agreements, as well as merger, acquisition, and joint venture deals. But Scott’s real strength is unraveling tax-inefficient real estate and corporate structures to make them efficient.

Unfavorable tax situations create impediments to future transactions, making it harder for clients to achieve their business goals. With a background in the hard sciences, Scott has an aptitude for breaking down structures and solving problems, a talent he utilizes to help automotive OEMs and suppliers, manufacturers, healthcare providers, dental services organizations, and others navigate complicated tax laws and regulations.

Much of Scott’s work focuses on the tax aspects of sophisticated real estate development projects. He collaborates with clients on pursuing incentives and exemptions associated with historic preservation tax credits, new markets tax credits, equity investment in opportunity zones, and tax credit fund formation. Scott also negotiates financing arrangements and refinancing after unwinding.

On the corporate side, Scott advises companies on multistate income tax planning, audits, and business succession, including estate planning for business owners and executives. When tax controversies arise, he represents clients in tax tribunals, most at the state and local levels.

Clients depend on me to stay on top of tax trends and any benefits they offer. They want me to sweat the small stuff for them, and I’m happy to do it.
    • Wayne State University Law School, LL.M
    • Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
    • Western Michigan University, B.S., cum laude
  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    • Named to Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch" list for Tax Law, 2021-2023

    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star for Tax: Business, Business/Corporate, and Estate Planning & Probate, 2020-Present

    • State Bar of Michigan
    • American Bar Association
    • Association for Corporate Growth - Detroit

Latest News and Insights

Press Mentions6.3.24

"Taxes Take Center Stage In Pot Industry Amid Fed. Policy Shift"

Scott Kocienski was quoted in the Law360 Tax Authority article, "Taxes Take Center Stage In Pot…

Read More

Legal Alerts5.8.24

One Minute Matters [Video]: Why Eliminating Section 280E Won’t Solve All of the Cannabis Industry’s Tax Problems (with John Fraser and Scott Kocienski)

When the DEA proposed a reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III…

Read More

Blog Posts5.6.24

Even When Section 280E No Longer Applies to Cannabis Businesses, Another Tax Problem Will Remain

Much has been written over the last week about the recommendation by Attorney General Merrick…

Read More