This content was published prior to the combination of Dentons Sirote. Learn more about Dentons Sirote. 

Sirote & Permutt is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s current attorneys have been elected as shareholders of the firm. “Dan Hugunine, Michelle Levin, and Winston Busby have already become tremendous assets to our team, and we are thrilled to congratulate them on their new shareholder status,” said Todd Carlisle, President of Sirote. 

Dan has been a member of our firm’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group for just two years, but he has practiced law for much longer, demonstrating his ability to counsel clients well on federal and state banking laws and regulation, securities regulation, broker-dealer and investment adviser regulation, and negotiation of vendor and procurement contracts. In addition, Dan represents clients in merger and acquisition transactions and general corporate counseling. He has also been a member of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) Roundtable and is currently a member of the Financial Markets Association. Joey Ritchey, chair of Sirote’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group, shares, “We are excited to have Dan move into a shareholder role. Dan is a talented attorney who brings valuable experience to our clients.”

Michelle has been a member of our firm’s Tax Controversy Group and Corporate Tax Group since 2013. Based in Huntsville, she represents clients during all phases of federal and state tax controversies, including IRS audits, administrative appeals, and court proceedings in the US Tax Court, US Court of Federal Claims, and federal district courts. Since joining Sirote, Michelle has tried several significant cases before the US Tax Court and is regularly asked to speak at conferences around the United States on pressing tax controversy issues. Previously, Michelle prosecuted financial crimes, including tax evasion, check fraud, and embezzlement, as the Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. “Michelle is an essential member of our Tax Controversy Group, which is one of the most active tax controversy teams in the nation,” explains David Wooldridge, chair of Sirote’s Tax Controversy Practice Group. “Michelle has been instrumental in the success of our tax controversy practice, which has developed a national reputation since Michelle has joined the team.”

Having worked with Sirote since 2013, Winston’s practice focuses on estate and tax planning in the Private Clients, Trusts and Estates and Tax Practice Groups. He often works with closely-held business owners on a variety of issues, including generational transfers and succession and tax planning. He also assists clients with the administration of trusts and estates to accomplish their goals. A prolific author and speaker on tax-related matters, Winston has co-authored two editions of “New Rules for Estate, Retirement, and Tax Planning” with J.K. Lasser and has written and maintained several Thomson Reuters’ Practical Law Guides. Winston was named as a “Rising Star of Law” by the Birmingham Business Journal in 2016, a recognition that he has lived up to.“Winston has developed knowledge and experience in corporate as well as estate and tax planning matters,” says Melinda Mathews, chair of Sirote’s Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Practice Group. “Winston is a valuable member of our group, and we are delighted to welcome him as a shareholder.”