Smith Anderson Expands Transactional Tax Capabilities with Addition of Jaren Hagler

RALEIGH, N.C. — Smith Anderson has added Jaren Hagler as a partner in the firm’s Tax group. Jaren brings deep experience in complex transactional tax matters, further strengthening the firm’s work across corporate, finance, private equity, healthcare, and other business matters. 

Jaren advises clients on a broad range of federal, state, and partnership tax matters, with sophisticated experience spanning mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, joint ventures, investment structuring, private equity and healthcare transactions, and tax planning. Before joining Smith Anderson, he practiced with a national healthcare-focused law firm and served as Senior Director and Associate General Counsel at a large financial services company. His practice includes advising on the tax aspects of buy-side and sell-side transactions, corporate structuring, tax diligence and tax-related provisions in transaction and investment documents.

"Jaren brings the kind of sophisticated transactional tax experience that is increasingly important to clients navigating complex business transactions," said Managing Partner Byron Kirkland. "His combination of private practice and in-house experience gives him a practical, business-focused perspective with the ability to lead both tax workstreams and support broader deal execution across our firm’s M&A, private equity, healthcare, and finance practices."

The firm’s Chambers USA-ranked tax practice partners with businesses, investors, financial institutions and private equity sponsors to structure complex transactions, manage tax risk and achieve strategic business objectives. The practice advises clients on entity formation of all types; taxable and tax-free corporate acquisitions and divestitures; public securities offerings; joint ventures and entity conversions; partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs) and S corporations; and tax disputes before federal, state, and local tax authorities. Chambers USA has consistently recognized the practice as among the best in North Carolina, with clients describing the firm as "a go-to for tax issues and litigation."

Jaren received his law degree from Washington University School of Law and his B.B.A. in Finance from George Washington University. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Health Law Association, and his background includes volunteer work and recognition for community service, mentorship and student leadership, reflecting his commitment to professional and civic engagement.

About Smith Anderson

Smith Anderson is a leading full-service business and litigation law firm serving regional, national and global companies. Nearly half of our attorneys have joined us from national and international firms, providing clients with a highly experienced and deep bench of support at favorable local market rates. More than half of our partners are recognized in Chambers and Partners, the definitive mark of excellence across the legal industry. It’s our client-focused culture and forward-thinking insights that have shaped Smith Anderson for more than a century as we help guide our clients toward success.