Craig Bergez counsels private companies regarding general business matters, and provides tax advice in connection with planning transactions.

Craig’s practice principally involves advising middle market private companies (including family-owned businesses), and their owners, management teams, and investors, regarding acquisition, divestiture, and joint venture transactions, general organizational and operational matters (including choice of entity considerations), capital investment transactions, and executive compensation matters. Craig also has a specialty in transactional tax planning matters (including for tax-exempt organizations), and provides counsel regarding family office matters.

Craig’s industry experience includes oil field and downstream services and products, construction, consumer products and services, real estate, financial services, business services, and industrial services and technologies.

Credentials

Education

LL.M., New York University School of Law, Taxation, 1990

J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1989

B.A., University of California at Berkeley, Biology, 1986

Admissions

Texas

California

District of Columbia

Experience

Craig's experience includes advising:

  • Buyers and sellers in connection with structuring the acquisition and disposition of middle market and lower-middle market companies.
  • Developers and investors regarding organizing and structuring investments in joint venture and other companies holding arrangements for acquiring, developing, managing and disposing of, real estate assets.

  • Founders, owners, and investors regarding organizing and structuring investments in new, growing, and mature companies in numerous industries reflecting the general economy.

  • Operating companies, private equity funds, and other investors engaged in conducting or investing in a variety of industries reflecting the greater Houston, Texas economy.
  • Founders, promoters, and investors regarding organizing, structuring and financing investments in new, growing, and mature private companies.
  • Companies and their owners in connection with structuring relationships with key employees, and planning for succession.
  • Companies and their owners regarding business divorces.
  • European Latin American and other non-U.S. companies on making investments in the U.S.
  • Professional service firms, including law firms, accounting firms, and medical practices, regarding general organizational and operational matters.
  • Executives regarding entering into employment arrangements, and with respect to major transactions involving employers (including sale transactions).
  • Private companies as general counsel to their owners regarding day-to-day operational and other recurring matters.
  • Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations – including public charities, private foundations, and trade associations – on organizational and operational matters.
  • Founders and investors regarding structuring early stage, growth, and other investments in operating companies.
  • Promoters and investors regarding organizing and structuring investments in private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds.
  • Companies and investors in connection with structuring US cross-border transactions.

Newsroom

News

Media Mentions

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • “Advising a Closely Held Client on a Merger or Acquisition” (Panelist) – The University of Texas School of Law 70th Annual Taxation Conference
    Speaking Engagement, 12.01.2022
  • "The Tax Legislation Formerly Known as the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' - Selected Partnerships Tax Provisions," Houston Tax Roundtable (02/15/18); Wednesday Tax Forum
    Speaking Engagement, 03.27.2018
  • "Partners as Employees: The End of Dual Status?" Wednesday Tax Forum
    Speaking Engagement, 02.14.2017
  • "M&A Issues Involving LLCs, Partnerships & Hybrids," Bloomberg BNA Conference on U.S. Taxation of Mergers & Acquisitions
    Speaking Engagement, 12.14.2015
  • "Partnership Divisions - Texas State and Federal Income Tax Law Considerations," Wednesday Tax Forum
    Speaking Engagement, 05.19.2015
  • "Partnerships Taxation - Recent Developments," Houston Bar Association Taxation Section
    Speaking Engagement, 09.17.2014
  • Speaking Engagement, 08.29.2014

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, University of Houston Law Center, Partnership Taxation (2011-Present), Business Planning (2004 - 2006).

Houston Bar Association, Tax Section, Member; Council (2009-Present); Chair (2013-2014); Chair-Elect (2012-2013); Secretary (2011-2012); Treasurer (2010-2011)

Houston Bar Association, Mergers & Acquisitions Section, Member

American Bar Association, Member

Houston Tax Roundtable, Member, President (2010-2011)

Wednesday Tax Forum, Member

The Center Foundation, Board of Trustees (2004-2009)

The Center Houston (f/k/a The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation), Board of Directors (1999-2004)