Verne helps people take care of their families through personalized estate planning, represents individuals and businesses in tax controversy and tax collection matters, and assists professionals and small businesses in tax efficient corporate planning and transactions.
Verne leads the firms Columbia, South Carolina office. He and his wife, Marie, have two children and are active members of First Baptist Church.
Education
- LL.M. in Taxation – Boston University (2007)
- J.D. – University of South Carolina (2006)
- Int’l M.B.A. – University of South Carolina (2006)
- B.A. – Appalachian State University (2002)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association (Member)
- South Carolina Bar:
- Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Section (Member)
- Tax Law Section (Member-Past Chairperson)
- Richland County Bar Association (Member)
- Columbia Estate Planning Council (Member)
Awards and Honors
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2023 in the fields of:
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
- Legal Elite of the Midlands Award Recipient (2013-Present)
- 2022 Top Vote Recipient in the Midlands for Corporate Law – Mergers & Acquisitions
Publications and Presentations
- “Business Planning for Tax & Liability Issues”, S.C. Green Industry Association (2020)
- “Business Succession Planning”, S.C. Association of CPA’s (2019)
- “Asset Protection for South Carolina Estate Planners”, South Carolina Bar Convention (2018)
- “Business Tax Items from Tax Reform”, S.C. Association of CPA’s (2018)
- “Internal Revenue Code § 6672: The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty”, Upstate S.C. Chapter of the American Payroll Association (2016, 2010)
- “Estate Planning Basics”, ETV Endowment of South Carolina and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (2015)
- “Tax Repercussions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010”, South Carolina Bar Convention (2014)
- “Grantor Trusts”, National Business Institute (2013)
- “Who Me? Tax Collections from Non-Taxpayers”, South Carolina Bar Convention (2013)
- “Practical Pointers and Pitfalls in Negotiated Acquisitions”, Greenville County Bar Association (2012)
- “Important Provisions of the Health Care Reform Bill for Small Business Owners”, Piedmont Chapter of the S.C. Association of CPA’s (2010)
- “Hot Topics in Estate Planning”, South Carolina Bar Convention (2008)