Tax Law
Navigating tax complexity with precision.
Clients require experienced tax advisors to help them navigate complex federal, state, and local tax systems.
Our team of experienced tax lawyers help clients with a wide range of federal, state, and local tax matters ranging from planning and counseling to, where necessary, controversy and litigation.
How we help clients
- Federal Tax
- State & Local Tax
- Tax Controversy
- Tax-Exempt Organizations
Our Team
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Our Tax practice handles mergers, international and local taxes, civil and criminal disputes, and services for tax-exempt organizations.
Federal Tax
Our Federal Tax practice caters to a broad spectrum of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, burgeoning technology firms, and family-owned enterprises. We have extensive experience addressing tax considerations associated with various business and corporate activities such as reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, spinoffs, other dispositions, leveraged buyouts, and financing arrangements.
Our work extends to advising on the federal income tax implications of executive compensation, equity incentive plans, intellectual property transactions, commercial finance and leasing, debtor/creditor workouts, bankruptcy, and international transactions.
State and Local Tax
Our State and Local Tax lawyers help businesses navigate complex state and local tax laws across the United States with particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. We serve a diverse range of clients, from startups to multinational corporations, and offer extensive state and local tax services, including consulting, planning, and representation in tax disputes from audit through litigation. Our experience also extends to sales, use, gross receipts, income, excise, and a variety of other state and local taxes.
Federal Tax Litigation & Controversy
Our lawyers have efficiently and favorably resolved both civil and criminal tax controversies before the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. district courts, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and state trial courts. In addition, we regularly handle examinations and appeals with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state and local taxing authorities. Our ranks include veterans of the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and Offices of the U.S. Attorney. Our insights into the government’s mindset and practices in tax compliance create an advantage for clients as we resolve their disputes.
We offer a full suite of tax controversy services that spans both civil and criminal investigations, presenting a proactive approach that addresses such issues as offshore reporting, litigation, collections, and state and local tax matters. Our areas of counsel include:
- Federal tax litigation. We have extensive experience in all facets of IRS controversy work, encompassing audits, appeals, and litigation across various judicial bodies including the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. DOJ, and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- Estate and gift tax controversy. We offer nuanced understanding and strategic counsel in estate and gift tax disputes, enhancing client value by considering the wider tax implications. Our firm is also recognized for its adept handling of willful foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR) penalties in U.S. district courts and the IRS Office of Appeals, as well as managing quiet disclosures, advising on streamlined procedures, and participation in the offshore voluntary disclosure program.
- Federal tax collections. We have extensive experience handling collection matters and guiding clients through administrative processes that can pave the way for a new beginning.
- Criminal matters. Our lawyers are skilled in handling trials and investigations related to allegations of failure to file returns, involvement in abusive tax schemes, connections with abusive return preparers, and other fraudulent activities.
- Offshore reporting issues. We assist clients with undisclosed foreign bank accounts, companies, and other offshore entities. Leveraging our prior experience from the IRS side of the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, we offer exceptionally effective solutions for resolving clients’ offshore tax issues.
- Virtual currencies and voluntary disclosure. Led by former IRS and DOJ lawyers, our team is well-versed in both criminal and civil tax matters concerning virtual currencies. We provide practical, reliable advice for navigating this complex field and have a strong track record in managing voluntary disclosures to the IRS, which is especially relevant for virtual currency holders seeking to amend past filings.
Tax Exempt Organizations
Our team provides comprehensive legal services to a wide array of tax-exempt organizations, including public charities, private foundations, trade associations, political groups, social welfare organizations, social clubs, and taxable nonprofits. Leveraging our extensive experience as legal counselors and board members, we offer personalized and proactive guidance throughout an organization's entire lifecycle, from its formation to providing assistance in obtaining tax-exempt status and ongoing governance to ethics and operations advice. We actively monitor legal developments to ensure compliance with complex tax laws; provide guidance on business dealings and transactions and addressing the fiduciary duties of directors and offices; structure charitable-giving techniques that benefit both donors and recipients; regularly attend board meetings to preemptively identify and resolve potential legal challenges; and provide board trainings ensuring our clients are well-equipped to fulfill their missions effectively.