Wells Hall

Wells is an accomplished tax attorney with extensive experience in advising clients on the tax aspects of acquisitions, reorganizations, business entity restructurings, and private equity transactions. His practice encompasses a broad range of tax matters, including transactional tax structuring and planning, advising limited partnerships and investment trusts, opportunity zone planning, and related matters. Wells draws on his decades of experience to provide clients with strategic and effective counsel. 

Prior to joining Maynard Nexsen, Wells served as a partner at a large national firm, where he developed a robust tax practice. He continues to draw upon that experience in advising clients on complex tax matters. 

Wells is deeply committed to his work, as evidenced by his consistent professional recognition and role as a thought leader in the legal community. He has been AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1985 and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for tax law since 2017. Additionally, Wells regularly publishes articles and presents on a variety of tax law topics.

He earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law, where he served as the Editor in Chief for the Duke Legal Research Program. He earned his B.S. from North Carolina State University. 

Community & Professional

• American Bar Association
  • Section of Taxation, Chair (2022–2023); Chair-Elect (2021–2022); Vice Chair, Pro Bono and Outreach (2013–2016); Member of Council (2007–2010)
  • Special Projects Committee, Chair (2006-2008)
  • S Corporation Committee, Chair (1996-1998)
• American College of Tax Counsel
  • President (2018-2020)
  • Vice President (2018)
  • Secretary/Treasurer (2017-2018)
  • Regent (2013-2016)
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, North Carolina
  • State Chair (1997-2002)
  • Regent (2002-2005)
• American College of LLC and Partnership Attorneys, Founding Fellow (2021)
• American Tax Policy Institute, Trustee (2018-Present)
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Young Lawyers Division, Chair (1984-1985)
  • Tax Section, Chair (1986-1988)
  • Board of Governors (1989-1992)
  • Joint Subcommittee of the Taxation and Business Law Sections to draft the 1999 Revised North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act, Chair
• One of original drafters of the North Carolina S Corporation Income Tax Act, and the Model S Corporation Income Tax Act endorsed by the American Bar Association and the Multi-State Tax Commission (1987)
• Member of drafting committee for the original enactment and subsequent revision of the North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act (1993, 1999, 2013)
• Columnist, Journal of Passthrough Entities, Walters Kluwer
• Editorial Board, Journal of Business Entities, Thomas Reuters (2000–2016)
• Editorial Board, Journal of Multi–State Taxation and Incentives, Thomson Reuters (2000–2012)
• Chair, National Association of State Bar Tax Sections (1990–1991)
• Board of Advisors, Planning Committee, J. Nelson Young Tax Institute (1981–present)
• Chair, Southeast Region IRS/Bar Liaison Committee (1989–1990)
• Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Mecklenburg County Bar (1982–1983)
• North Carolina 4-H Development Fund, Inc.
  • President (2009-2010)
  • Board of Directors (2006-Present)
  • Vice President (2007-2008)
• North Carolina FFA Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors (2015-Present)
• Opera Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Board of Directors (2003-2012)
  • Chair (2007-2009)
  • Endowment Board (2009-Present)
• Duke University School of Law, Board of Visitors (2007-Present)
• Duke Law School Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Advisory Board (2006-2008)
• Greater Charlotte Heart Ball, American Heart Association, Charlotte Chapter, Member of Executive Committee, Co–Chair, Auction Committee; Co–Chair, Charlotte Heart Society Patron Committee (2005–2012)

• Handled tax structuring and planning for significant transactions involving pass-through entities, including mergers and acquisitions when an S corporation or LLC is the target. 
• Advised sponsors of real estate investment funds, including limited partnerships, limited liability companies, real estate investment trusts, UPREITs, and combined fund structures, on complex tax and structure matters. 
• Advised entrepreneurs, startups, and venture capital investors on structure, choice of entity, and qualification for qualified small business stock treatment under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Represented taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, the North Carolina Department of Revenue, the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, and Tax Commissions of multiple states in individual and corporate tax audits and appeals.
• Participated in preparation of comments by the ABA Section of Taxation regarding the need for published guidance and proposed regulations with respect to the scope of a specified service trade or business within the meaning of new section 199A and proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 1411 of the Internal Revenue Code (net investment income tax).

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Tax Law (2017-2026), Trusts and Estates (2017-2020)
• Life Achievement and Service Award Recipient, North Carolina Bar Association Tax Section (2023)
• Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business Tax - North Carolina (2020-Present)
• Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite for "Tax and Estates" (2012, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2024)
• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent®, Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence; Distinguished, Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement (AV rated since 1985)
• North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society - N.C. Pro Bono Resource Center (2017–2020)
• North Carolina Super Lawyers - Tax (2006–2020)
• Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award, American Bar Association Section of Taxation (2017)