Joseph E. Tierney, III


Shareholder

jet@mtfn.com

111 East Kilbourn Avenue, 19th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rated
Joseph E. Tierney III SuperLawyers

Joseph E. Tierney, III has more than fifty years of experience focused primarily on tax and corporate law for businesses, owner families and individuals. He has particular experience in the design and administration of plans for very large estates, including some whose accumulated assets have totaled in the eight- and nine-figures. He has also been lead counsel in the purchase and sale of numerous businesses and has extensive experience in entity selection and structuring.

Because tax consequences drive business and estate planning decisions, Joe’s counsel includes guidance in a wide range of situations to achieve both the business and personal goals of his clients. Joe’s business practice encompasses long-term representation of companies across a broad spectrum of industries, including cold storage, gas line construction, investment management, software development, manufacturing and import-export. Joe assists at every stage of a company’s growth and development, and advises clients in the day-to-day operation of their businesses, on issues involving personnel, compensation, and negotiation of complex financial issues. Additionally, he has participated in negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with respect to remediation of an important contaminated site.

In the estate planning context, Joe possesses substantial experience in charitable gifting, and the creation and supervision of many forms of charitable organizations, in addition to extensive familiarity with all appropriate tax-advantageous planning strategies.

Joe is a seasoned professional speaker and author, and has written over one hundred articles and speeches on the topic of tax law. He is now serving as an adjunct professor at Marquette Law School. In addition, Joe serves on the firm’s Board of Directors.

Honors


  • The Best Lawyers In America® (1995 – Present)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2005 – Present)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated

Professional Organizations


  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Milwaukee Tax Club
  • Milwaukee Estate Planning Association

Speeches & Publications


  • Speaker, Tax Aspects of Trust Decanting, Milwaukee Estate Planning Association (October, 2022)
  • Speaker, The Ethics of Backdating, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Ethics CLE (October and December, 2022)
  • Author, The Effect of New International Tax Rules of TCJA on S Corporations: An Update, Journal of Passthrough Entities Article (March-April 2019)
  • Author, S Corporations and the New International Tax Provisions of the TCJA, Journal of Passthrough Entities Article (September-October 2018)
  • Author, Lessons in Entity Choice and Life from the Dodger Purchase Transaction, article in Journal of Passthrough Entities (July-August 2012)
  • Author, Partnership Mergers and Divisions and the Mixing Bowl, published in New York University Tax Institute (December, 2011)
  • Author, Problems with Debt in Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts When the Grantor Has Died, article in Journal of Passthrough Entities (March-April 2011)
  • Author, The Gift Tax, ‘Transfers in Trust,’ and the Post-EGTRRA Environment, article in Tax Notes, April 12, 2010
  • Author, Debt in the Creation of a Limited Liability Company—A View from the Third Tier, article in Journal of Passthrough Entities, July-August, 2002
  • Speaker, Tax Issues in Commercial Leases Timing of Rental Income and Deductions and Improvements to Leased Property, Wisconsin Bar Association, June 15, 2012
  • Speaker, A Review of Some of the Issues in Intra-family Loans, dated March 14, 2012 – PITS
  • Speaker, A Review of Some of the Issues in Intra-family Loans, dated March 9, 2012 – MEPA
  • Speaker, Partnership Mergers and Divisions and the Mixing Bowl, dated October, 2011 in New York and November, 2011in California
  • Speaker, The Tax Mechanics of Formation of Limited Liability Companies Taxed as Partnerships, dated June 10, 2011
  • Speaker, The Organization of Professional Sports Leagues—Promotion and Relegation, Serjeants’ Inn, dated June 2, 2011
  • Speaker, Memorial Service Remarks, 2011MBA Memorial Service at Milwaukee County Courthouse, dated May 6, 2011
  • Author, Problems With Debt in Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts When the Grantor Has Died, article in CCH Financial and Estate Planning, Report No. 375, dated March 2011
  • Speaker, The Acquisition and Development of Some Land, dated February 18, 2011 (Barristers)
  • Speaker, Gift and Sale to Defective Trust, dated December 8, 2010 (PITS)
  • Speaker, Some thoughts on section 1022 – With us all days even onto the consummation?, dated November 12, 2010 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, Choice of Entity Considerations in Light of Recent and Proposed Tax Law Changes, dated September 23, 2010 (State Bar of Wisconsin – Business Law Program)
  • Speaker, The Ethics of Backdating, dated June 27, 2010, July 20, 2010, July 21, 2010 and September 17, 2010 (Road Show – State Bar of Wisconsin)
  • Author, The Meaning of “Limited Partner” in the Context of the Passive Activity Loss Rules and the Self-Employment Tax, article in Journal of Passthrough Entities, March-April, 2010
  • Speaker, Hard Times and a Perspective on Section 382, dated January 13, 2010 (PITS)
  • Speaker, Contributions of Cash and Property to Private Foundations, dated November 6, 2009 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, The Ethics of Backdating, dated December 5, 2008 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, Private Trust Companies Developments and Prospects, dated October 23, 2008 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, Income Taxation of the Holder of Distressed Debt, dated June 11, 2008 (PITS)
  • Speaker, Thoughts on the American Campaign Financing System, dated January 25, 2008 (Barristers)
  • Speaker, Partnership Mergers and Divisions and the Mixing Bowl, dated December 7, 2007
  • Speaker, Proposed Regulations under Section 2036 and 2039 Extent of Includibility of a Retained Annuity Interest, dated October 12, 2007 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, Partnership Mergers and Divisions and the Mixing Bowl, dated May 9, 2007 and June 13, 2007 (PITS)
  • Speaker, The Noncitizen Spouse In the Federal Transfer Tax System, dated January 12, 2007 (MEPA)
  • Speaker, Donor Advised Funds under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Sarjeants’ Inn, dated October 5, 2006
  • Speaker, The Internal Tax Mechanics of Limited Liability Companies, Marquette University, dated September 28, 2006
  • Speaker, Taxation of the “Service Partner” and the Service Partner’s Partners/The New Proposed Regulations and Related Proposed Revenue Procedure, dated May 8, 2006 (The Tax Club)

New York University, LL.M., Taxation, 1967
Marquette University Law School, J.D., 1966, Editor-in-Chief, Marquette Law Review
Marquette University, B.A., 1964


  • Wisconsin

  • Adjunct Professor, Marquette University Law School, Spring 2012, Taxation in the Sports Industry

Articles & Videos


11 MTFN Attorneys Selected for 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers, an esteemed division of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service for outstanding attorneys across the nation, using peer...
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The 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 11 MTFN Attorneys

Best Lawyers in America recognizes seven Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. shareholders and one associate attorney in their 2024...
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Congratulations Joseph E. Tierney V – Fifth Consecutive Tierney to Graduate from Marquette University

Joseph E. Tierney V is the fifth consecutive Tierney to receive his degree from Marquette University. 112 years ago, Joseph...
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10 MTFN Attorneys Selected for 2022 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers, from more than 70 practice areas, who have...
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The 2023 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 13 MTFN Attorneys

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Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Attorneys Named to 2021 Wisconsin Super Lawyers/Rising Stars

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph E. Tierney III, Thomas J....
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The 2022 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 13 MTFN Attorneys

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that nine of its shareholders were recently selected for recognition...
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Vaccination Mandates in the Workplace: What You Need to Know

As the COVID-19 vaccine begins to roll out, employers may be faced with the decision to mandate the vaccination for...
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Wisconsin Conformity with Federal Tax Treatment of PPP Loan Forgiveness

On February 18, 2021, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 2, which, in part, addresses conformity to the federal...
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Treasury on Paycheck Protection Program Loan Expense Deductibility

In Rev. Rul. 2020-27, the IRS reinforced its prior Notice 2020-32, and said that a borrower of a Paycheck Protection...
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Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Attorneys Named to 2020 Wisconsin Super Lawyers/Rising Stars

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph E. Tierney III, Thomas J....
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Nine Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols Attorneys Selected as 2021 Best Lawyers

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that nine of its Shareholders were recently selected by their...
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Understanding the Key Provisions made in the New Sick Pay Legislation

In light of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers passed legislation containing provisions pertaining to paid leave and corresponding...
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Paycheck Protection Program – § 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a))

The “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (“CARES Act”) establishes a new loan under section 7(a) of the Small...
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Nine Meissner Tierney Attorneys Selected as 2019 Wisconsin Super Lawyers

Meissner Tierney is proud to announce that seven of its active shareholders, including Joseph Tierney III, Thomas Nichols, Randal Brotherhood,...
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Nine Shareholders Voted to The 2020 Best Lawyers in America© List

Meissner Tierney is extremely honored to announce that all nine of our active shareholders were once again selected by their...
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Nine Meissner Tierney Attorneys Recognized by Wisconsin Super Lawyers for 2018

Meissner Tierney is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph Tierney III, Thomas Nichols*, Randal Brotherhood, Michael Cohen**, William...
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Eight Meissner Tierney Shareholders Voted to the 2019 Best Lawyers in America© List

Meissner Tierney is extremely honored to announce that eight of our senior shareholders were once again selected by their peers...
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Ten Meissner Tierney Attorneys Recognized by Wisconsin Super Lawyers for 2017

Meissner Tierney is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph Tierney III, Thomas Nichols, Randal Brotherhood, Michael Cohen*, William...
Read More

Eight Meissner Tierney Shareholders Voted to the 2018 Best Lawyers in America© List

Meissner Tierney is extremely honored to announce that eight of our senior shareholders were once again selected by their peers...
Read More