A headshot of Craig Janes.

Craig L. Janes

Senior Tax Adviser
Seattle

Craig L. Janes is a Certified Public Accountant who advises high net worth individuals and families on estate, gift, trust, and charitable planning matters, with an emphasis on transfer tax compliance, transfer tax controversies, estate administration and termination, and estate tax financing.

As the former National Director of Estate, Gift, Trust and Charitable Services for Deloitte Tax LLP, Craig brings a wealth of sophisticated accounting and business experience to Ballard Spahr, and works closely with our attorneys to meet clients’ unique estate, charitable, and legacy goals. Craig boasts extensive experience in generation-skipping transfer taxation, estate and trust administration, administration of charitable trusts and residual charitable estates, transfer tax valuation, fiduciary income taxation, and the use of family-controlled enterprises. In addition to his practice, Craig is a respected speaker and author, and frequently comments on new developments in the estate, gift, and trust arena.

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

Certified Public Accountant, Washington

Deloitte Tax LLP, Partner and National Director of Estate, Gift, Trust and Charitable Services, 2002-2024; Partner, 1997-2024

Recognition & Accomplishments

BNA's Eminence Calendar, Featured, 2013

Speaking Engagements

"GST Theory and Application," Southwest Washington Estate Planning Council, May 17, 2022

"Federal Tax Update," East King County Estate Planning Council, September 29, 2021

"To Beg, Borrow, or... Sell: Considerations in Financing the Estate Tax," USC Tax Conference, January 27, 2021

Board Memberships & Community Service

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member

Publications

Co-author, "Essential Tax and Wealth Planning Guide," Deloitte Tax, Annual

Editorial Board Member, "Estate Planning (Warren, Gorham & Lamont)," 2005-2020

Co-author, "Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Tax Returns and Audits," Bloomberg Tax Portfolio No. 822, 3rd Edition, 2018

"Comments on Proposed Rules (REG-127923-15) on Consistent Basis Reporting Between Estates, Beneficiaries," June 8, 2016

Co-author, "Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Tax Returns and Audits," Bloomberg Tax Portfolio No. 822, 2nd Edition, 2004

Credentials 

Education

University of Austin (M.P.A., summa cum laude, 1988)

Utah State University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1985)
Valedictorian, College of Business