Gary M. Harden

A transactional tax lawyer with regular involvement in tax controversies for over 35 years, Gary Harden partners with clients and collaborating professionals on a national platform, designing and implementing value added business – tax strategy.

His practice areas include mergers and acquisitions (M&A), syndications, finance and insurance; with niche areas in intellectual property tax, executive benefits, sports & entertainment tax, exempt organizations, captive insurance, and employee fraud and embezzlement investigations.

He serves a broad range of business and nonprofit clients including service firms in the accounting, legal, financial and insurance professions, and as outside tax counsel to a virtual law firm serving the information technology (IT) sector internationally. Bar admissions include Ohio, the US Tax Court and US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  Mr. Harden is a member of Eastman & Smith.

He is a regular speaker and author on topics involving taxation and business law, and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo Law School. His articles include a wide variety of topics such as FATCA and Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax, with some available by links on this website and to LinkedIn.

Mr. Harden earned a master’s degree in tax law (LL.M) from New York University, bachelor of business administration in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, and juris doctor (J.D.) from the University of Toledo College of Law. He is a graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School.

You may also find Mr. Harden instructing a merit badge, cantoring a Mass, backpacking the Rocky Mountains with a crew of young adults at BSA’s Philmont Scout Reservation, camping with his wife, cross country skiing the snowy trails of Northern Michigan or hiking through the woods of Oak Openings Metropark with his German Shepard, Andy.

EDUCATION:

• New York University, LL.M. Taxation, 1981
• University of Toledo College of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1980
• University of Notre Dame, BBA (Accounting), 1977

ADMISSIONS:

• Ohio, 1980
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1983
• U.S. Tax Court, 1983

COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

An Eagle Scout, Mr. Harden continues his passion for developing leadership skills and character of the area’s youth as general counsel, immediate past president and risk management chair of Erie Shores Council, BSA. He mentored 14 young men to the Rank of Eagle including each of his three sons, served as a scoutmaster (ten years) and as lay advisor to Tindeuchen Lodge Order of the Arrow.

Wood Badge Adult Leadership trained, he serves as assistant course director on the C6-460-15 staff. He also is active in the Knights of Columbus (former Grand Knight, and 4th degree), and provides service to a variety of nonprofits including the American Red Cross, Christian Appalachian Project and Catholic Charities.