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About Attorney

John Skabelund

John is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client’s assets throughout the United States. His clients describe him as having the heart of a teacher due to his ability to explain complicated topics in plain English.

Experienced and nationally recognized attorney

With more than a decade of experience, John Skabelund has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients’ estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology.

John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations. He also has represented clients in the buying and selling of businesses across a multitude of industries. Furthermore, as an outside general counsel, John has been instrumental in developing succession plans and buy-sell agreements for business owners.

Prior to his legal career, John gained valuable financial insight as an auditor for a public accounting firm and as an entrepreneur, successfully managing companies in real estate development, consulting, and internet services. Having been a business owner himself informs his ability to represent clients with passion, creativity and attention.

Experience

  • Former equity partner at one of the largest law firms in Arizona.
  • Practiced trust and estate litigation for ten years.
  • He has protected clients’ estates with as little as $500,000 to more than $100 million ranging from real estate investors, business owners, executives, doctors, lawyers, athletes, crypto investors, vacation property owners, collectors, inheritances and much more.
  • He creates estate plans for clients no matter their net worth or family dynamic. John is exceptional at creating estate plans that will last for several generations if it is the client’s goal.
  • He has represented clients buying and selling a business in a variety of industries and services. John also represents businesses acting as outside general counsel. He also has created succession plans and buy sell agreements for business owners.
  • Prior to becoming an attorney, John was an auditor for a public accounting firm and owned and operated three companies (real estate development, consulting and internet).

Honors

  • Attorney of the Year Trusts and Estates 2023 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
  • Selected for inclusion for the Top 1% of Attorneys by America’s Most Honored Lawyers
  • Selected for inclusion for Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers
  • Selected for inclusion by Super Lawyers
  • Martindale-Hubbell A/V Preeminent rating (Highest Possible)
  • Client Champion Martindale-Hubbell
  • Judicial Recognition Martindale-Hubbell

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Presented on asset protection topics to national audiences of CPAs and lawyers
  • Member of Wealth Counsel
  • Former Board Member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society
  • Former Boy Scout leader

Education & Licenses

  • J.D. Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Arizona State University
  • MBA W.P. Carey School of Business Arizona State University
  • B.S. Accounting Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Westminster College
  • Member, Arizona Bar Association

What Our Clients Say About Us

"Responsive and Diligent"

John Skabelund was highly recommended to me by my accountant and I could not be more pleased! They have coordinated together to help me set up my relevant business and personal entities and assets in such a professional way that I feel confident moving forward. John is very responsive and diligent in his approach to my needs. I will happily work with him in the future.

Brian le SolarBee

"Christina and her assistant Kristi were amazing!"

Christina and her assistant Kristi were amazing! It took me a long time to get my husband in to get our affairs in order…even he admitted it was a fairly easy process and he’s glad we did it. I feel so much better knowing our wishes are now written down for our family and things will be taken care of in the event something should ever happen to us.

Lynn Kent

"A Breath of Fresh Air"

John and his firm are top notch in both knowledge and service excellence! I have enjoyed working with him in collaboration on several of my CPA client's situations. His process is straightforward and transparent. What he is doing for the industry is simply a breath of fresh air!

Adam Ripperdan

"They listened to what I had to say and then followed through"

I received excellent service from this company. They listened to what I had to say and then followed through with my wishes. My trust turned out exactly how I wanted it. I am very pleased.

Alison Stanford

"John and his team are great to work with"

I highly recommend Skabelund PLLC. John and his team are great to work with. Quick responses to our questions and very helpful when we asked for guidance. If you're looking for a new lawyer, this is your place!

Maryann Schaller

Ready to start your consultation?

Skabelund isn’t just there to draft the estate plan. As important as that is, we know that life changes, goals evolve, and the estate and business plan must adjust appropriately.

We meet with our clients on an annual basis and offer a subscription program for those who would benefit from even more frequent counsel. We’re there for clients in the event litigation arises. We’re with you for the long haul.

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