John C. (Jack) Sawyer is Of Counsel in MendenFreiman LLP's Trusts & Estates and Private Wealth Practice Group. He focuses his practice on sophisticated estate planning, taxation, wealth transfer planning, charitable planning, business succession matters, conservation easements, exempt organizations, and fiduciary matters for high net worth individuals, families, business owners, and closely held entities.
Jack brings decades of experience advising clients on complex tax and estate planning strategies, including trust and estate administration, asset protection planning, charitable giving structures, and federal tax matters. He has represented individuals, fiduciaries, business owners, and nonprofit organizations in matters involving estate and gift taxation, income tax planning, and long term wealth preservation strategies.
Prior to joining MendenFreiman LLP, Jack practiced for many years with Alston & Bird LLP, where he advised clients on a broad range of estate planning, taxation, fiduciary litigation, exempt organization, and charitable planning matters.
Jack is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a national organization of peer elected trust and estate lawyers recognized for excellence in the field of trusts and estates. He is also a frequent speaker and author on estate planning, taxation, charitable planning, and conservation easement matters.
Before beginning his legal career, Jack served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.
Education
- University of Notre Dame, J.D. magna cum laude, 1981. White Scholar
- University of Georgia, B.B.A. Accounting cum laude, 1978. Phi Kappa Phi; Beta Alpha Psi; Phi Eta Sigma
Admissions and Professional Organizations
- State Bar of Georgia
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Asset Protection Committee, Member
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
- American Health Lawyers Association, Registered Dispute Resolver
- Atlanta Estate Planning Council, Member
- Georgia Planned Giving Council, Pro Bono General Counsel
- Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute Advisory Board, Member
- State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section, Chairman, 2001-2002
- State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section, Newsletter Editor, 1992-1995
Awards and Recognition
- Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year, Nonprofits/Charities - 2022
- Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year, Trust and Estate Litigation - 2019
- Georgia Super Lawyers - 2006-2026
- Georgia Planned Giving Council, The Greater Good Award - 2016
- Worth Magazine, Top 100 Attorneys - 2006
- The Best Lawyers in America
Lecturing & Professional Activities
- American Health Lawyers Association, National Conference Lecturer
- Fiduciary Law Institute, Lecturer and Program Chair
- Georgia Federal Tax Conference, Lecturer
- Land Trust Alliance National Rally, Lecturer and Presenter
- Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute, Advisory Board Member and Lecturer
- Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Nonprofit Governance, Guest Lecturer
- Georgia State University College of Law, Basic Federal Income Tax, Adjunct Faculty
- ICLE in Georgia, Basic Estate Planning and Basic Fiduciary Practice, Program Chair
Publications
- Author, IRA Benefits Trusts Line By Line: A Detailed Look at IRA Benefits Trusts and How to Craft Them to Meet Your Needs - 2010
- Author, "Selected Problems in Administering Estates Having Charitable Beneficiaries," Estate Planning - 2008
- Author, "When the Party's Over: Hospital Conversion Issues and Strategies," The Exempt Organization Tax Review - 1999
- Author, "Conservation Easements Help Preserve Real Estate for an Owner's Family," Estate Planning - 1999
- Author, "How Tax-Exempt Hospitals Should Weigh the Risks of Strategic Restructuring," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations - 1993
- Quoted in Georgia Trend as an expert on estate planning - 2007
- Quoted in Modern Healthcare as an expert on nonprofit hospitals - 2007
- Quoted in Fortune as an expert on estate planning - 2000
- Quoted in Forbes as an expert on estate planning - 1996
