JUSTIN C. STEELE ESQ

Justin joined the firm in 2017 and has more than 16 years of experience advising clients on the tax impact of a variety of complex business transactions. As Chair of the Tax Department, he is responsible for directing the firm’s tax initiatives internally and for developing products and services for the Pittsburgh and Columbus tax practices.

Justin focuses his practice on business entity and private equity mergers and acquisitions. He regularly assists companies, sponsors and investors with structuring transactions to achieve the most tax efficient result. Justin also regularly acts as an outside Tax Director for his clients, assisting the management team with tax planning, tax compliance and reporting, and transactional matters.

Justin advises clients in diversified sectors, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and professional services.

Education

B.A. – Accounting, University of Pittsburgh
J.D. – Duquesne University School of Law

Professional and Community Involvement

Practice Unit Leader—Tax Advisory Services Department

Member—Allegheny County Bar Association – Taxation Section

Member—Schneider Downs SEC Practice Group

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Do you have a hobby or personal passion?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and son and boating on the Allegheny River.

 

What was the best advice you’ve ever received?

Treat everyone like a future client.

 

People would be surprised to know that I…….

Was interviewed twice on the Gretchen Carlson Show on Fox News.

 

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?

Helping my client’s understand the tax impact of business transactions.

 

What was your first job?

Bagging groceries and collecting shopping carts from the parking lot at the local Giant Eagle.

 

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?

Spend time with my son.

 

Do you have advice for young professionals?

Be a sponge.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Not-for-profit Client Out Of 401(k) Compliance.


Big Thinking: Allowing More Contributions By Highly Paid Employees.

Shareholder JASON LUMPKIN serves as a Practice Unit Leader for SDAdvantage Retirement Solutions. He has more than 17 years of qualified retirement plan experience, primarily serving middle market, closely held businesses. His background includes plan design, documentation reporting, participant education, and ongoing administration for defined contribution plans, including employee stock ownership plans.
While working with one of our non profit clients, Jason’s team discovered that the organization was failing non-discrimination testing due to poor 401(k) participation among its employees. To address the issue, we recommended the implementation of a second retirement plan, a 403(b) plan, that would cover only the highly paid employees, allowing them to contribute the maximum amounts without concern for the limits imposed by the 401(k) plan’s non-discrimination testing. “These top employees were no longer constrained by the limits of the 401(k) plan testing results,” Jason said. “Plus, the organization no longer had to be concerned about the non-discrimination test. We also avoided implementing a “safe harbor” design in the 401(k) plan, which can result in costly employer contributions and vesting provisions that favor short-term employees.” Schneider Downs provides Big Thinking and Personal focus in delivering a variety of services for large and small businesses, both publicly and privately held, as well as nonprofit organizations, government entities and more. Through our commitment to thought leadership and knowledge management, we deliver the solutions our clients need with a personal commitment to service.

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