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Natalie Hurley Harden Schmidt

Experience

Natalie is an attorney, accountant, and mediator, with over twenty years of legal experience that includes working (1) for one of the largest, most prestigious, and well-respected firms in Memphis, (2) at a Fortune 100 company with worldwide operations, headquartered in Memphis for nearly a decade, and (3) as a partner in her own firm. She is licensed to practice law in both Mississippi and Tennessee and is a Listed Rule 31 Mediator with Family Law special designation.

2014 –now: Independent Legal Group

2010 - 2013: Counsel On Call, Attorney on Special Projects

1999 – 2009: International Paper Company (Tax Attorney / Manager in Global Tax)

1996 – 1999: Armstrong Allen PLLC, Law Firm (now Adams & Reese), Tax Associate

reporting to Joe Walker, now at Butler Snow LLP: joe.walker@butlersnow.com

1994 & 1995: Burch, Porter & Johnson, Associate in Training (Summer Clerkships)

Education

The University of Memphis—Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law

Juris Doctorate, Law Degree, 1993 – 1996

Law School Highlights:

Law Review Editor (Comments) (3rd yr), and Staff* (2nd yr).

National Moot Court Competition Participant - School Representative

International Court Competition Participant - School Representative

Jessup Moot Court Competition.Participant - School Representative

Published Author: Note, "Religious Entanglement in the Bankruptcy System: Avoidable Transfers and RFRA" Vol. 27, Univ. Mem. L..Rev. 1996.

“Best Oral Advocate” Individual Award , Freshman Moot Court Team Competition for Multiple Appellate Level/Oral Argument Competitions: Honorable Mention

Memphis State University Undergraduate

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), in Accounting,

Magna Cum Laude: 3.52 overall / 4.0 in Major 1989 – 1993

Activities and Societies: Beta Alpha Psi, Honors Accounting Fraternity, Vice President, 1992, 1993, Member, 1991-1993

Honors: Magna Cum Laude, 1993, GPA in Upper Division Accounting Courses: 4.0; Overall: 3.52

Recommendations From Former Employers,

Coworkers, and Fellow Peers

- Available on LinkedIn.com -

“Natalie is a top notch attorney who has always come through for clients in an efficient and cost effective manner. She is thoughtful and never fails to deliver on time and with a great attitude. I can give her my best recommendation!” ~ Andy Branham, Executive Director-Counsel On Call

“Natalie handled complex projects with professionalism and within deadlines. Many of her projects directly impacted the US income tax return of IP. I am happy to recommend her work to interested parties.” ~ Mark Guthrie, Senior Tax Counsel at International Paper Company

“I am confident that Natalie possesses the training and experience to efficiently provide legal services of the highest caliber in a wide range of expertise, including tax, estate planning, corporate and general business transactions. Most certainly, you will have many occasions to consider yourself fortunate for having selected her.” ~ Prince Chambliss, Assistant City Attorney at Law Division, City of Memphis

(Partner at Armstrong Allen PLLC during Natalie's employment with the firm)

"Natalie is a fine business lawyer, experienced and committed to her clients and determined to provide them the counsel they need when they need it."

- Lucian Pera, Partner at Adams and Reese, LLP

(Partner at Armstrong Allen PLLC during Natalie's employment with the firm)

"I had the pleasure of working with Natalie for several years at Armstrong Allen. I found her work to be excellent. Her legal research and writing skills are top-notch and she used her time efficiently to always deliver a product that was timely and to the point. While her concentration was in taxation, she demonstrated a broad range of proficiency in numerous areas of the law. Natalie is a skilled attorney and a joy to work with!"

Kathy Laughter Laizure, Attorney at Dowden, Worley, Jewell, Olswing, & John, P.L.L.C.

(Fellow Associate at Armstrong Allen PLLC during Natalie's employment with the firm)

“Natalie is a very bright and detail oriented attorney. I always have been impressed with Natalie's results, and she is extremely pleasant to work with.”

~ Tucker Dewey, Attorney

(Partner at Armstrong Allen PLLC during Natalie's employment with the firm)

“Natalie has a great deal of very good experience in the area of taxation and accounting and I would recommend her in this area.”

~ John Golwen, Assistant Practice Group Leader -- Litigation Department at Bass, Berry & Sims

(Partner at Armstrong Allen PLLC during Natalie's employment with the firm)

Areas of Practice Offered:

Business Entities: Creation, Merger, Acquisition, Modification, and Administration; Corporations, Multi-Member LLC or Single-Member LLC ( SMLLC ), Partnerships, Non-Profit Entities, and Others

Estates, Wills and Trusts: Creation or Administration; Estate Planning; Probate, intestate, and Estate Administration, All Types of Trusts: Life Insurance Trust, Irrevocable Trust, Gift Trust, Living Trust and Living Wills

Tax Matters: Tax Issues for Individuals & Entities: Tax Controversies and Audits, Planning, Compliance, Document Drafting, Negotiations & Settlements,

Business Transactions: Negotiations (Including Claim Settlements) and Important Associated Tax Consequences, Contract Drafting and General Contract Research, Transaction Planning and Presentation to Groups or Businesses Including Mergers & Acquisitions (with or without Due Diligence, Valuation Studies, and related M&A services*, as needed), Divestitures, Liquidations, Debt & Equity Funding/Financing, ESOPs and other Liquidity / Financing Options, as well as Tax Deferral Strategies.

Family Law & Divorce Issues: Irreconcilable Differences, Contested Divorces, Property Settlement Agreements, Custody Issues, Asset Division Including QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for Splitting Retirement Investments)

Mediation: Training and Experience as a Court-Appointed Neutral for Mediation, Listed as an approved Rule 31 Mediator in Tennessee with Special Training in the Area of Family Law, available to officially Arbitrate Disputed Matters.

Land Use Disputes: Partitions, Divisions, Easements, Right of Way Issues, Governmental / Municipality Disputes, Ownership Disputes, Neighbor or Property Disputes, Deed Drafting Issues, General Closings, Qualifying 1031 Exchanges, Other Ownership Transfers and More

*Natalie is also an actively-practicing experienced Accountant, and separately available for non-legal services as a tax adviser or general financial consultant.*

*Accounting services specifically exclude audits required for publicly traded U.S. corporations, and are separate and distinct from legal representation. Please contact Natalie directly for additional information.

Why us?

We Have Successfully Represented Clients in Tennessee and Mississippi with Various Legal Needs

Including:

Estates, Wills and Trusts:

Creation or Administration; Estate Planning; Probate, intestate, and Estate Administration, All Types of Trusts: Life Insurance Trust, Irrevocable Trust, Gift Trust, Living Trust and Living Wills

Business Entities:

Creation, Modification, and Administration; Multi-Member LLC or Single-Member LLC ( SMLLC ), Partnerships, Corporations, Non-Profit Entities, and Others

Tax Matters:

Tax Issues for Individuals & Entities: Tax Controversies and Audits, Planning, Compliance, Document Drafting, Negotiations & Settlements,

Contract Drafting and General Contract Research

Family Law & Divorce Issues:

Irreconcilable Differences, Contested Divorces, Custody Issues, Asset Division Including QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for Splitting Retirement Investments)

Please call to see whether we have experience that will serve your legal needs. If we cannot help you, we will try to refer you to an attorney that can.