Home / Lawyers / Daniel A. Palmer ("Danny")

Danny joined Haley & Olson in May, 1986. Danny is a shareholder and director of the firm and is a Board Certified Tax lawyer by the Louisiana State Bar Association Specialization Board.

Danny’s areas of concentration are in the fields of estate planning, probate, mergers and acquisitions, franchising, business planning, employment contracts for physicians, creditor planning, taxation, financial planning for the elderly and employee benefits.

Danny was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and received both his undergraduate degree and law degree from LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In addition, Danny received a master’s of law degree in taxation (LL.M.) from SMU Law School. Danny was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in July, 1985 and the Texas Bar in October 1986 and is licensed to practice in the States of Texas and Louisiana and the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the U. S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, and the U. S. Tax Court.

EDUCATION

  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (B.A. – Accounting) 1982
  • Louisiana State University – Paul M. Hebert Law School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (J.D.) 1985
  • Southern Methodist University – Dedman School of Law, Dallas, Texas (LL.M. – Taxation) 1986

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • State Bar of Texas
  • State Bar of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Tax Court

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Louisiana State Bar, Member
  • State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Committee
  • Southern Methodist University, Guest Lecturer
  • State Bar of Texas, Member
  • Waco Estate Planning Council Board of Directors (1993-1996) and President (1995)
  • Waco-McLennan County Bar Association, Member
  • Ted Nash Long Life Foundation, Director (1998-current)
  • Waco Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors (2007-2010)
  • Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
    • Board of Directors (1996-1998, 2003-2006)
    • Leadership Waco Class (1990)
    • Leadership Waco Alumni (1991-current)
    • Leadership Waco Curriculum Committee (1994, 1995)
    • Sports and Recreation Committee (1988-1998)
    • Golf Tournament Chairman (1993, 1994, 1995)
    • Small Business Committee (1992-1993)
    • Starburst Texas-New Mexico Junior College Basketball Tournament Chairman (1997, 1998)
    • Business Retention Committee (1998-2001)
    • Starburst Junior Golf Classic Committee (1999, 2000)
  • Keep Waco Beautiful Systems Board of Directors (1988-1989)
  • Midway Little League
    • Board of Directors (1997-2002)
    • Executive Committee and Player Agent (2001, 2002)
    • Manager (1999-2003)
  • Community Cancer Association, Director (1994-2000)
  • Hillcrest Hospital Board of Visitors, Director (1996-2002)
  • American Cancer Society – McLennan County Division, Co-Chairman Waco Cattle Baron’s Ball for the American Cancer Society (1996)
  • American Cancer Society – Texas Division National Gala Task Force
    • Board of Directors (2000-2009)
    • Vice-President/President-Elect (2005)
    • President (2006)
  • Austin Avenue United Methodist Church
    • Board of Trustees (1994-1995)
    • Administrative Board (1991-1995)
    • Finance Chairman (1993- 1994)
    • Chairman of Endowment Funds (1995)
  • Austin Avenue Montessori School Board of Directors (1990- 1993)
  • First United Methodist Church of Waco
    • Finance Committee (1999-2001; 2005-2009)
    • Administrative Board (1999-2001)
  • Greater Waco Rotary Club, Member (1998-2003)
  • Midway Independent School Board Education Foundation Board of Directors (2001-2005)
  • Ridgewood Country Club
    • Board of Directors (2003-2008)
    • Vice-President/President-Elect (2005)
    • President (2006)
    • Past-President (2007)
    • Golf Committee Chairman (2004-2005)
    • Men’s Golf Association President (1993-1994)

PUBLICATIONS, HONORS & AWARDS

Given numerous lectures to individuals and groups, both layman and professionals, on estate planning and taxation, including the following:

  • Asset Preservation – Central Texas Society of CPA’s (1992 and 1994), McLennan County Family Practice Residence Program (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Fellowship Program (1993, 1994, 1995, 1998), Waco-McLennan County Bar Association (1992), McLennan County Medical Society (1994), PaineWebber Seminar Series, Corpus Christi (1994, 1995), PaineWebber Insurance Coordinator Regional Meeting (1994), PaineWebber Broker Series, Dallas, San Antonio (1996), Ft. Worth (1997), Waco Association of Life Underwriters (1996); Texas Society of Certified Public Accounts (Houston Chapter) (1998); Texas Medical Association and Texas Medical Liability Trust (Hillsboro, (2002), Waco (2002);
  • Estate Planning for the Elderly – Waco Estate Planning Council (1993, 1999), United Bank of Waco “Over 55″ Club (1988); Providence Hospital Foundation (1998);
  • Why Do I Need A Will? – Texas National Bank Trust Department Seminar (1994), Veteran’s Administration Seminar (1992);
  • The State of Your Estate – PaineWebber Summer Series for Women (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004), Hillcrest Hospital Hospice Training Programming (1996, 1997), Austin Avenue Methodist Church Seminar (1996), PaineWebber Seminar Series, McAllen (1996, 1997), Waco Business Women’s Club (1996), Catholic Diocese (1996); PaineWebber Forum Series, Dallas, Texas (1998) PaineWebber Seminar Series, Dallas, Texas (2000), Ft. Worth (2000); First United Methodist Church (2006);
  • The Rules of OSHA for Physicians Regarding Blood-Borne Pathogens – Hillcrest Hospital (1991, 1992);
  • Criteria in Selecting an Attorney – KWTX Noon Hour Interview for Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association (1990);
  • What is the 1986 Tax Act All About? – First National Bank of Mexia (1987), Farmers and Merchants Bank of Mart (1987), Waco-McLennan County Bar Association (1987), Haley, Davis, Wren, Bristow & Rasner, P.C. Firm Seminar (1986);
  • Do I need a Living Trust? – Hillcrest Hospital Hospice Training Programming (1995), First United Methodist Church Senior’s Seminar (1995);
  • Advanced Estate Planning Techniques for the 90′s – Central Texas Society of CPA’s (1995), PaineWebber PaceSetters Series, Dallas (1997); PaineWebber Seminar, Waco (1999);
  • Tax Treatment of Qualified Accelerated Death Benefits Under Life Insurance Contracts – PaineWebber Branch Manager/Insurance Coordinator Regional Meeting, Beaver Creek, Colorado, (1996);
  • Why Haven’t You Formed Your Family Limited Partnership? – Central Texas Society of CPA’s (1997), Baylor University Entrepreneur Program Morning Series (1998); Southern Methodist University Family Business Class, guest lecturer (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017);
  • Practical Legal Considerations to be Considered by New Physicians – McLennan County Family Practice Residence Program (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017);
  • 1997 Taxpayer Act – Relief or Grief? – PaineWebber Insurance Training Seminar, Austin (1997);
  • Taxpayer “Hoax” Act of 1997 – PaineWebber Seminar, Ft. Worth (1997); McLennan County Medical Society “Bridging the Gap” Seminar (1997);
  • Beneficiary Designations and Beyond – Waco Estate Planning Council (1997); PaineWebber Seminar, Dallas (1999); PaineWebber Pace Setters Seminar, Houston (2000); PaineWebber BOIC Meeting, Austin (2000);
  • Estate Planning Strategies Using Life Insurance – Providence Hospital Foundation (1999); Midland College Foundation, Inc. and Midland Memorial Foundation Seminar (1999, 2004);
  • Protecting Your Family Business with a Buy/Sell Agreement – Texas A&M Family & Owner-Managed Business Program (1999);
  • Estate Tax Repeal – Providence Hospital Foundation Seminar Series (2000); PaineWebber BOIC Meeting, Dallas (2001);
  • 2001 Tax Act – PaineWebber Seminar, Waco (2001)
  • Special Planning Concerns for the Disabled Client or Disabled Beneficiary – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill – Waco (2003); Autism Support Group – Waco (2006)
  • Basic Estate Planning Strategies for Clients – PaineWebber Seminar, Waco (2003, 2004)
  • American Cancer Society – 2006 Cattle Baron’s Ball Ridin’ Tall Award
  • Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Leadership Waco (1990)
  • UBS  – National Estate Planning Network Attorney
  • Waco Tribune Herald2011 Reader’s Choice AwardsVoted Best Attorney in Waco – 2011

PRACTICE AREAS