John A. Warnick

John A. Warnick became a partner in the Denver office of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP in January, 1999 after practicing in Nevada and Wyoming for twenty years. "JohnA", as his family, friends and colleagues know him, has extensive experience in all aspects of wealth transfer planning as well as in trust and estate administration. JohnA's primary focus is on state-of-the-art techniques for minimizing both transfer and income taxes. However, he balances that enthusiasm for tax savings with insightful questions that insure the planning is congruent with the client’s core values and dreams of what they want to accomplish for their family, friends and charity. 

Working with a team of nationally recognized family wealth coaches and psychologists, JohnA has explored the impact of “emerging adulthood” and “affluenza”. He has pioneered new trust distribution and governance models which will assist trust makers and trustees in their quest to assure that wealth contributes to positive growth in the lives of beneficiaries. JohnA has also drafted significant portions of the recently adopted Wyoming trust protector, trust advisor and directed trust legislation. He has also assisted numerous families in choosing the most favorable trust situs for the tax and non-tax objectives of existing trusts as well as in designing and drafting “new” trusts which have the flexibility to adapt to changing legal and tax climates.

JohnA has authored the leading text for estate planning professionals on the subjects of private annuities and self-canceling installment sales. He has co-authored an article on "Selecting a Trust Situs in the 21st Century" and has worked with corporate trustees in Alaska, Delaware, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming in developing and implementing strategies for minimizing state income tax liability and establishing "dynasty" and domestic asset protection trusts. 

JohnA is a frequent lecturer on tax and estate planning topics. He is admitted to practice not only in Colorado but also has practiced and is currently licensed in two of the domestic tax haven jurisdictions, Nevada and Wyoming.

Professional & Community Affiliations

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow

Best Lawyers in America (Trusts and Estates)

Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors

Colorado Bar Association Section of Taxation - Executive Council Member

Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council

Wyoming Estate Planning Advisory Council