With decades of experience advising closely held businesses, family enterprises, and corporate stakeholders, Robert Walker focuses his practice on business succession, ownership transitions, mergers and acquisitions, and the resolution of shareholder disputes.
His clients—ranging from entrepreneurs and executives to established corporate entities—rely on his strategic counsel to navigate complex transactions and sensitive internal negotiations.
Robert regularly collaborates with financial advisors, accountants, and legal teams to structure multimillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs, with a particular focus on tax efficiency. He has successfully guided clients through generational transitions of ownership, including the succession of a leading national sports equipment distributor, and has represented shareholders in disputes requiring negotiated settlements across a variety of industries.
In one notable matter, Robert secured a Private Letter Ruling from the IRS to facilitate the tax-free spin-off of a public corporation. He also played a pivotal role in helping employees of a national distributor acquire the company’s stock from a bankrupt owner—structuring both the deal and the financing package that made the purchase possible.
Throughout his practice, Robert brings a collaborative, solution-oriented approach to helping clients protect their interests, preserve enterprise value, and plan for long-term success.
Led Employee Buyout of National Distributor
Advised a group of employees in the successful negotiation and purchase of their employer’s stock from a bankrupt owner, including structuring the financing package needed to complete the transaction.
Resolved Complex Shareholder Disputes Across Multiple Corporations
Represented business owners in the negotiation and settlement of disputes among stockholders, helping clients preserve business continuity and minimize litigation risk.
Guided Generational Transition for Sports Equipment Distributor
Counseled the owners of a leading distributor through the strategic transfer of management and ownership from the company’s founder to the next generation, ensuring long-term operational stability.
Structured Tax-Efficient Corporate Transactions
Collaborated with financial consultants, accountants, and legal advisors to structure and execute multimillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions with a focus on tax strategy.
Secured IRS Ruling for Public Company Spin-Off
Obtained a Private Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the tax-free spin-off of a public corporation, enabling a successful restructuring with favorable tax treatment.
Education
- LLM, Taxation, Boston University School of Law, 1973
- JD, cum laude, Boston University School of Law, 1970
- University of North Carolina, 1968
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- US Tax Court