Thomas T. Kawakami is a third generation Japanese American. Mr. Kawakami’s primary focus is advising individuals and privately held businesses on their personal and business affairs with an emphasis on navigating the tax laws to minimize taxes. This focus includes real estate and business structuring, maintenance (through sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations), exchanges, acquisitions, sales and dispositions, formations, reorganizations and dissolutions, inbound and domestic financing, succession planning, intra family transfer planning, and charitable giving. Mr. Kawakami integrates into his services his training as an accountant and over 30 years of experience as a tax and business advisor.
Prior to founding Lamb & Kawakami LLP, Mr. Kawakami was a partner in the business, tax, trust and estates department at Musick, Peeler & Garrett and an associate at the international law firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.
University of San Diego, School of Law, JD - 1986
University of California, Los Angeles, BA - 1983
Our laws and working environment are changing at an exponential rate. My clients often encounter problems arising from those changes and require guidance. My clients ask me to assist them with understanding the issues, identifying the relevant laws or changes to them, and finding alternative, practical solutions. Then I take the next step and bake in the economic and tax implications from different angles, draw on past experiences, and develop and implement a plan of action.
There is an expert for just about everything, however one problem often creates another. My clients have ideas but are frequently overwhelmed. Many times the clients are treading in unchartered waters. At that point my clients tap into my training, past experiences and network to navigate through and resolve the issues. Reaching out to the right person is indispensable.
I pride myself on developing long standing relationships. It is important to me that my client and I trust and respect each other. I take the time, and I am personally vested, in getting to know my clients and their businesses. I take the extra effort to be responsive and efficient. My interaction and reliability are the building blocks.