Jeffery R. Schaffart

Jeff Schaffart is a leading tax attorney and chairs the Tax Practice Group at Koley Jessen. He has been honored by Chambers and Partners for his leadership and technical expertise in tax law. Jeff advises private equity sponsors, general counsel, management teams, and business owners on complex tax and legal matters, delivering timely and pragmatic solutions.

His practice focuses on corporate and partnership tax planning, helping clients defer, reduce, and eliminate taxes through strategic structuring and execution of transactions. His experience includes tax-free equity rollovers, taxable and tax-free mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, restructurings, recapitalizations, reorganizations, spin-offs, and split-offs. He also counsels private equity clients on fund structures and operational tax matters, particularly in connection with the acquisition and sale of portfolio companies.

A key contributor to Nebraska’s pass-through entity tax law, Jeff played a central role in its design and implementation—helping many Nebraska business owners reduce their federal income tax liability. He also advises clients on the formation and operation of qualified opportunity funds, including strategies for deferring and excluding capital gains through reinvestment.

Jeff is a frequent speaker and author on tax law, having written or co-authored more than 30 articles. Chambers and Partners has quoted clients praising his “very broad base of technical knowledge” and his ability to “balance a clear and deep understanding of the law with practical advice as to actionable decisions.”

Representative Matters

• Sale of Frontline Public Safety Solutions, LLC to TargetSolutions Learning, LLC
• Multiple clients in forming, structuring, and investing in qualified opportunity funds
• Recapitalization of Omaha Steaks by M-One Capital
• Omaha World-Herald Company in its sale to Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) for $150 million
• Tenex Capital Management in the following transactions:
  • acquisition of G2 Secure Staff
  • acquisition of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group
  • acquisition of Terryberry
  • acquisition of Big Bolt
  • acquisition of Auveco
  • acquisition of Empire Auto Parts
  • acquisition of Pugh Lubricants
  • acquisition of Roscoe Medical
  • acquisition of US Greenfiber
• Franchise FastLane in connection with its partnership with Southfield Capital
• C&A Industries in its sale to Medical Solutions
• SilverStone Group, Inc. in its sale to HUB International
• Tecumseh Farms LLC in its sale of Tecumseh Poultry LLC (Smart Chicken) to Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN)
• Global Industries, Inc. in sale to Ag Growth International, Inc. (TSX: AFN)
• ACI Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACIW) in the acquisition of Retail Decisions from Palamon Capital Partners for $205 million
• Clearview Capital, LLC in the sale of QC Supply, LLC to Charlesbank Capital Partners
• JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT) in the acquisition of assets of Cooling & Applied Technology, Inc. for $90 million
• M-One Capital in the sale of Homecare Software Solutions, LLC d.b.a. HHA eXchange to Cressey & Company
• M-One Capital in its investment in Lateef Investment Management
• M-One Capital in the sale of Benaissance, LLC to WEX Inc. (NYSE: WEX)
• Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) in the sale of Heil Trailer International to American Industrial Partners for $220 million
• Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) in its sale of Crenlo, LLC and Paladin Brands to KPS Capital Partners, LP for $290 million
• Sergeant’s Pet Care Products, Inc. in its sale to Perrigo, Inc. for $285 million
• Multiple clients in securing favorable private letter rulings under the IRS' pilot program for tax-free spin-offs and split-offs
• Multiple clients in private securities offerings
• Multiple clients in tax-free restructurings, spin-offs, and recapitalizations

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America^®, Tax Law, 2026
Chambers USA, Tax, 2020-2025
Omaha Magazine Top Lawyers of Omaha, Tax Law, 2021

Community & Professional

Nebraska State Bar Association
Great Plains Federal Tax Institute, Director
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Douglas County, Board Member
Nebraska State Bar Association Taxation Section, Former Chair
Nebraska State Bar Association Securities Law Section, Former Chair
Child Saving Institute, Former Board
United Way of the Midlands, Former Community Investment Review Team Member
Represented numerous clients in Nebraska adoptions of foreign-born children on a pro bono basis