James Burns
James Burns
Attorney
Contact
James is a husband of 20+ years and a father to a son who is now completing law school at UC. Hastings. James happens to be an in-demand lecturer on estate, retirement and business protection. James is licensed as an attorney and practices estate planning, asset protection, tax, real estate and corporate transactions. He is author of several books including the widely acclaimed financial book, The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth. He is Principal of The Law Offices of James Burns and CEO of White Diamond Properties, Inc. which is a real estate investment firm.
James served honorably in the United States Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance (akin to Navy SEAL program) where he trained in special operations, hostage negotiations and anti-terrorism. James now serves a new mission which is to preserve estates and reduce retirement poverty in the United States (ranked #16 in retirement security in the world). After military service James parlayed his skill set into executive protection and worked for the late Doris Duke. There he assisted her daughter in establishing one of the first family offices to manage personal wealth and lifestyle assets. He has been quoted and interviewed by numerous media outlets.
James holds two law degrees, (JD) and (LL.M.) Master of Laws in tax and is admitted to practice law by the State Bar of California, U.S. District Court (Central District of California), U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. He has represented clients before the IRS to their complete satisfaction and adulation. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Elder Law College which trains lawyers on special needs planning and how to assist seniors in qualifying for government benefits.
James lives in South Orange County California where he is usually found in the gym or pool when he is not working. He was a tri-athlete in the 1980s while living in Hawaii and practices various types of martial arts and yoga.
Golden Gate University, School of Law
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), Taxation (2000)
- Estate planning for singles, couples & non-citizens. Advanced planning for estates over $22,000,000 and up available couple or $11,000,000 single. We also provide Elderlaw solutions for Medicaid, Medical and other ways to protect assets from nursing care needs.
- Asset protection planning for business owners and larger estates. Fortify your assets from creditors and predators in a litigious world. This includes Elder Law.
- Commercial transactions (contracts, business sales/purchase, shareholder agreements, operating agreements and more). From commercial real estate leases to vendor agreements we’ve seen/done and negotiated hundreds over the past 2 decades. We provide entity selection both domestic & international, tax planning, distribution, strategy, marketing and funding or using investors. M&A ($3mm – $20mm).
- Captive Insurance Company formation – why not self-insure for the 82 or more liabilities all companies face in the marketplace along with significant tax advantages and asset protection. Almost every company should get a consult; please request a discovery call.
- Tax Planning and reporting – we have a team of CPAs, Enrolled Agents and can assist on everything from normal tax preparation to tax resolutions with the IRS and state tax authorities. Also, includes optimizing your structure to reduce tax as there are 2 tax systems; one for those who know and one for those who don’t know how to reduce taxes. Experienced international tax advisor available. *
- Real estate transactions – we have done every type of real estate transaction from fix-n-flip to representing buyers/sellers of both residential, commercial and hospitality real estate. We are licensed brokers as well as attorneys or CPAs reviewing a deeper level of the transaction than just looking at the commission. We also have access to funding by way of EB-5 and investor seminars in Asia, Middle East & South America.
- Insurance – we assist in customized life insurance structures for business owners and high net worth individuals. Our team members have several decades of creative and custom-made planning that exceeds normal market applications. We can also design a funded premium program which reduces capital risk and affords the opportunity to use leverage.
- Immigration – now more than ever you need an experienced team to help traverse the landscape of immigration. Whether we have an entrepreneur looking to come to the U.S. to start a business under EB-5 or other situation we have the team to accommodate the goal. We also provide reverse immigration consulting for those who want to leave the US and consider citizenship or a second passport in another tax friendly jurisdiction.
- Funding for companies and commercial property. Our lead advisor has been successful in all cases he confirms he can fund and does not take on any he cannot. This is not hard money and all circumstances and situations create what the rate might be but access to capital happens much faster than big banking.
- The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth(Link)
- White Diamond Publishing and Arbor Books (January 2008)
- “Fire Sale”
- Wiley & Sons – Canada (2010)