I Enjoy Being a Ringler Consultant Because...

"I can be a positive factor in helping people resolve their differences."

Introduction

Don has been a settlement consultant since 1996. His focus is tax-efficient settlements. He is now a resource across the country for attorneys, self-insured companies, insurance companies, brokers, and TPAs. Don’s expertise has recently allowed him to expand his service to assist with cutting-edge deferred compensation strategies and dispositions of businesses and real estate. Prior to his focus on settlements, Don worked in financial services. His skills gained while working in the financial arena, along with his 25-plus years of experience working in the settlement industry, add up to proven results for Don’s clients.

Memberships/Sponsorships

• Member – National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA)
• Member – American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC)
• Member – Society of Settlement Planners
• Sponsor – ALFA International
• Sponsor – Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• Sponsor – Wisconsin Association for Justice
• Sponsor – Professional Liability Defense Federation
• Sponsor – Illinois Defense Counsel
• Sponsor – Kid’s Chance of Wisconsin

Certifications

• Certified Life Underwriter (CLU)
• Associate in Claims (AIC)
• Certified Structured Settlement Consultant (CSSC)

Specialization

• The Settlement Tax Group, Inc – Helps craft settlement agreements that position the plaintiff’s settlement for the best tax treatment possible. STG is a sponsor of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Education

• B.A., Marquette University

Presentations and Articles

• Increasing Plaintiffs’ Payoff by Pushing Defendants on Taxes
  Article published by Bloomberg Tax – March 25, 2022
• Strategies for Settlement
  Article published by The CLM Magazine – February 3, 2023
• How Defendants Pay Less By Using Plaintiff Tax Strategies
  Presentation to Federal Bar Association – May 23, 2022
• How the Respondent can Leverage Petitioner Tax Strategies in Settlement Negotiations
  Article published by Illinois Self Insurers’ Association – May 2022
• How the Defense Can Leverage Plaintiff Tax Strategies
  Article published by Professional Liability Defense Federation – Volume 14, Issue 1 – 2022

Personal Information

Don is happily married with three grown children and two dogs. His interests include basketball, golf, tennis, yoga, and the tax code.