Michael D. Blackburn

Mr. Blackburn has practiced tax, estate planning, and business law in Salt Lake City, Utah since 1978. In addition to his law practice he serves as a member of the faculty at the University of Utah and is a frequent tax and estate planning instructor for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is the author of two published books on estate and financial planning, and approximately two dozen published articles on tax, estate planning and professional issues.

Primary Areas of Practice:

• Estate Planning
• Tax Planning
• Tax Controversy Litigation
• Business Organizations
• Estate Administration and Elder Care Law

Education

University of Utah, B.S. in Accounting
University of Utah, Graduate Studies in MBA program
Golden Gate University, Graduate Studies in LLM Taxation program
Stanford Law School, Juris Doctorate

Awards

Selected as a member of:

• Best Lawyers in America (Wills and Trusts)
• Mountain States Super Lawyers (Estate Planning and Taxation)
• Utah Legal Elite (Tax Estate Planning and Wills and Trusts)
• Outstanding CPA in the State of Utah (1997)

Professional Memberships

Utah State Bar Association (Bar No. 0354)

• Chairman of the Estate Planning Section (1988-1989)
• Chairman of the Task Force on Multidisciplinary Practice (1999-2002)

American Bar Association

Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants

• President (2001-2002)
• Board of Directors (1994-2002)
• Outstanding CPA in the State of Utah (1997)

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

• Member of Council (2000-2004)

Salt Lake Estate Planning Council

Professional and Civic Activities

American College of Trust and Estate Council (1993-Present); University of Utah, Facility Member in the School of Business (2002-Present); President and Trustee, UACPA Education Foundation (1998-2006); State Board of Accountancy (2005-Present); Trustee, Hansen Planetarium Foundation (1980-2004); Trustee, Utah Care Foundation (2004-Present); Member, Planned Giving Professional Advisory Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (2001-Present); UACPA Political Action Committee (1994-2004); Utah State School Board Nominating Committee (1994); Member of Board of Directors, Utah Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (1994-1999); Member, Charitable Giving Committee, Primary Children's Hospital (1998-1999); Chairman, Business Development Committee and Business Seminar Committee, Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (1988-1993); Governor Michael Leavitt's Transition Committee (1993); Senator Orin Hatch Campaign Advisory Committee (2000); Economic Development Committee, City of North Salt Lake, Utah (1985-1988); President, South Davis Soccer Association (1994-1996); Administrative Appeals Judge, United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association (1992-Present).

Personal

Married with five children

Presentations and Publications

Mr. Blackburn has taught more than 900 courses on tax, estate planning, business organizations, business law, and elder care, spread over more than 200 cities in more than 46 states during the last 30 years.  He is a two time winner of the AICPA's Outstanding Instructor Award and various other teaching awards.