Fred Parker | Gardner Skelton

Fred Parker

Managing Partner

Fred Parker is a transactional attorney (with a background in commercial litigation) who advises clients on business and related tax matters. Fred provides counsel on internal guidance and operations, including entity selection and formation, ownership agreements, employment contracts, employee benefits, interest transfers, federal/state/local taxation, and strategic planning. He also works on external transactions typically involving the negotiation and preparation of third-party agreements, contractor/vendor/distributor relationships, acquisitions and sales, reorganizations, commercial leases, and property transfers. Fred’s practice includes working with nonprofit organizations which face particular federal, state, and local tax laws regulating compliance and governance. While no longer his focus, Fred uses his litigation experience to guide clients through near term and future operations.

Fred's Practice Areas

Corporate Counsel
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. in Taxation 
  • Campbell University School of Law, J.D.
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A.
Admissions
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 
  • U.S. District Courts for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina 
  • U.S. Tax Court
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association 
  • North Carolina Bar Association 
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
Clerkships
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. of the North Carolina Supreme Court  
Speaking Engagements
  • Catawba Valley Community College / Internal Revenue Service - Fall and Spring Joint Tax Programs offered to the Small Business Community 
  • Fayetteville State University Veterans Business Outreach Center, Annual Entrepreneur Boot Camp for Veterans, “Taxes, and Other Legal Issues Facing Your Business” 
  • Wingate University School of Business – Volunteer Teacher on Tax and Business matters 
  • 2021 Continuing Legal Education Program – “Analyzing the Biden Tax Plan: Trends, Predictions, and Practicalities” (www.Lawline.com)
Awards and More
North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star: 2012 - 2014

Approach

Fred’s legal background includes commercial litigation. While not Fred’s current focus, that experience affords him a unique and beneficial perspective to provide clients in advising them on tax and business matters. Fred takes a global view of every project to start broad and consider as many factors as possible, including implementing strategies and contingencies in the event of a dispute down the road.

Making a Difference

Fred is a volunteer lecturer and mentor for North Carolina Community College and University Programs for Students and Small Business Owners, including those offered by the Internal Revenue Service. Fred enjoys working with students and business owners by providing guidance, suggestions, and education on tax and legal matters.

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is an organization of lawyers who provide invaluable legal services to people in need. Fred volunteers to help those facing federal, state, and local tax problems.

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits helps people with great ideas for serving the community. Fred volunteers to assist organizations navigate the complex tax exemption laws so that they can focus on helping others.

Fred and his family love animals. Pug Rescue of North Carolina rescues pugs in crisis. Fred volunteers his legal counsel to the organization, and his family has adopted five pugs - so far... The whole family supports the Charlotte Rescue Mission, Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays, and Second Harvest Food Bank to help ensure no one goes hungry.

Community Involvement
  • North Carolina Community College and University Programs for Students and Small Business Owners – Volunteer Lecturer and Mentor with Fayetteville State University, Catawba Valley Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Rowan Cabarrus Community College, and Wingate University 
  • Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Volunteer Attorney
  • North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, Volunteer Attorney
  • Pug Rescue of North Carolina, Volunteer Attorney and Supporter
  • Supporter of Loaves & Fishes / Friendship Trays, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Charlotte Rescue Mission

More about Fred

Fred enjoys being outside (although, he is quick to say that he is not an outdoorsman), walking dogs, bending the rules in sports/games with his family to make sure he still wins, attempting to golf, and working on his jump shot in case the Charlotte Hornets call looking for a cheap small forward.

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If you are not a current Gardner Skelton client, please do not send any confidential information via email.  Unsolicited emails do not create an attorney-client relationship.  You become a Gardner Skelton client only when the firm agrees to accept your matter.  Until you become a client of our firm, information that you provide to us may not be protected from disclosure. We strongly encourage prospective clients to call our main number at 704.335.0350 and let our receptionist know that you are interested in becoming a client.

Direct Line

(704) 335-0350