John E. Poffenbarger
Of Counsel | Seattle
Areas of Practice
With nearly 40 years of experience in estate planning, John Poffenbarger assists clients with wills and trusts, estate and trust administration, IRS estate and gift tax matters, and advanced wealth transfer strategies. He also advises on business succession planning, shareholder agreements, and the formation of limited liability entities. John’s clients include some of Seattle’s most prominent musicians, and he has been interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine.
Recognized for his excellence in the field, John has also been named multiple times as a Washington Super Lawyer and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®.
Prior to joining Stokes Lawrence, John practiced at Karr Tuttle Campbell and was a tax specialist with KPMG Peat Marwick.
Admissions
- Washington
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Education
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 1987
- University of Oregon, B.S., 1984, cum laude
Recognition & Honors
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estates (Seattle, WA), 2021-present
- Selected for inclusion as a Washington Super Lawyer, 2002-2023
Publications & Presentations
- “Family Limited Partnerships and LLC’s,” Washington Partnership and LLC Deskbook, Chapter 23 (WSBA 3rd Edition, 2020)
- “Estate Planning for the Creative Person,” Estate Planning Council of Seattle and the University of Washington School of Law, 61st Annual Estate Planning Seminar (Nov. 2016)
- “Succession Planning and ‘Buy-Sell’ Agreements For Closely-Held Businesses,” Washington CPA 59(2) (Fall 2015)
- “Family Limited Partnerships and LLC’s,” Washington Partnership and LLC Deskbook, Chapter 22 (WSBA 2nd Edition, 2010)
- “Family Limited Partnerships and I.R.C. Section 2036,” Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Newsletter (Winter 2004)
- “Family Partnerships—Recent Developments,” Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Newsletter (Spring 2000)
- “The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997: (Some) Relief for the Family Enterprise,” Puget Sound Business Journal (November 1997)
- “Succession Planning for Closely Held Businesses,” Puget Sound Business Journal (November 1996)
- “Successful Estate Planning with a Family Limited Partnership,” Northwest Woodlands Magazine (Summer 1993)
- “Highlights of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990,” Washington State Bar Association, Business Law Section Newsletter (March 1991)
- “General Utilities Repealed: Why Small Businesses Should be Accepted,” 65 Taxes 604 (September 1987)
Professional & Community Activities
- American Bar Association
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
- Tax Section
- Washington State Bar Association
- Partnership Law Committee
- Estate and Gift Tax Committee
- King County Bar Association
- Seattle Estate Planning Council
Background & Interests
Outside of the office, John enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, reading, and playing guitar.
