Whenever we look for a professional firm to help us with a matter, we begin by finding out how the people at the firm will treat us, approach our situation, and address our needs. Of course we demand an exceptional level of professional skill and ability, but ultimately the people behind the resumes are why we choose one firm over another.

We think you should put Flott & Co. to the same test.

We know that careful planning at the start of any project beats trying to make changes on the fly, and that long term relationships generate long term savings. This view influences everything we do, from establishing relationships with clients, to confronting and dealing with legal issues. As we get to know and trust each other, the value of our communication grows. We believe clients want sound legal advice that reflects good business judgment and value. That is what we strive to provide.

At Flott & Co. the first thing we do is listen. We know that to be effective advocates, we need to know you, learn about what you do, and understand what you want and need. Only when we understand what you are trying to achieve, the business context in which you operate and your individual circumstances, can we provide advice and counsel to help you reach your goals. No matter what your circumstances, you can be assured that we provide a full and objective analysis of all of your options, practical advice about your possible courses of action and a realistic assessment of the likelihood of success. We won't try to dazzle you with a display of our mastery of legal issues and vocabulary. We will provide you with the practical information and counsel you need to make the best possible decisions for your business.

At Flott & Co. we are business persons, not just lawyers. Like you, we are operating a business and face many of the same questions and issues. If it does not make sense for us to spend $50 to solve a $50 problem, why would it make sense for you? As your lawyers, our job is to help you as your business grows and prospers. Just as we manage the risks of our business, we will help you identify and manage yours. We believe our role is to help you understand all the legal risks of a course of action so that you can evaluate your options, then help you implement whichever option you decide to pursue.

Attorneys

Stephen P. Flott, Esq.

Email: Stephen Flott

Phone: +1 (703) 525-5110 x 126

Practice Areas: International Taxation; Transportation; Business Law

Bar Memberships: Province of Ontario; Maryland; Virginia; District of Columbia; District of Columbia and U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; U.S. District Court, District of Maryland; U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia and Federal Circuits

Education: St. Jerome's College, Waterloo, Ontario, B.A., first class honors, 1967;
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, M.A., 1968, Osgoode Hall, York University, Toronto, Ontario, LL.B., 1973; George Washington University, M.C.L.A.P., 1987

Miscellaneous Information: Recipient, Prizes in Constitutional Law and Torts. President, Ontario Trucking Association, 1978-1983

Detailed Biography: I have been a business lawyer for more than twenty-five years. In addition to general business advice applicable many type of enterprises, I have developed several specializations, principally revolving around transportation. I advise clients on the US taxation of foreign transportation activity, and assist them with compliance. I also advise shipping, trucking, bus and freight forwarding companies based outside the United States on international corporate & tax planning, finance activities in the US, as well as on US regulatory and cross-border matters associated with transportation operations in the US. You can read about each of these specializations by clicking “What We Do”.

I started my transportation career in Toronto when I worked for the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) during law school. After graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto in 1973, I was called to the bar in Ontario in March 1975 and joined Weir & Foulds as a corporate and commercial associate. Between 1975 and 1978, I developed a business and transportation regulatory practice principally serving trucking clients.

In May 1978, I was appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager of the OTA, and served as chief staff officer of the association with responsibility not only for the policy and political activities of the organization but also for its business operations. Upon leaving OTA in June 1983, I joined the Joint Program in Transportation at the University of Toronto as a Senior Fellow for a year, and established a consulting firm, specializing in transportation and international trade. In 1984 I became a founding member of the Trade & Transportation Group, and moved to Washington, DC.

In 1986, I joined Lillick McHose & Charles where I began working on shipping matters for domestic and international clients. I obtained a post-graduate degree in law from George Washington University in 1987, and was admitted to practice in Washington, DC in June 1987. In 1988, I moved to Lane & Mittendorf also in Washington, DC as an associate and began working on the US taxation of foreign shipping companies. In January 1990 I started my own firm, which has evolved into Flott & Co. PC.

I hold an honors undergraduate degree in history and economics from St. Jerome’s College in Waterloo, Ontario and a Masters Degree in History from the University of Waterloo, also in Waterloo. I am a member of the business and tax sections of the International, American, District of Columbia and Arlington County Bar Associations.

On a personal note, I am married to Fran O’Brien, who is a local prosecutor in Arlington County, Virginia, where we live with our three children, MaryJeanne, Allan and Robert. We are members of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, and both Fran and I are active in school and parish activities there.

Benjamin Snipes, Esq.

Email: Benjamin Snipes

Phone: +1 (703) 525-5110 x 123

Practice Areas: International Taxation and International Commercial Transactions

Bar Memberships: District of Columbia & State of Florida

Education: Mr. Snipes is currently pursuing a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) part-time at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Mr. Snipes received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) with International Law Certification from the Florida State University College of Law in 2003. While in law school, Mr. Snipes also received a Certification in International Arbitration and Mediation at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, and was awarded a fellowship with the Florida Legislature where he drafted and advised on proposed legislation under the supervision of staff attorneys. Prior to earning his law degree, Mr. Snipes received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), High Honors, from the University of Florida in 2000.

Experience: Benjamin Snipes has been advising clients with international tax and commercial matters for six years. Prior to joining Flott & Co. PC in 2007, Mr. Snipes worked as corporate counsel for the Orange Business Services division of France Telecom S.A., a global telecommunications provider and Fortune 100 company. At Orange Business Services, Mr. Snipes worked primarily in the areas of international commercial transactions, global regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and international tax.

Jeanne Franklin, Esq.

Email: Jeanne Franklin

Phone: +1 (703) 525-5110 x 122

Practice Areas: US Taxation of the US Source Income of Foreign Persons and Companies

Bar Memberships: State of Texas and State of Tennessee

Education: Ms. Franklin received her Masters of Law (LL.M.) with a specialty in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 2009.  She graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Mississippi College School of Law in 2008.  Prior to earning her law degree, Jeanne received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and her Masters of Professional Accountancy from Louisiana Tech University. Jeanne is an actively licensed Texas Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A).

Experience: Prior to returning to attending law school, Jeanne’s work experience includes preparing tax returns and performing external audit reviews for Ernst & Young, LLP.  She served as a Manager of Gas Accounting for Duke Energy Trading and Marketing Company, based in Houston, Texas, a Fortune 500 Company; and as Manager of Business Compliance for Consolidated Graphics, Inc.  While at Mississippi College School of Law, Jeanne also served as co-coordinator of Mississippi College School of Law-Mission First Legal Aid Office’s Tax Clinic, assisting lower income residents of Jackson, Mississippi with their federal and state income tax returns.