Denise Hoffman White

Managing Partner

email:  dhoffman@hn-colaw.com
direct:  720 974 9420

Denise has a Masters in Taxation from New York University School of Law, and represents both individual and organizational clients in all aspects of tax planning and controversy resolution. Denise's practice is primarily focused upon tax exempt organizations, estate and business succession planning (including federal estate and gift tax planning), trust and estate litigation and business planning that ranges the spectrum from formation to disposition and all related tax consequences.

Custom estate and business succession planning is a cornerstone of Denise’s practice. Denise works closely with a variety of clients, including entrepreneurs, corporate executives, professional athletes, investment bankers, real estate developers, family offices and philanthropists to help them identify their objectives and provide creative and pragmatic solutions designed to meet their specific goals. Denise's recent representations frequently include the following types of issues:

  • advises independent executors and trustees as they navigate sensitive family, financial and tax issues relating to the administration of estates and trusts - this oftentimes involves litigation and alternative dispute resolution;
  • represents family members and professionals at multi-generational family offices on estate planning, trust administration and tax reporting issues; and
  • assists individuals with their complex multi-national tax issues relating to trusts where the settlor and beneficiaries reside in multiple countries.

Nonprofit and tax exempt organizations rely upon Denise’s experience as they work to resolve critical tax and business issues. She advises nonprofit organizations from the time of initial formation through an ultimate dissolution and can navigate the IRS initial application process, ongoing federal and state tax compliance, corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters. Representative client matters include: affiliated business enterprise/joint venture structures between tax exempt and taxable entities; advice related to political and lobbying activities; audit and tax controversy resolution; Form 990 preparation; and Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) Analysis. Our nonprofit clients are both public charities and private foundations, national and international charities, schools and educational – including colleges and universities, cultural institutions, social service agencies, research organizations, trade and professional associations, social clubs, religious organizations and advocacy groups.

Our firm is focused on building long-term client relationships and we enjoy serving as strategic business advisors to our entrepreneurial clients. Denise works with both new and established companies on sale and acquisition opportunities, corporate restructuring and a range of tax concerns.  The business advisory services are offered to corporations, partnerships and LLCs and cover both operational and legal compliance issues.  Because of the firm’s broad capabilities, Denise will team with her partners in the powerful Litigation, Employment and Real Estate groups to represent her clients in civil courts, arbitral bodies, or before regulatory agencies.  Because of the firm’s broad base of resources Denise is able to assist her clients in this comprehensive and collaborative manner.

ACCOLADES & BAR LEADERSHIP

  • Named in Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of Nonprofit Organizations in 2014-2016, 2018-2020
  • Named by Best Lawyers in America in the area of Nonprofit Law & Trusts and Estates in 2013-2021
  • Named by Best Lawyers - Women in the Law Top Peer Nominated Lawyers in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
  • Named as the Barrister's Best Tax Attorney in 2015 and 2016, by Law Week Colorado
  • Recipient of the 2015 Richard Marden Davis Award
  • Featured in the Denver Business Journal - Making their Mark column in December 19, 2014 Issue
  • Named as 1 of 6 Top Women Lawyers in 2013, by Law Week Colorado
  • Mentor for the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program
  • Fellow Emeritus, Colorado Bar Foundation 2009 - Present
  • Chair of the 2012 Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT) Program, Strategic Planning Committee
  • Chair of the 2011 Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT) Program
  • 2010 Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT) Program Committee Member
  • 2009 Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT) Class Graduate
  • Finalist for 2009 Gary McPherson Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
  • Finalist for June 2009 Law Week Complete Lawyer

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP201

  • Board of Directors, Colorado Lawyers Committee 2018-Present
  • Founder and Board Chair, CHOICE Education Foundation 2012 - present
  • Board of Directors, Colorado Garden Foundation 2010 –2018
  • Board of Directors, Family Tree, 2004 – 2011 (Board Chair 2009 - 2010); Planned Giving Committee Founding Member & Chair, 2005 – 2012
  • Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Leadership Arts Program

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member, Denver, Colorado, California and American Bar Associations
  • Admitted to practice before all Colorado courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. Tax Court

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Hoffman Nies Dave & Meyer LLP (formerly known as Cockrell, Quinn & Creighton, Waggener & Foster LLP, Hoffman Crews Nies Waggener & Foster LLP, and then Hoffman Nies Dave LLP), Partner 2013 - Present (Managing Partner)
  • Mastin Hoffman & Crews LLC (formerly Mastin Law Firm, P.C.), Partner 2010 - 2013
  • Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, 2001 – 2010

EDUCATION

  • 2001 LL.M (Taxation) New York University School of Law
  • 2000 Juris Doctor, California Western School of Law, Cum Laude
  • 1996 Metropolitan State University of Denver, Bachelor of Science