Stephen J. Steve MacGillivray

A Trusted Advisor for Complex Commercial and Tax Matters

Our company, which owns a portfolio of commercial properties in Providence, engaged Steve MacGillivray to handle a challenging property tax abatement case for one of our flagship office buildings. The municipality's initial assessment was significantly inflated, and we needed counsel with deep, specific expertise. Steve's 35 years of experience, particularly his two decades focused on tax abatement for large commercial properties, was immediately evident. He didn't just recite the law; he presented a compelling narrative about valuation, supported by meticulous analysis of comparable properties and market conditions. His recognition in areas like Commercial Litigation and Tax Law is well-deserved, as his strategy was both legally sound and pragmatically tailored to the local Rhode Island context. We achieved a substantial reduction in our tax liability, a direct result of his thorough preparation and persuasive advocacy. On a personal note, Steve is approachable and explains complex legal concepts in clear business terms, which we greatly appreciated. The one area where we occasionally felt a slight delay was in email response times during non-critical phases, likely due to his demanding caseload. Overall, Pierce Atwood is fortunate to have him, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for sophisticated commercial or tax-related property issues.