Dennis J. Shanlian - Kent, WA

Overview

Before becoming one of the founding members of what is now Hanis Irvine Prothero, PLLC in 2003, Dennis previously operated his own independent private practice. He has also worked for Foster Pepper & Shefelman and with Smith & Zuccarini, and has served as General Counsel for KMS Financial Services.

Dennis’ practice focuses on business and financial transactions and planning for their tax consequences. He assists clients on a wide variety of areas including: formation of entities and joint ventures; preparation and negotiation of contracts involving investors and management; corporate governance issues; executive and deferred compensation and incentive stock plans; expansion through franchising; private placement of securities and commercial loans; copyright and trademark of intellectual property; transfer and license of technology; merger, acquisition, reorganization or dissolution of companies; and asset protection strategies with sophisticated estate planning for individuals and closely held businesses.

Among Dennis’ clients are professionals and firms involved in health care, engineering, financial services, real estate, construction, manufacturing and fabrication, automotive, shipping and transportation, aerospace, entertainment and media, software development, food and restaurant industries.

Dennis has filled his schedule with membership or attendance with several professional organizations. Some of these organizations included: the Attorney/CPA Tax Clinic; the Society of Financial Service Professionals; the Northwest Family Business Advisors; the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, and sections of the Washington State Bar Association. Dennis was President and a charter member of the Estate Planning Council for South King County. He also had been involved with the MIT Enterprise Forum, the Northwest Entrepreneur Network, the Rainier Symphony Orchestra, the Covington Historical Society, and the Asian-Pacific Roundtable. Dennis previously served on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Kent and the Kent Chamber of Commerce, including Treasurer, and a legislative affairs representative for the Covington Chamber of Commerce.

As chairman of the International Committee for the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, Dennis moderated the successful annual International Tax Conference. He has spoken on several topics for the National Business Institute, including: Advanced Tax Issues for Limited Liability Companies; Formation of and Drafting Agreements for Partnerships; Conversion and Dissolution of Partnerships; Restructuring and Terminating Exempt Organizations; and Tax Considerations for Choice of Business Entity Decisions.

In addition to his participation in all of these groups, Dennis has several hobbies that he enjoys. He has performed with musical groups and organizations, as he is especially talented at playing the drums and various other percussion instruments. Dennis has cultivated and harvested a renowned garden, orchard and vineyard. He also maintained his collection of classic automobiles and a motorcycle. As a result of his personal interest in screenwriting, filmmaking and sound recording, Dennis established an independent film and video production company with plans to complete and distribute feature length motion pictures, television series and new media properties.