David A. Greene, JD/CPA

There is a lot of anxiety found at the intersection of death and taxes. Much of my work is aimed at relieving that anxiety. This involves educating families about estate planning and administration—how things like wills, trusts, probate and taxes work. It also entails cooperating with families and their other advisors to help them develop plans for the future, and instill confidence that those plans will be carried out according to their instructions. In short, I work to help people care for their loved ones when they’re unable to do so themselves. This sometimes means simply winding up someone’s affairs, and sometimes means a long relationship with the family, handling investments, managing taxes, paying bills and acting as a financial mentor for younger beneficiaries. This cultivates peace of mind that everyone deserves.

My career in the world of estates and trusts began as a high school student debating income tax policy. Ever since I have been either studying or involved in some aspect of estate planning. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Finance collateral. I then earned my Law Degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, concentrating my course work in tax law, corporate law and estate planning. I am licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Virginia, and am a Certified Public Accountant.

I have experience in legal practice as an estate planning attorney and in the tax department of a public accounting firm. In these roles I advised clients of all wealth levels on tax efficient wealth transfers, business succession strategies, asset protection devices, and appropriate beneficiary designations, among other things, and prepared income tax returns for individuals, estates and trusts, as well as estate and gift tax returns.

When my father died unexpectedly, I came face-to-face with the legal, financial, and emotional turmoil that death brings as I helped guide my own loved-ones through the impact of his loss. I saw first-hand the benefit of having a plan in place, and the challenge of implementing the plan in the context of grief.

My exposure to this field from so many different angles puts me in a unique position to meet people where they are, help them identify their concerns and their goals, and ensure those concerns are addressed so that their desires are carried out when the time comes.

My wife and I have a daughter and two sons, and much of my time away from work is enjoyed in their company. I also enjoy photography, watching baseball and football, playing ultimate frisbee, traveling and hiking. I am a member of the Tri-Cities Estate Planning Council where I have served as President and Vice President, the Land of the Sky Estate Planning Council in western North Carolina, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Bar Association, Kingsport Bar Association, Washington County Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. I previously coached an award-winning high-school mock trial team, and in 2015 was recognized by the Business Journal of the Tri-Cities as one of 40 under Forty emerging stars of the business community.  I also serve on a committee of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, where my family and I are members.