Partner
Legal Expertise
Taxation, with an emphasis on tax controversy with the IRS, California Franchise Tax Board, California Employment Development Department, and other state and local taxing authorities. Representation of non-profit entities and charitable gift planning.
Industry Focus
Individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax exempt entities.
Key Professional Accomplishments
* Successfully represented numerous clients in disuputes with the IRS and California Employment Development Department concerning the classification of workers as employees versus independent contractors.
* Successfully represented a well-known motion picture director in a dispute with the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board.
* Assisted in the IRS examination of a well-known international company in the entertainment and toy manufacturing business.
* As an attorney for the IRS, served as lead counsel on numerous examinations and Tax Court cases against well-known business people, entertainers, and athletes.
Professional, Business, and Civic Affiliations
* Editor, MS&K Charitable Sector Letter
* Chairman, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Taxation Section, Entertainment Tax Committee
* Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a Federal Advisory Committee to the International Revenue Service
* Former Chairman, Los Angeles County Bar Association Young Tax Lawyers (1993-1994)
Other Career Experience
* Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the IRS (1991-1995)
* Specialist in two IRS Market Segment Specialization Programs: entertainers/athletes and gasoline retailers
Court Admissions
* California, 1985
* U.S. District Court, 1985
* U.S. Tax Court, 1991
Education
University of California Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 1985; Moot Court Honors Program
University of California Berkeley, B.S., 1992; Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting Honor Society) Kraft Scholarship
