Brian T. Whitlock

JD, LLM, CPA

Tax Partner

Brian heads Blackman Kallick’s Wealth Transfer and Philanthropy Services. He applies his legal and tax expertise to asset-protection and tax-minimization needs of families, closely held businesses, philanthropic individuals, and not-for-profit organizations.

Through his position as a member of the Tax Legislation and Policy Committee of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Brian frequently sees and comments on new tax legislation before it becomes law. Being on the front lines of developments in Washington, he is able to share early insights with his clients into the implications of these new tax laws on their operational and growth strategies. 

A faculty member at the University of Illinois, Brian brings an educator’s mindset and down-to-earth style to his client engagements. He uses these skills to clarify complex tax and wealth-transfer concepts and offer tactical next steps, and he applies his tax expertise to his clients’ challenges and opportunities through: 

• Navigating income, payroll, and estate tax rules for closely held and family business
• Designing strategies for attracting and retaining key employees for exempt as well as for-profit organizations
• Protecting an organization’s exempt status and minimizing unrelated business income tax (UBIT) as well as penalties that can result from excess benefits
• Assessing and minimizing foreign tax withholding requirements on payments to foreign individuals and organizations
• Establishing and managing private foundations in a tax-efficient manner

Brian understands the fear of unknown risks that can threaten your family’s or organization’s legacy. He knows how to protect assets from lawsuits and other threats, whether by placing them in the protective envelope of a trust or transferring a portion of the value of a business to the next generation without ceding voting control.

He also recognizes that many not-for-profit organizations encounter the same types of issues as small for-profit enterprises. For example, Brian designs strategies for not-for-profits to attract star talent, such as through nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Brian advises many high-profile individuals and families on issues ranging from income and estate tax planning to the establishment of private foundations. He provides needed support to the family or individual in designing the foundation’s charter, qualifying it as a tax-exempt entity, and complying with rules regarding related business income, among other services.

Prior to joining Blackman, Brian practiced law with a Chicago firm, where he designed and implemented qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, employment agreements, and other corporate contracts for not-for-profit and for-profit entities.

Credentials and Professional Involvement

Brian teaches graduate-level tax courses at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also is a regularly featured speaker at the AICPA National Tax Conference in Washington, D.C. Numerous CPA, financial planning, and other trade associations invite Brian to speak on income, estate, and not-for-profit tax issues. 

In addition to his position on the Tax Legislation and Policy Committee, he also serves on the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Tax Advisory Committee. He has served as Chair of the Board and Treasurer of ICPAS, as well as Chair of the Tax Advisory Committee. Brian also is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. 

Brian earned a BA from Northwestern University, a JD from IIT/Chicago–Kent College of Law, and an LLM in Taxation from ITT/Chicago-Kent.

Articles by Brian Whitlock

• Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefits Extended
• Congressional Inaction Creates Estate Planning Mess
• Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Extends Charitable Giving Provisions
• Understanding Unrelated Business Income
• IRS Releases New Version of Form 990

News about Brian Whitlock

• Whitlock Presents a Workshop on Affordable Care Act and Small Businesses
• Whitlock Speaks to the Rockford Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society
• Whitlock Speaks at the Greater Chicago Chapter FSP 40th Annual Seminar
• Whitlock Speaks at the Independent Jewelers Organization
• Whitlock Speaks at the International Association of Insurance Receivers (IAIR) - 2011 Insolvency Workshop
• Whitlock Presents a Workshop at the Illinois CPA Society Headquarters
• Whitlock Speaks to the Fox Valley Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society
• AMBA Webinar: "How Will Federal Healthcare Changes Impact Your Company?"
• Whitlock Named "Faculty MVP" of the Masters in Taxation Program at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
• Whitlock Presents "Working with Form 990: Lessons Learned"