Garon Jones
Of Counsel | Yakima
Areas of Practice
Drawing on two decades of experience, Garon helps closely held businesses structure succession plans that balance the business owner’s vision for the future with the needs of the next generation of owners. He is widely respected for his ability to seamlessly guide businesses through this complex process. Garon brings deep knowledge and experience in all aspects of trust and estate law, tax regulations and real estate law. He coordinates succession planning with his client’s accountants, insurance agents, financial advisors, and other trusted advisors to ensure alignment from all stakeholders. Garon’s thorough approach to succession planning ensures his client’s closely held businesses remain protected while finding the right approach for the future that successfully pass along wealth to the next generation.
Garon’s practice also encompasses all aspects of estate planning. This includes drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents. An avid community volunteer, Garon builds homes with Habitat for Humanity internationally and throughout Washington, as well as serving on the Planned Giving Advisory Council for the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.
Admissions
- Washington, 1999
Education
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D. (1999)
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, M.A. in Chinese Philosophy, summa cum laude (1995)
- Middlebury College, B.A. in Philosophy and B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, cum laude (1992)
Recognition & Honors
- Lawyer of the Year for Trust & Estates by Best Lawyers (2021)
- Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers (2006)
- The Best Lawyers in America in Trusts and Estates (2009, 2018 - 2024)
Representative Work
Common representations involve:
- Drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents
- Consulting with owners of closely held businesses on succession planning strategies
- Coordination of business succession plan with clients' accountants, insurance agents, financial advisors, and other advisors to implement the plan
- Preparation of buy-sell agreements
- Formation and ongoing oversight of business entities to achieve liability protection and desired tax treatment
- Counseling fiduciaries in their responsibilities during trust and estate administration
Publications & Presentations
- "Business Succession Planning," Lead Presenter, Women President's Organization Platinum IV Meeting, Chicago (May 2013)
- "Setting a New Course in Your Business Estate Plan," Co-Presenter, Yakima Estate Planning Council (December 2011)
- "Business Succession Planning: Constructing and Implementing a Succession Plan for Closely Held and Family Business," Co-Author with Andrew Heinz, Business Law Section, WSBA (Winter 2010 - 2011).
Professional & Community Activities
- Union Gospel Mission of Yakima: Planned Giving Advisory Council
- Yakima Greenway Endowment: Board Member, President
- WSBA—Real Property, Probate & Trust Section: Co-Chair of RPPT Midyear Conference (2013)
- Yakima Estate Planning Council: President; Treasurer
- Washington Attorneys Assisting Nonprofit Organizations: Board Member
- Yakima Sunrise Rotary: Rotarian; Board Member; Chair of the Vocation Day Committee, Community Service Committee and the World Community Service Committee
- Rotaplast International: Non-Medical Volunteer on trips serving San Salvador, El Salvador, Cumaná, Venezuela and Lima, Peru
- Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity: Board Member; Chair of the Family Selection Committee
- Habitat for Humanity—Global Village builds in China, El Salvador, Vietnam, Paraguay, Macedonia, and Zambia
- United Way of Yakima County: Board Member; Secretary; Co-Chair Allocations/Community Investment Panels
- Montessori School of Yakima: Board Member; Treasurer
- Yakima County Development Association: Community Ambassador
- Allied Arts of Yakima Valley: Board Member; Chair of the Fresh Hop Ale Festival Beer Judging Committee
- Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties: Steering Committee Member
- Team Yakima Volleyball Club: Coach
- Spikers Volleyball Club: Coach
Background & Interests
Before joining the firm, Garon was a shareholder with Velikanje, Moore & Shore, P.S. in Yakima. Garon also served as in-house counsel for two years for Wilkinson Development, LLC, a company that raised private equity and developed senior housing facilities. In addition to his international travel, Garon enjoys coaching volleyball and working on classic Volkswagens.
