Overview

B.J. Susich’s corporate and tax practice focuses on entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, business tax planning, financings, counsel to professional services firms, joint ventures, business succession planning and the formation and management of nonprofit entities. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

B.J. has served as a Visiting Professor of Law at King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis, as an Adjunct Professor at UC Davis Graduate School of Management, and as an Adjunct Professor at the McGeorge School of Law. He is also a frequent speaker at continuing education courses offered by organizations such as CEB and the Sacramento County Bar Association.

B.J. received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law, and his M.B.A. from University of California, Graduate School of Management. He also earned his E-LL.M. in taxation from New York University. B.J. is a past president of the Sacramento County Bar Association and is a past Sacramento Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree. He was named in the Sacramento Business Journal’s 2018 Best of the Bar List, which recognizes top local attorneys who have been nominated by their peers and vetted by a panel of their peers. He was named a Rising Star in Northern California Super Lawyers and is listed in Sacramento Magazine’s 2016, 2019 and 2021-2023 Top Lawyers Lists.

Education
  • New York University, New York
    Executive Master of Laws in Taxation (E-LL.M.), 2014
  • University of California, Davis School of Law
    J.D., 2006
  • University of California, Graduate School of Management
    M.B.A., 2006
  • Humboldt State University, Arcata/Eureka, CA
    B.S., Business Administration, Accounting, 2000
Admissions
  • State Bar of California
  • Licensed as a California Certified Public Accountant (inactive)
Leadership
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, President (2014); Second Vice President (2013); Taxation Section, Chair (2012); Business Section, Chair (2009 and 2011); Bylaws Committee, Chair (2009-2013); Budget Committee, Chair (2012-2015)
  • Visiting Professor, UC Davis School of Law
  • Adjunct Professor, UC Davis Graduate School of Management
  • Former Adjunct Professor, McGeorge School of Law
Memberships
  • Sacramento County Bar Association, Business and Tax Law Sections
  • California Society of CPAs
Experience

Representative Matters

  • Advise corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and individuals on various business considerations, including entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property matters, executive compensation, financings, joint ventures and succession planning.
  • Advise businesses on tax planning considerations, including reorganization and liquidation strategies.
  • Advise companies and individuals on executive compensation issues, include deferred compensation plans, phantom stock bonus plans, stock options and other management level incentive plans.
  • Advise nonprofit entities on issues related to formation and maintaining tax-exempt status.
  • Provide various litigation support services, including the identification of claims and defenses, as well as the analysis of fiduciary duties and valuation/forensic reports.

Speaking Engagements

  • “Board Development and Corporate Governance Strategies,” Presenter, Capital Region Family Business Center, Sacramento (June 2023)
  • “Business Law Updates for CPAs and Financial Professionals,” Presenter, Sacramento (2012-2020)
  • “M&A Earn-Outs that Work: Bridging the Valuation Gap Today Without Litigation Tomorrow,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Section (September 2016)
  • “Nonprofit Board Member Fiscal Responsibilities,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association (January 2015)
  • “Business Law Practice: 34th Annual Recent Developments,” Moderator/Panelist, Continuing Education of the Bar (January 2014)
  • “Accounting for Bankruptcy Attorneys,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section (September 2013)
  • “Audit Response Letters: What Attorneys Need to Know,” Presenter, Sacramento (August 2013)
  • “Accounting for Lawyers,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Section (April 2013, January 2010)
  • “2012 Tax Cases: A Year in Review,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association, Taxation Section (January 2013)
  • “Business Law Practice: 33rd Annual Recent Developments,” Moderator/Panelist, Continuing Education of the Bar, Sacramento (January 2013)
  • “Tax Law Updates & Tax Tips for Soon to be Graduates,” Presenter, UC Davis Tax Law Society (February 2012)
  • “Business Law Practice: 32nd Annual Recent Developments,” Moderator/Panelist, Continuing Education of the Bar, Sacramento (January 2012)
  • “Accounting and the Law,” Presenter, Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Section (January 2012)
  • “Careers in Tax Law,” Panelist, UC Davis School of Law, Tax Law Society (April 2011)
  • “The One Hour MBA,” Presenter, Metro EDGE, Sacramento (July 2010)
  • “Accounting and Economics for Attorneys,” Presenter, Placer County Bar Association, Tahoe City (April 2010)
  • “How to Think Like an MBA: Business Concepts for Attorneys,” Presenter, Continuing Education of the Bar, San Francisco and Los Angeles (October 2009)
  • “The Ins and Outs of Working with Valuation and Economic Damages Experts,” Moderator, Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Section (April 2009)

Publications

  • “COVID-19 Tax Impacts,” co-authored with Jeffrey W. Curcio and Brian P. Bowen (May 11, 2020)
  • “COVID-19 Tax Relief,” IRS provisions developed to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus, co-authored with Jeffrey W. Curcio and Brian P. Bowen (April 7, 2020)
  • “How to Claim the New Tax Credits,” New guidance for employers wishing to take advantage of some of the tax credits being offered in recent federal legislation implemented to address COVID-19, co-authored with Jeffrey W. Curcio and Brian P. Bowen  (March 30, 2020)
Awards
  • Named in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Business/Corporate (2019, 2021-2023); Securities and Corporate Finance (2016)
  • Listed as a Rising Star in Northern California Super Lawyers (2012-2019)
  • Named in the Sacramento Business Journal’s Best of the Bar List (2018)
  • Named a Sacramento Business Journal “40 Under 40” Honoree (2011)
  • UC Davis, King Hall School of Law: Moot Court Board Member
  • UC Davis Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
News