Bio

Josh Gewolb brings a personal and practical approach to his representation of for-profit and nonprofit clients. He began his career as a traditional federal tax lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP, but in over a decade at Harter Secrest & Emery, his broad technical knowledge and experience and his pragmatic focus have resulted in the expansion of his practice areas. In his diverse practice, he provides a wide range of legal advice to a spectrum of clients, from individuals to small local enterprises to large publicly-traded corporations and nonprofit entities. Josh advises myriad nonprofit organizations, including small start-ups and large national foundations, on complex nonprofit and tax law issues. He often works at the nexus of tax and nonprofit law, providing valuable counsel on the unique issues presented by mergers, acquisitions, and strategic affiliations involving nonprofit organizations. Josh has a special expertise in the area of private foundations and serves corporate and family foundations nationwide. He develops close relationships with his nonprofit clients and many think of him as not just a lawyer, but as a member of the team helping to enhance their mission and effectuate their vision. Josh combines the intellectual approach associated with a large traditional tax practice with the practical problem-solving approach required for smaller entities, including helping clients resolve audits/controversies as quickly and efficiently as possible. Josh also looks at tax through the lens of state tax planning and guides clients through the unique issues presented by state tax law. Josh provides general corporate counsel to a wide range of clients, including emerging companies and design and other professionals. Josh’s practice frequently intersects with the trusts and estates practice, particularly as that practice relates to individuals associated with the organizations he counsels. Josh’s comments on the historic 2017 tax reform were featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Tax Daily Tax Report. He authors a column on tax matters, a blog on exempt organizations, and participates frequently in bar association reports. He is deeply engaged in current events in the law and has presented at the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and at numerous local events.