A momentous event in the life of The Blum Firm occurred 25 years ago when John Hunter joined our law firm family. It was a complete win-win. We provided the client base and planning environment where John could thrive, and John brought us his extraordinary intellect and talents to expand our toolbox and grow our law practice. I often describe John as the smartest lawyer I’ve ever met. On top of that, he possesses the highest integrity and a caring heart. I can’t overstate what John means to The Blum Firm.
Soon after John joined us, I quickly learned about his remarkable gift as a creative problem solver. If the Jeopardy answer were “outside-the-box” thinker, the question would be: Who is John Hunter?” Time after time John comes up with solutions that only his genius brain could produce. Once, he solved a tax dilemma for a client who had searched all over the country and only John solved it. I asked him how he did it. His answer: “Most people start with the current facts and try to figure out a path to the ideal solution. I started with the ideal solution and worked backwards till I got to the current facts.” Only John.
John is the architect of many of our unique tax strategies. He has a built-in barometer for what will work and what won’t. He refined that skill set during his years working at the IRS, trying cases against taxpayers before the U.S. Tax Court. Here’s John’s frequent explanation for giving a proposal the green light or the red light: “If it’s something I would have enjoyed litigating when I was at the IRS, we don’t do it.” John’s track record with the IRS is stellar and under his guidance our clients have prevailed in every single case.
Fortunately for The Blum Firm, soon after John arrived here, he knew he had found his permanent career home. John relates that within months, he refused to take calls from recruiters. Our lawyers are constantly barraged by headhunters trying to lure them away. I’m grateful that John has no interest in even talking to them.
John and his wife Carmen have three terrific kids. He grew up in Arkansas, but made his way to Texas to study economics and accounting at Rice. He remained in Houston for his law degree at U of H, later also becoming a CPA and Board Certified in Tax Law. In 2009, he was honored as Professional of the Year by the Community Foundation of North Texas. We’re grateful his path led him to Fort Worth where we could claim him as our own and never let him go.
Join me in congratulating John Hunter on his 25 year anniversary at The Blum Firm. Here’s to many more years of working together!
Marvin E. Blum
Marvin Blum (right) congratulates John Hunter on his 25th anniversary at The Blum Firm.
