J. GRAVES THEUS, JR.

J. Graves Theus, Jr. is a fourth generation Louisiana lawyer with deep roots in this community.

He received an LL.M. in Tax Law from Boston University School of Law in 1997, after graduating, cum laude, from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1996.  He practiced in Seattle, Washington until 1999, when he joined a prestigious law firm in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was a shareholder there until 2013, when he began his private practice.

Graves is certified by the Louisiana State Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Tax Law, as well as Estate Planning and Administration, and is an approved title agent. Graves is also accredited by the Veterans Administration to assist veterans with their pension claims.

Graves has served as a trustee for several community organizations, including Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria Music Project, Arts Council of Central Louisiana, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Country Day School and Tipitina’s Foundation Advisory Council.

He lives in Alexandria, Louisiana, with his wife, Anna, and their four children.

Representative Matters:

• Advises and represents individuals in estate, business, risk management and tax matters.
• Advises and represents individuals and businesses in asset protection and risk management matters.
• Advises and represents closely held businesses and their owners in general business matters, including organizational and operational issues, employment agreements, buy-sell agreements and business succession planning.
• Structures and implements business reorganizations, acquisitions, exchanges and dissolutions.
• Advises and represents hospitals, private physician groups and healthcare organizations.
• Advises and represents tax-exempt entities (charitable and non-charitable) in all areas of organization, operations, reorganization and dissolution, including particular issues with obtaining and preserving tax-exempt status and joint ventures.
• General counsel for Louisiana State board overseeing regulation of private professional practices in all matters concerning licensing, legislation and regulation.
• Represents national factoring company in court proceedings to approve transfers of structured settlement contracts throughout the State of Louisiana.
• Represents local governmental bodies in commercial transactions and private-public joint ventures and cooperative endeavors.
• Successfully represented general partners of family partnership in obtaining judgment securing $1.7M in partnership assets thereby preventing surviving spouse of second marriage from wasting funds through power of attorney over elder partner with diminished capacity.
• Successfully represented heir in suit to annul last will and testament obtaining judgment establishing under Louisiana law that a person cannot judicially confess to an absolutely null testament despite earlier participation and/or acquiescence in the succession.
• Successfully negotiated favorable settlement of numerous disputes regarding separate or community property characterization of multi-million dollar business interests.
• Successfully defended (with co-counsel) start-up venture and its founding members in an action for damages relating to the dilution of ownership interest of a minority member following the sale and issuance of interest to new investors.
• Successfully represented non-resident defendant overturning on appeal a default judgment obtained by long-arm service imposing substantial liability for alleged breach of duties to beneficiaries of a trust.
• Representative Cases:

               In The Matter of The Succession of Elmoses Ivey, Case No. CA 17-653 (La. App. 3 Cir., 2018)

               In The Matter of The Succession of John Robert Biscamp, 211 So.3d 472 (La. App. 3 Cir., 2017)

               Duhon v. Brouillette, 195 So.3d 658 (La. App. 3 Cir., 2016)

              In Re Succession of Stalter, 182 So.3d 1145 (La. App. 3 Cir., 2015)

              Belgard v. Manchac Technolgies, LLC, 92 So.3d 660 (La. App. 3 Cir., 2012)

Prior results do not guaranty a similar outcome

Professional Memberships / Certifications:

• Louisiana State Bar Association (since 1999)
  • Tax Specialization Advisory Commission (2009-2012)
    • Secretary (2009-2010)
    • President (2010-2011)
    • President (2022-2023)
  • Estate Planning & Administration Advisory Commission (2012 – 2013)
• Louisiana State Board of Legal Specialization
  • Board Certified Tax Law Specialist
  • Board Certified Estate Planning & Administration Specialist
• Washington State Bar Association (since 1996)
• Alaska State Bar Association (since 2017)
• Alexandria Bar Association (since 1999)
• Veterans Administration Accredited (since 2017)
• Crossroads-American Inns of Court of Alexandria-Pineville (2002-2008)

Presentations and Publications:

The Changing Face of Asset Protection

The 29th Annual Roundup – Continuing Legal Education (CLE), November 14, 2018 (Leesville, LA)

Complex Issues In Estate Administration

National Business Institute – Continuing Legal Education (CLE), August 15, 2017 (Alexandria, LA)

National Business Institute – Continuing Legal Education (CLE), August 18, 2017 (Lafayette, LA)

Integrated Asset Protection in Louisiana (Nuts, Bolts and Recent Developments)

Northwestern State University School of Business, 2016

Alexandria Bar Association, 2016

New Remedy for Abuse of Power of Attorney

Northwestern State University School of Business, 2016

Alexandria Bar Association, 2015

Long-Term Care Planning:  Dispelling Myths, Louisiana Baptist Convention, 2015

Asset Protection Planning, Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, 2011

Estate Planning, Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, 2010

Volunteer Activities:

Alexandria Museum of Art, Trustee (2000-2006)

Alexandria Music Project, Trustee (2004 – Present)

Arts Council of Central Louisiana, Trustee (2004 – 2007)

Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Trustee (2005-2008)

Alexandria Country Day School, Trustee (2013 – Present)

Tipitina’s Foundation Advisory Council (2014 – Present)

Recognition/Honors:

AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell
American Jurisprudence award in Estate Planning (1996) and Legal Research and Writing (1995)
Deans List of Academic Excellence (3 semesters; 1995-96)
Meritorious Scholarship (1995-96)

Education:

Boston University School of Law, Boston, MA (LL.M, Tax, 1997)
Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, WA (J.D., cum laude, 1996)
Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (B.A., Economics, 1988)

Client Recommendations:

• “As a recent client, I highly recommend Graves Theus as an attorney who has shown an amazing ability to handle extremely challenging cases in a most professional way.  He is very thorough in assessing complicated issues and extremely knowledgeable and efficient in his research, linking issues to supportive court citations and rulings.  He is very personable and easy to work with, cautious not to over-react, but instead operates with a well thought-out, carefully planned strategy.  He is very sharp in his thinking, wise in his judgment, and accurate in his strategy.  Communication with his clients is highly commendable.  Top qualities:  Professional and Intelligent.”  (Estate Litigation Client, 2016)
• “You could not ask for a better attorney.  Mr. Theus is honest, dependable, trustworthy!  He will work so hard for you because he wants JUSTICE for his client, which is something you don’t hear a lawyer say very often. He will take time to listen to everything you have to say and will work harder than any lawyer I have ever met.  Mr. Theus you are the best!!”  (Estate Litigation Client, 2015)
• “Mr. Theus has been a tremendous help to me and my clients for several years now. I would recommend him and his firm without hesitation.” (Investment Advisor, 2012)
• “As my family is a jocular group, we require disciplined legal counsel. For 10 years Graves Theus has advised us about financial matters, wills, trusts, and now a succession. He is helpful and circumspect and his counsel is accurate. For an unexpected imposition of mine, Mr. Theus alertly and immediately resolved my exposure while missing his own family hour. We know Mr. Theus is an informed advocate and we appreciate his representation.” (Estate Planning Client, 2012)
• “Mr. Theus has worked with our business for many years as outside counsel. He has assisted with real estate matters, business succession, and tax planning. I would recommend Mr. Theus to any company or individual who requested a reference.” (Business Client, 2012)
• “Mr. Theus is a true professional. He promptly returns phone calls and emails. His knowledge of the law has been an asset to my company.” (Business Client, 2012)
• “He is thorough and well prepared. He researches well, presents well, and does so professionally without completely alienating the opponent.”  (Peer Review, 2009)

CONTACT J. GRAVES THEUS, JR.