Professional Experience
Jim previously practiced law with Chattman, Gaines & Stern, L.P.A. for twenty-five years, where he served as a Managing Director and the Firm’s Chief Financial Officer.
His practice with Walter & Haverfield is focused on the business law and estate planning areas, including business organization and succession, personal and estate planning, and real estate transactions.
Areas Of Emphasis
- Jim is particularly experienced in assisting the entrepreneur in all aspects of business, including planning and formation, transactional matters, mergers and acquisitions, and transition of ownership and management. He considers himself a business consultant, as well as a legal advisor.
- Jim is also well-known for his skill as an estate planner for individuals, as well as the business owner, assisting families through the complex maze of issues, relating to estate/gift tax and property transfers. Mr. Mackey was recently certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as an Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Specialist, making him one of a small group of attorneys in Ohio to have earned this distinction.
Presentations
- "Estate Planning Basics" sponsored by the National Business Institute and held at the Forum Conference Center in downtown Cleveland, Ohio on June 11, 2009
- Jim was among the moderators at a National Business Institute seminar on "Marital Deduction Trusts: A Comprehensive Analysis" in Cleveland on June 12, 2008.
- Jim provided clients with answers to their sophisticated LLC questions at the NBI seminar, “Advanced LLC Issues,” which was held in Cuyahoga Falls on May 19, 2008 and again in Cleveland on May 20, 2008.
- "LLC Trends and Developments", National Business Institute Seminar, December 10, 2007.
- "Irrevocable Insurance Trust Planning", Lorman Education Services Second Annual Great Lakes Federal Tax Institute Seminar, April 12, 2006.
- "Partnerships, LLC's and LLP's: Organization and Operation in Ohio", Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Cleveland South in Independence, Ohio, December 1, 2005.
- "Advanced Tax Planning In Ohio: Planning For High Income Individuals", Clarion Hotel Conference Center Cleveland South in Independence, Ohio, November 16, 2005.
- “Advanced Estate Planning for the Elderly,” “Planning for Non-Citizens,” “Sale to a Grantor Trust and Variations,” and “Zeroed-Out Grantor Retained Annuity Trust,” Lorman Education Services, November 5, 2004.
- “Advanced Partnerships, LLCs and LLPs: Organization and Operations,” Lorman Education Services, September 9, 2004.
Professional & Community Associations
Jim is an active volunteer and a leader in community, charitable and social activities. He has served his alma mater, John Carroll University, as President of the National Alumni Association, a member of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Tax Advisory and Planned Giving Counsel and a member of the Presidential Search Committee.
Some of his community activities include:
- Center for Mental Retardation - Trustee
- National Hemophilia Foundation - Trustee
- Leadership Geauga County - Trustee
- St. Joan of Arc Parish - President of Parish Council, Chairman of the Building Campaign
Education
Cleveland State University, J.D., 1974
John Carroll University, B.A., 1971
Licensed to Practice
- Ohio
