Christopher G. Stevenson

Attorney

Christopher G. Stevenson

Attorney

Phone: 207.253.0515 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: cstevenson@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Danielle Satterfield Email: dsatterfield@dwmlaw.com

About

Chris Stevenson is a tax attorney and Co-Leader of the Business Services practice group, who advises clients on a wide range of federal and state tax compliance issues and tax controversies before taxing authorities. Also a Certified Public Accountant, Chris delivers exceptional value to his clients, who are looking for practical, comprehensible and efficient solutions to complex legal problems.

In his transactional tax practice, Chris frequently advises businesses on the tax aspects of mergers, acquisitions.  He also works with nonprofits on organizational and operational compliance with federal tax rules, as well as establishing joint ventures with for profit entities.  Chris regularly represents individuals and businesses before the IRS, as well as state taxing authorities. He’s had repeat success in securing waivers of large civil penalties from the IRS, in some cases for assessments in excess of $1,000,000.

Chris regularly advises Tribal Nations on wide-ranging federal, state, and tribal tax matters, including the establishment of tax-qualified general welfare programs, compliance with the ACA, and the implementation of tribal tax ordinances and associated preemption of state tax laws. He has assisted Tribal Nations in issuing tax-exempt tribal economic development bonds to finance expansive economic development projects, and implementing IHS purchased referred care programs under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

Chris also has extensive experience counseling businesses, nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and public employers on qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, health plans, and other employee benefit arrangements. Chris assists employers in drafting retirement plan and health plan documents, and navigating IRS and DOL retirement plan voluntary correction programs. He’s also a leading expert in Affordable Care Act compliance for large employers, and is frequently invited to present at the local and national levels on tax and employee benefit topics.

Chris enjoys spending time with his family and friends, skiing and playing racquet sports. He also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Maine Tax Forum and as a Little League Baseball Coach.

Education

University of Maine School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007

University of Vermont, B.S., 2001

Recognition

Best Lawyers USA, Tax Law

New England Super Lawyers, Tax, Employee Benefits, Rising Star

Chambers and Partners, USA Guide, Maine, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Band 2

Publications

Maine’s Dynasty Trust Statute: the Product of an Informed Judgment?, Maine Bar Journal

Application of §105(h) Nondiscrimination Rules to Fully Insured Health Plans, National School Board Association Inquiry and Analysis

Memberships

Maine Bar Association

Maine Society of CPAs

Community / Public Service

Maine Tax Forum
Advisory Committee

Little League Baseball Coach

Oceanside Conservation Trust
Former Director and Treasurer

Past Presentations

From May 22, 2024

2024 Compensation and Benefits Summit in New York, presented by National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA)

From October 18, 2024 9:00 am

Maine School Business Officials 11th Annual Law Seminar

From June 3, 2024 9:00 am

Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification Summit – June

From May 6, 2024 9:00 am

Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) II Certification Summit – May

From February 26, 2024 9:00 am

Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) II – February

From November 3, 2023 9:00 am

Maine School Business Officials 10th Annual Law Seminar

From October 7, 2022 9:00 am

Maine School Business Officials 9th Annual Law Seminar

From October 15, 2021 9:00 am

Maine School Business Officials 8th Annual Law Seminar-ZOOM Edition

From October 9, 2020 12:00 pm

Maine School Business Officials 7th Annual Law Seminar

From October 4, 2019 12:00 pm

Maine School Business Officials 6th Annual Law Seminar

From January 10, 2018 9:00 am

How to Survive an IRS Audit

From November 9, 2017 12:00 pm

Maine School Business Officials 4th Annual Law Seminar

From September 6, 2017 12:00 pm

Three Laws Employers Frequently Violate Without Knowing It