Elliot G. Freier

Elliot Freier is a Partner and concentrates his practice on the taxation of mergers and acquisitions, establishing and growing companies, bankruptcy and workout taxation and tax controversy representation.

Recognized as a leading tax lawyer by Chambers USA, Elliot counsels clients on the taxation of transactions in multiple sectors, including high tech, medical devices, retail, media and entertainment, among others. He has substantial experience advising private equity and other business clients on the tax implications of large and highly complex transactions. In collaboration with the Corporate group, Elliot helps develop innovative, sophisticated structures for acquisitions and dispositions that have provided his clients with substantial savings in taxes. He also advises startups early in their development with regard to ways in which they can minimize their tax burden for the life of the company through exit.

In addition to his transactional work, Elliot works extensively with debtors as well as creditors on tax issues involved in bankruptcies and workouts. He guides clients through the restructuring process to preserve their tax attributes and obtain a beneficial settlement with taxing authorities. He also represents corporations, partnerships and individuals in complex federal and California tax controversy matters.

As an authority on taxation and business, Elliot is frequently invited to speak on tax topics (including before the Internal Revenue Service), and he has published widely on tax planning and tax issues related to bankruptcy and transactions. He is also active in the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Taxation, where he has chaired a committee, several subcommittees and task forces on various business tax matters.

Prior to joining VLP, Elliot spent his career at Irell & Manella LLP, one of the preeminent national tax practices.