Cristin Conley Keane

Overview

Cristin Keane has extensive experience advising companies on the tax aspects and structuring of business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and joint ventures. She has served as chair of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar, is board certified in tax law by the Florida Bar, and is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, the American College of LLC and Partnership Attorneys, and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. She has served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Law Graduate Tax Program (from which she holds an advanced tax law degree) and was the 2019–2020 recipient of the Gerald T. Hart Outstanding Tax Attorney of the Year Award from the Tax Section of the Florida Bar. She has been regularly recognized by various publications for her expertise in tax law, including Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America.

Cristin also regularly advises not-for-profit corporations and high net worth individuals (especially business owners) on tax matters. Her experience includes succession planning, federal income and estate tax matters, ISO and nonqualified stock option plan analysis and drafting, and Section 409A deferred compensation analysis. Her representation of not-for-profit organizations includes all facets of federal income taxation and state taxation, as well as contract matters and governance issues.

Experience

• Structured the merger of nationally recognized tax-exempt public charities.
• Created estate and business succession plans for founders of highly successful businesses. 
• Represented charter schools throughout Florida in obtaining federal tax-exempt status. 
• Represented multiple national construction companies in negotiating and structuring joint ventures with total contract values exceeding $200 million. 
• Restructured a mid-size cardiology group. 
• Served as tax counsel to Florida-based reinsurance company in significant domestic and foreign tax matters. 
• Drafted foreign distributor agreements for major international food service corporation.

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Bar Association
  • Business Law Section
    • LLCs, Partnerships, and Unincorporated Entities Committee, Membership Committee Co-Chair (2007–present) 
  • Tax Law Section
• American College of Tax Counsel
  • Fellow
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Fellow
• The Florida Bar 
  • Tax Section
    • Chair (2014–2015)
    • Chair-Elect (2013–2014) 
    • Co-Director, Long Range Planning Committee (2010–2012) 
    • Co-Director, Educational Programs Division (2005–2006) 
    • Co-Director, Section Administration Division (2003-2005) 
    • Assistant Director, Federal Tax Division (2002–2003) 
    • Vice Chair, New Tax Lawyers Committee (2002–2003) 
    • Assistant Chair, C-Corporations Subcommittee, Federal Tax Division (2002–2006) 
  • Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section 
    • Chair, Real Estate Structures and Taxation Committee (2014–2015)
• Florida Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (legislation enacted in 2005) 
  • Drafting Committee
• Duke University Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee of Hillsborough County
• Hillsborough County Bar Association 
  • Business Law Section 
  • Tax Law Section
• IRS Tax Exempt/Government Entity (TE/GE) Council, Gulf Coast Area
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program 
  • Volunteer (1997 and 1998) 
  • Faculty Advisor (1999)

Speaking Engagements

• "2018 Tax Act for the Real Estate Lawyer," ABA Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section (February 1, 2018)
• “Unwinding the Myth of the Capital Account” ABA Business Law Section (April 2013)
• “Common Legal Issues and Traps for the Unwary Nonprofit Board Member,” Community Foundation of Tampa Bay (February 2013)
• “Equity Compensation Tax Issues: Section 83,” The Florida Bar Tax Section (February 2013)
• “What RPPTL Lawyers Need to Know About Business Entities: Selection, Function, and Utilization,” The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (December 2012)
• “Charitable Giving as Part of Your Estate Plan,” Equality Florida Legacy Society (October 2012)
• “LLCs and Corporations: Corporate Counsel Fundamentals,” Association of Corporate Counsel, West Florida Chapter (August 2012)
• “Policy Implications of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act,” Crowe Horwath Webinar (February 2012)
• “Nonprofit Organization Mergers,” Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative (February 2012)

Pro Bono

• SCUBAnauts International Inc. – Prepared original tax exemption and group tax exemption application.
• Brad Richards Foundation Inc. – Prepared organizational documents and tax exemption application.
• Kids for Life Inc. – Prepared organizational documents and tax exemption application.
• Angel of Hope Memorial Garden, Tampa Bay Inc. – Prepared organizational documents and tax exemption application.
• We Feed the Hungry Inc. – Prepared organizational documents and tax exemption application.
• One Here … One There Inc. – Prepared organizational documents and tax exemption application.
• Westshore Alliance Inc. – Assisted with exemption application for low-income housing project and formation of community land trust.
• Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council – Reviewed bylaws and corporate governance structure.

Credentials

Areas of Focus