Mr. Pearson represents clients in a wide variety of matters, including tax, corporate and business planning, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning. He represents closely-held, private, and publicly-held companies, real estate investment groups, several substantial network marketing and direct marketing companies, and professional service entities. Mr. Pearson consults clients regarding corporate organization, governance, and structuring, stock transfers, licensing, and all types of contracts necessary to a company’s business operations.

Corporate Transactions
Mr. Pearson analyzes, structures and documents taxable, and tax-free transactions, including stock and asset purchases, and all types of mergers and reorganizations.

International
Mr. Pearson, who speaks Spanish, represents multi-national companies in cross-border corporate transactions in the United States, Latin America, Canada, Europe, and South Africa.

Hospitality
Mr. Pearson is very involved in the hospitality industry, including the acquisition and sale of hotels and restaurants, and all aspects of licensure for this industry.

Estate Planning
Mr. Pearson’s estate planning practice involves all types of estate planning documents – wills, trusts, family limited liability companies, life insurance trusts, legacy trusts; it also involves succession planning and other income and estate tax-reduction mechanisms.

Mr. Pearson loves sports, running in the early morning, and competing in 10k races.

McKay M. Pearson was last modified: August 25th, 2025 by RQN

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America© 2026 in Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • AV Preeminent (5.0) rating with Martindale-Hubbell
  • Utah’s “Legal Elite,” as published in Utah Business Magazine (2004-06, 2010-12, 2014, 2018-2020)

Education

Boston University, LL.M., Taxation, 1995

Brigham Young University, J.D., 1990

Brigham Young University, B.S., Accounting, 1987

Affiliations / Memberships

  • Utah State Bar
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Global Alliance of Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Attorneys (GATTHA)
  • Member, National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing (NAABLA)

Professional Experience

  • Richards, Brandt, Miller & Nelson, 1995-1998
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nevada, Law Clerk, 1990-1994
Admitted to Practice
Supreme Court of Utah and all Utah State Courts
Supreme Court of Texas and all Texas State Courts

Awards

Presentations and
Publications

  • Presenter, “Legal Issues Raised by International Expansion,” 2013 Salt Lake SHRM Employment Law Seminar
  • Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws: The Quest to Control Nonmarket Economy Countries, BYU LAW REVIEW 717 (1989)

Contact

McKay M. Pearson

801-323-3385