Melissa K. Warner
About
In Remembrance – Melissa Warner
Melissa Warner was a partner in the firm. Attorney Warner passed away after a long battle with cancer on June 21, 2023. As a former member of Axley’s Business Practice Group, she concentrated on issues relating to tax law and estate planning and administration. She also handled a variety of general business issues, such as business assets sales and purchases and business start up matters.
Ms. Warner’s tax background was a benefit to both business planning and estate administration and planning. She worked with tax-exempt entities, handling matters from the formation of the entities to ongoing compliance matters. Additionally, she represented businesses and individuals in tax audits before the IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Ms. Warner represented clients in negotiating commercial leases and real estate purchases. As part of her estate planning practice, she worked with clients in drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, premarital agreements and marital property agreements. Her estate administration background included assisting families with probate and non-probate transfers at death.
Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin and Colorado and United States Tax Court.
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
L.L.M., University of Denver, Taxation
B.A., Cornell College
Involvement & Recognition
Involvement:
- Co-founder, By Women For Women
- Advisory Board Member, South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure
- Recipient, “Komen Impact Award,” South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure
- Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
- Board Member, Work Plus Inc
Recognition:
- Named to the 2008 – 2016 Wisconsin Rising Stars Lists (Primary Practice Area: Business/Corporate Law)
Client Successes
Represents individuals and businesses in disputes with the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Organizing and obtaining tax-exempt status for non-profit corporations
Representing businesses and individuals in residential and commercial real estate leases and sale transactions
Representation of individuals and companies in the sale and acquisition of businesses, both as stock transactions and asset sales
Formation of limited liability companies and corporations, and other tasks associated with small business start-ups
Estate administration, from probate of small summary proceedings to large, complex estates including trust and estate litigation
Preparation of estate plans for individuals, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
Advising on tax implications of proposed business transactions, as well as personal tax planning