BEAUFORT "SHAWN" MARTIN
Summary
Legal professional with strong foundation in corporate law and regulatory compliance, ready to deliver impactful legal strategies. Proven ability to navigate complex legal landscapes while fostering collaborative team environments. Known for keen analytical skills and adaptability to evolving legal challenges.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate General Counsel
Empower Brands Franchising, LLC
01.2023 - 02.2025
- Company Overview: Franchisor consists of 10 industry-leading commercial and residential brands servicing homes and businesses across North America.
- Engaged outside counsel and managed litigation matters.
- Provided legal advice and support to Brand Presidents and Accounting.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated various contracts, including Master Service Agreements and Statements of Work, National Service Agreements, Purchase and Sale Agreements, other material agreements, and Non-Disclosure Agreements, including amendments.
- Oversaw contract management inbox and responded to inquiries received.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement and maintain compliance programs.
- Developed collection process to obtain past due franchisee fees from franchisees that existed the system.
- Reviewed work performed by Director of Corporate and Franchise Administration with respect to franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements, franchise resales, amendments to franchise agreements and corporate administration.
- Drafted and reviewed franchise agreements to ensure compliance with legal standards and organizational policies.
- Provided legal guidance on intellectual property matters, facilitating brand protection strategies for franchising initiatives.
- Conducted risk assessments related to franchise operations, identifying potential legal issues and recommending solutions.
Corporate Counsel
JTH TAX LLC D/B/A LIBERTY TAX SERVICE
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: Franchisor and operator of a system of income tax preparation offices located in the U.S. and Canada.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated vendor agreements, service agreements, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-compete agreements and software license agreements.
- Served as lead counsel in the acquisition and dissolution of accounting firms that comprise 360 Accounting Solutions, LLC.
- Provided advice on the structure of insurance program and handling of insurance claims.
- Enhanced standard form agreements and legal processes with respect to acquisitions and franchisee lending.
- Developed, implemented, and updated Contract Review and Approval Policy.
- Provided ongoing legal advice with respect to credit facility.
- Reviewed and approved advertising/marketing materials for legal compliance.
- Assisted in management of intellectual property portfolio, securing copyright and trademark registrations.
- Prepared annual FTC required Franchise Disclosure Document and amend as necessary.
Corporate Counsel
PRA GROUP, INC.
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: NASDAQ-traded full-service provider of outsourced receivables management and related services.
- Managed contracts entered into with a wide variety of vendors by various departments throughout the company, including negotiating terms and conditions, ensuring compliance with company policies, and minimizing risks to the company.
- Negotiated, reviewed and drafted leases, working closely with the company's facilities director and real estate broker, to make certain leases meet the particular needs of the company and are negotiated on favorable terms.
- Collaborated with insurance broker on the design and management of the company's insurance program, including conducting on-going discussions about existing claims, managing certain risk exposures, and evaluating enhancements to the insurance program.
- Lead point of contact for Claims Compensation Bureau, LLC subsidiary that provides third-party monitoring and filing of class action claims.
- Provided legal and tax assistance in connection with worker classification audit, 1099-C reporting, mergers and acquisitions and related transactions.
- Maintained and updated the following company policies: Contract Review and Approval, Document Retention, Red Flag Rules.
- Advised on corporate governance matters, enhancing operational efficiency and risk management strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop internal policies aligned with industry standards.
Associate
HIRSCHLER FLEISCHER, PC
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: Mid-size full-service law firm with offices in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia.
- Prepared applications for favorable determination for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”), including amending and restating plan documents, drafting summary plan descriptions and modifications, completing applicable IRS forms, and working with representatives from the IRS to make conforming amendments; and counseled ESOP companies with respect to general corporate and ESOP administration matters.
- Advised clients on a broad range of tax matters, including valuation controversies, tax accounting issues, capitalization and depreciation of capital assets, employee/independent contractor classifications, sales of stock and assets, tree-free exchanges, choice of entity, cancellation of debt income, and estate planning.
- Drafted and negotiated business contracts of all types, including acquisition agreements ranging from $250,000 to $10,000,000, shareholder and operating agreements, employment and separation agreements, non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, broad-based equity compensation plans, and wrap-around health and welfare plans.
- Negotiated, prepared and recorded conservation easements to conserve real property and generate federal and state tax deductions and credits, including assistance with the sale and transfer of tax credits.
- Researched and prepared memoranda of law related to general business, corporate and tax matters.
Senior Associate, Tax Products Delivery Group
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Company Overview: Major accounting and consulting firm with offices world wide.
- Advised prominent clients (General Electric, United Parcel Services, Rohm & Haas, Honeywell International, Ford Motor, and Novartis) on tax implications of their operations to obtain optimal tax minimization strategy.
- Researched case law, Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, Revenue Procedures and Revenue Rulings to formulate tax strategy and prepare memoranda of law.
- Managed project management responsibilities, including reviewing Associate work product, assigning projects to Associates, and preparing and distributing project status reports to team leaders.
- Conducted extensive interviews with corporate tax departments and clients.
- Consulted on specialized projects designed to implement tax savings generating on average of $10,000,000 in after-tax benefits, including review of source documents, Phase I tax optimization analysis, after-tax present value of tax savings calculation, computation of Section 481(a) adjustment and preparation of Form 3115.
- Contributed to practice development through mentoring and recruiting personnel, developing project implementation tools, researching and drafting standardized engagement letters, and playing lead role on Diversity Committee.
Education
Juris Doctor -
WILLIAM AND MARY SCHOOL OF LAW
Williamsburg, VAMasters of Accountancy - undefined
VIRGINIA TECH
Bachelors of Arts - Accounting
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
Skills
- Contract drafting
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Data privacy
- Litigation management
Certification
Certified Public Accountant Examination, Virginia State Bar, U.S. Tax Court
Publications
- Treatment of S Corporation Distributions - Traps and Planning Opportunities, Practical Tax Lawyer, May 2009
- Is Your TIC LLC Subject to Franchise Tax in a Foreign Jurisdiction?, Hirschler Fleischer Client Alert, July 2007
- Maintaining Tax Privilege to Documents and Legal Advice in Light of FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, American Bar Association, Section of Taxation, NewsQuarterly, Spring 2007
- The Virginia Law on Unclaimed Property, Hirschler Fleischer Client Alert, March 2007
- SEC Expands Form 8-K Disclosure Requirements and Accelerated Filing Date, Hirschler Fleischer Client Alert, July 2004
Timeline
Associate General Counsel
Empower Brands Franchising, LLC
01.2023 - 02.2025
Corporate Counsel
JTH TAX LLC D/B/A LIBERTY TAX SERVICE
01.2016 - 01.2023
Corporate Counsel
PRA GROUP, INC.
01.2010 - 01.2016
Associate
HIRSCHLER FLEISCHER, PC
01.2005 - 01.2009
Senior Associate, Tax Products Delivery Group
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
01.1999 - 01.2002
Masters of Accountancy - undefined
VIRGINIA TECH
Bachelors of Arts - Accounting
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
Juris Doctor -
WILLIAM AND MARY SCHOOL OF LAW
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