Allan G. DonnMember
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Allan is a nationally recognized authority in estate planning, partnerships, limited liability companies, and taxation. Over his career, he has guided some of the most sophisticated business ventures, from structuring nationwide construction equipment companies and publishing enterprises to joint ventures between U.S. and Canadian media companies. Publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, and family-owned businesses alike rely on his counsel to align governance structures and tax strategies with long-term objectives. Allan’s influence extends beyond individual transactions. He has played a leading role in shaping the very laws that govern business entities, serving as Chairman of the Joint Editorial Board on the Uniform Unincorporated Organization Acts and as ABA Advisor to multiple Uniform Law Commission drafting committees. He is co-author of the Revised Uniform Partnership Act (Thomson Reuters), editor of Limited Liability Companies in Virginia, and a frequent contributor to the Journal of Passthrough Entities. At Willcox Savage, Allan translates his legislative and scholarly work into practical, forward-looking solutions for clients facing complex legal and business challenges. |
Counsel on Complex Business VenturesAllan has advised on high-stakes transactions that shaped industries. He structured a joint venture between a national cable programmer and a Canadian media company to launch a Canadian weather service, formed a Delaware LLC for a nationwide construction equipment business, and created a partnership for a major publishing company.
Advising Investors and Institutions
NYSE-listed companies and venture capital firms consistently turn to Allan for counsel. He has drafted and negotiated limited partnership agreements for multi-state land development projects in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana. He has also acted as special counsel to investors in media and venture capital partnerships, where his ability to align tax strategy with investment objectives proved critical to long-term success.
Shaping the Law of Business EntitiesAllan’s leadership on uniform laws has set national standards for partnerships and LLCs. As Chairman of the Joint Editorial Board on the Uniform Unincorporated Organization Acts and as ABA Advisor to multiple Uniform Law Commission drafting committees, he has helped shape legislation adopted across the country. He contributed to the drafting of the Uniform Protected Series Act and the ACTEC Model Operating Agreement for family-owned LLCs, both of which have influenced how businesses are structured and governed. His expertise has also been called upon internationally, where he co-authored a legal opinion on the Virginia Limited Liability Company Act submitted in a Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Geneva arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration. In addition, Allan served as a member of the American Law Institute Members Consultative Group on the Restatement of Trusts Third, the Restatement of Agency, and the Restatement (Third) of Property: Wills and Other Donative Transfers, contributing to scholarship that guides courts and practitioners across the country.
Thought Leadership and Scholarship
Allan’s writing and presentations have broadened both scholarly and practical perspectives on alternative entities. He co-authored the Revised Uniform Partnership Act, authored a chapter in the Elgar Handbook on Alternative Entities, and edits Limited Liability Companies in Virginia (6th ed. 2024). His long-standing role as a panelist on ALI-ABA webcasts and contributions to the Journal of Passthrough Entities underscore his reputation as a go-to resource for practitioners nationwide.
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