George W. Craven

George Craven is highly regarded as a leading practitioner of corporate tax law and international tax planning. In the course of his practice, George advises clients across a broad spectrum of domestic and international tax issues and tax-related controversies. His particular focus involves tax issues pertinent to insurance companies (especially offshore companies), tax aspects of financing, and investments in India. Chambers USA 2022 says "He is very knowledgeable on financial transactions and insurance matters." "He is a go-to person for insurance structuring, he is a top authority in that area." Chambers USA 2007 notes that he is "thought by commentators to be 'a good incisive tax lawyer, and someone who quietly performs wonders for his clients in structured finance and securitizations transactions." Earlier (2004–2005), Chambers characterized George as "savvy and hands-on."

George brings comprehensive, well-informed experience to clients' service. In the area of corporate tax law, he counsels on business acquisitions and dispositions, including structured financing, and securitization transactions. He also addresses tax aspects of new financial products, such as Section 483 Notes, Liquid Yield Option Notes, and others. George’s international focus includes Subpart F issues, cross-border tax arbitrage, advising on behalf of captive and offshore insurance companies, and comprehensive tax planning for offshore insurance entities.

George was designated as a leading lawyer for the 2001–present editions of Chambers USA and he is listed in “The Best Lawyers Annual Guide to Insurance Law” (2011). George was listed in “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” (2003–2004) and named among “North America’s Top Tax Advisers” by the International Tax Review (2000). He was the principal US tax lawyer representing Desjardins Group in its purchase of the Canadian insurance and other financial services operations from State Farm, a transaction recognized by the International Tax Review as Tax Deal of the Year in Financial Services in the Americas for 2014. He is widely sought as a presenter at seminars and symposia on domestic and international tax topics, and he is an active member of several influential professional associations. George is conversant in Japanese.

• Harvard Law School, JD, cum laude
• University of Notre Dame, BA, summa cum laude
• Sophia University (Tokyo, Japan)

• Illinois

• English
• Japanese

• American Bar Association, Section of Taxation; Financial Transactions Committee; Insurance Committee 
• Japan-America Society of Chicago
• Chicago Council on Global Affairs