Yacht Law
Acquisition, Usage, and Taxation
OUR MISSION: To provide high-quality, dedicated legal services to yachting clients, providing expert guidance on
vessel ownership structures and multi-state usage to minimize taxation.
Robinson Law is uniquely positioned as the only law firm within Washington that devotes its practice exclusively to yacht law. Sales and use tax laws are specific to each state, and as such, our firm’s capabilities in handling transactions and taxation issues where the vessel has presence in Washington are unmatched. Whether you’re buying a boat in Washington, buying one out-of-state for use in Washington, or otherwise traveling through or mooring in this State, you can rely upon our particular tax expertise.
We keep abreast of Washington’s as well as other states’ laws on yacht taxation. Robinson Law has spearheaded the review of regulations expanding tax exemptions for nonresident-owned boats in Washington, and we continue to be at the forefront of proposed legislation that impacts vessel transactions in this State.
We guide our yachting clients through each stage of the acquisition process – from planning the ownership structure through closing and delivery. We also advise owners on tax issues arising from usage of their boat, including handling tax assessment disputes and obtaining tax rulings.
- Ownership Structures
- LLC Acquisitions
- New Construction
- Purchases and Sales
- Taxation
- Cross-Border Transactions
- LLC Formations
- Chartering
- Offshore Delivery
Fred Robinson
J.D., L.L.M. (Taxation)
Attorney Fred Robinson devotes his practice to yacht transactions and taxation. His 40 years of experience in yacht law, combined with his extensive background in taxation, sets him apart from his peers and adds enormous value to his practice.
Fred obtained his undergraduate business degree from Seattle University, his law degree from Santa Clara University, and his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida. He worked as an IRS agent after college. He later passed the Washington CPA exam and worked for two international CPA firms: Ernst & Whitney (now Ernst & Young) in its National Tax Department, and Touche Ross (now Deloitte Touche). As a practicing attorney, he was a partner for many years at the law firm of Carney Badley Spellman.
Fred is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, the International Yacht Brokers’ Association (Florida), the Northwest Yacht Brokers’ Association, and the U.S. Superyacht Association. He is a founding member of Superyacht Northwest. Fred is a frequent speaker at national and regional yacht shows and trade associations.
Erin Pedras
Paralegal
Erin is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College. She has 15 years of paralegal experience and is adept at each phase of the legal documentation process involved in yacht transactions.
Yachi Liang
Paralegal
Yachi is a graduate of the University of Michigan and obtained her paralegal certificate in 2005. Her experience includes handling vessel and LLC formations and acquisitions.
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