Sullivan
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Biography

Joel is particularly experienced in the tax structuring of complex business and investment arrangements using partnerships, limited liability companies and Subchapter S corporations. He advises a broad range of private and institutional investors, including real estate investment firms, on a wide variety of U.S. federal income tax matters, including in connection with fund formation matters, the acquisition and disposition of property, structuring debt and equity investments, equity compensation plans and tax planning for investors. 

Joel also advises on the tax structuring of corporate merger and acquisition transactions, as well as the financing of emerging companies, and has served on the boards of a number of enterprises. He also provides individual income and estate tax planning services for persons of substantial means.

Education
  • Boston University School of Law (LL.M.)
    • Taxation
  • Boston College Law School (J.D., magna cum laude)
  • Harvard College (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Massachusetts
  • London and Wales (Registered foreign lawyer)
  • U.S. Tax Court
Professional Qualifications
  • American and Boston Bar Associations
  • Board of Advisors, Boardman Capital Partners
Awards & Honors
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame (2025)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2007-2026)
  • International Tax Review's World Tax Guide (2026)
  • Boston Magazine Top Lawyers, Tax Law (2025)
  • PLC Which Lawyer? Leading Lawyer in Tax (2008-2010)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2005-2014, 2017-2018)
Client Highlights
All Client Highlights
Sullivan Advises Sounds Profitable on Merger with Podcast Movement
Sullivan advised Sounds Profitable, a leading media company serving the podcast industry, on its merger with Podcast Movement, the world’s premier platform for podcast creators, industry leaders and media innovators. The combination brings together Sounds Profitable’s data-driven research and industry advocacy with Podcast Movement’s global events and community, reflecting the continued evolution of podcasting from a niche audio format into a core component of today’s multi-platform media ecosystem. The Sullivan team advising Sounds Profitable included Lew Segall, Joel Carpenter, Amy Sheridan, Erika Todd and Alexander Gansebom. Read the full press release here.
Sullivan & Worcester Attorneys Named to 2025 Top Lawyers List by Boston Magazine
Boston, MA – Sullivan is proud to announce that 20 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in Boston magazine's 2025 Top Lawyers list. To compile the list, area lawyers were invited to nominate up to three of their peers in a select number of specialties. Those who received the most votes in each specialty were then reviewed by an advisory board of select lawyers, chosen for their credentials and the high number of votes they received. The Sullivan attorneys, recognized by specialty, are: Attorneys for Non-Profits Judith Edington Bankruptcy and Workout Patrick Dinardo Amy Zuccarello Civil Law Litigation Ryan Rosenblatt Commercial Real Estate Ashley Brooks Louis Monti John Steiner Spencer Stone Corporate Law Benjamin Armour Lewis Segall Intellectual Property Rights Kimberly Herman Labor and Employment Erika Todd Land Use/Environmental Gregory Sampson Securities Law Howard Berkenblit Tax Law Joel Carpenter Richard Jones David Nagle Ameek Ashok Ponda Trusts and Estates Maura Carney Steven Cunningham About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global, mid-sized law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best‑in‑class client service.

Joel R. Carpenter

Wonder Media Network (WMN) Acquired by the World's Largest Independent Podcast Company

Sullivan represented Wonder Media Network (WMN), a female-founded, audio-first creative studio based in New York City, in its sale to Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company. "WMN’s mission is so tightly aligned with that of Acast - bringing important and changemaking stories to the world," said WMN CEO Jenny Kaplan. "Together, we will allow both creators and advertisers to reach new audiences, build successful businesses, and shape the future of audio."

Lewis N. Segall, Joel R. Carpenter, Amy E. Sheridan, Erika L. Todd, Johanna Colpritt and Nathan Kosik-Desmond

One of the Largest Global REITs and Its Subsidiary Form a New Joint Venture

Our marquee REIT and Tax teams advised American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT), one of the largest global REITs, and its subsidiary CoreSite in the formation of a new joint venture with Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real property assets, to develop, build and operate an 18-megawatt data center in Denver, Colorado. CoreSite provides IT infrastructure that empowers enterprises and cloud, network and IT service providers to monetize and future-proof their digital businesses. The total estimated development costs for the 18-megawatt data center are expected to be more than $250 million.

Sullivan’s team was led by Ameek Ashok Ponda, director of the Tax Department, with Sullivan Tax partners Joel Carpenter and Sarah Wellings, and associate Connie Lee, contributing to the successful deal.

Ameek Ashok Ponda, Joel R. Carpenter, Sarah D. Wellings and Connie Lee

Joel R. Carpenter