Edward G. Jager
Edward Gerard Jager is a Partner in the Business, Tax and Estate Planning, and Real Estate Law Groups at Jager McCarron LLP. Ed was Senior and Managing Partner of Jager Smith P.C. from 1978 until 2017, when he joined Catherine F. McCarron to found Jager McCarron LLP. He has counseled owners of closely-held corporate entities and their families for over thirty years. He provides legal advice and business expertise in the areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and advanced estate planning techniques, as well as the development and implementation of multi-generation succession plans and wealth transition strategies. Prior to founding Jager Smith P.C., Ed was employed in the tax department of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).
Bar Admissions:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Tax Court
United States Supreme Court
Education:
Boston College Law School, Juris Doctor 1971
Northeastern University, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, 1968
Community Involvement:
• Former Member, Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston Hospice Care (VNAB)
Notable Experience:
Counsel for over 25 years to sole owner and founder of Massachusetts corporation which manufactures, distributes and exports custom packaging and crating solutions. Guided company through multiple acquisitions to increase market share. Implemented long-range wealth transition strategies to reduce estate taxes over three generations of corporate ownership, including generation-skipping strategies and securing of a private letter ruling from Internal Revenue Service in 1979 to freeze estate value of stock owned by founder. Administered founder’s estate in 2002, obtained closing letters from Internal Revenue Service and Commonwealth of Massachusetts confirming success of all long-term strategies so as to substantially limit estate tax impact on company and maximize generational wealth transfers. Counseled shareholders with regard to, and implemented shareholder voting trust to streamline and centralize shareholder decision-making and minimize potential conflicts among third generation owners. Advised in forming board comprised of a majority of outside directors with significant business expertise thus avoiding typical family dominated board structure.
Advised co-owner of closely-held corporation with multi-state manufacturing and distribution locations in $35 million asset sale of largest product division to “roll-up” buyer. Negotiated sale of remaining division to co-owner.
Advised a leading Massachusetts technology corporation in $1 billion plus proposed sale at height of so-called “tech boom” in late 2001. Abrupt changes in the market resulted in company withdrawing from the sale, upon which Ed advised company on “downsizing” strategies so as to ensure continued viability of company’s core manufacturing and technology product lines. Advised company with regard to recent acquisition of former Corning optical subsidiary resulting in sustained growth and profitability as a major nationwide manufacturer of specialized optical products.
Counsel to individuals and families with complex real estate, business and financial assets; formulate and implement wealth transfer strategies through use of business succession plans, grantor retained annuity trusts, qualified personal resident trusts, limited liability companies and other sophisticated planning devices to achieve family objectives and optimize estate tax deferrals and savings.
Memberships:
Boston Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston Estate Planning Council
Awards and Professional Recognition:
Named as a “Super Lawyer,” Massachusetts Super Lawyer, June 2005
Honored as a Founder of the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau, Inc., May 2009
Bar Admissions:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Tax Court
United States Supreme Court
Education:
Boston College Law School, Juris Doctor 1971
Northeastern University, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, 1968
Community Involvement:
• Former Member, Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston Hospice Care (VNAB)
Notable Experience:
Counsel for over 25 years to sole owner and founder of Massachusetts corporation which manufactures, distributes and exports custom packaging and crating solutions. Guided company through multiple acquisitions to increase market share. Implemented long-range wealth transition strategies to reduce estate taxes over three generations of corporate ownership, including generation-skipping strategies and securing of a private letter ruling from Internal Revenue Service in 1979 to freeze estate value of stock owned by founder. Administered founder’s estate in 2002, obtained closing letters from Internal Revenue Service and Commonwealth of Massachusetts confirming success of all long-term strategies so as to substantially limit estate tax impact on company and maximize generational wealth transfers. Counseled shareholders with regard to, and implemented shareholder voting trust to streamline and centralize shareholder decision-making and minimize potential conflicts among third generation owners. Advised in forming board comprised of a majority of outside directors with significant business expertise thus avoiding typical family dominated board structure.
Advised co-owner of closely-held corporation with multi-state manufacturing and distribution locations in $35 million asset sale of largest product division to “roll-up” buyer. Negotiated sale of remaining division to co-owner.
Advised a leading Massachusetts technology corporation in $1 billion plus proposed sale at height of so-called “tech boom” in late 2001. Abrupt changes in the market resulted in company withdrawing from the sale, upon which Ed advised company on “downsizing” strategies so as to ensure continued viability of company’s core manufacturing and technology product lines. Advised company with regard to recent acquisition of former Corning optical subsidiary resulting in sustained growth and profitability as a major nationwide manufacturer of specialized optical products.
Counsel to individuals and families with complex real estate, business and financial assets; formulate and implement wealth transfer strategies through use of business succession plans, grantor retained annuity trusts, qualified personal resident trusts, limited liability companies and other sophisticated planning devices to achieve family objectives and optimize estate tax deferrals and savings.
Memberships:
Boston Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston Estate Planning Council
Awards and Professional Recognition:
Named as a “Super Lawyer,” Massachusetts Super Lawyer, June 2005
Honored as a Founder of the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau, Inc., May 2009