JUSTIN C. STEELE ESQ

Justin serves as Chief Operating Officer of Schneider Downs, where he is responsible for leading the firm’s day-to-day operations and driving operational excellence across practices and service lines. In this role, he supports the firm’s continued growth and ensures the delivery of exceptional client service.

Justin joined the firm in 2017 and most recently served as Tax Practice Leader, where he guided the strategic direction of the firm’s tax services. He developed deep expertise advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on structuring middle market transactions for closely held businesses, private equity portfolio companies and their owners.

Justin continues to advise clients on M&A transactions in his role as COO, applying his tax and legal background to support deal structuring and execution. His experience leading a major practice area, combined with his technical expertise, informs his approach to firm leadership and client service.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Justin resides in Hampton with his wife and their two children.

Education

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

Professional and Community Involvement

Managing Shareholder – Tax

Member—Allegheny County Bar Association – Taxation Section

Treasurer—Hampton Youth Lacrosse Association

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Do you have a hobby or personal passion?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and children 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 children.

 

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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