Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Tax Law
Cities
Jay R. Nanavati is an accomplished litigator, a former federal tax prosecutor, and a founding partner of Kostelanetz LLP's Washington, D.C., office. He has developed an enviable record of success in persuading the government to terminate investigations of his clients and in defeating the government in court. Mr. Nanavati maintains a nationwide practice, focusing on white-collar criminal defense with an emphasis on tax-related matters. He represents individuals and entities facing investigatio...
Christopher S. Rizek is a Member in Caplin & Drysdale's Washington, D.C., office. He also serves as General Counsel to the firm. In 2014, he was listed in the elite "Leading Lawyer" list for Tax Controversy by The Legal 500 . Services Mr. Rizek represents taxpayers in all types of federal civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He also guides clients through IRS audits, prepares administrative claims and protests of IRS actions, and litigates tax and tax-related cases in U.S. district...
Kevin P. O’Brien is a partner in the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. His practice has concentrated in employee compensation and benefits for over 30 years. Kevin is widely known as a leader in a wide variety of subjects, including innovative defined benefit plan design, flexible benefits, ERISA fiduciary matters and executive compensation. Before joining the firm, Kevin worked in the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration at the Labor Department ...
Natan J. Leyva is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Natan J. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Natan J. Leyva since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Natan J. Leyva is held by other lawyers.
Luisella P. (“Sella”) Perri Wilke concentrates her practice on federal tax laws and regulations related to tax-exempt financings. She has served as bond counsel for a wide variety of public finance transactions, including the issuance of tax-exempt, fixed and variable rate bonds, advance and current refundings, leases and installment purchase agreements. She advises clients on issues related to private use, reissuances, exempt facility qualification and financing, arbitrage, and c...
James N. Mastracchio is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. James N. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized James N. Mastracchio since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James N. Mastracchio is held by other lawyers.
Louis Mazawey brings decades of experience as an authority on the tax aspects of employee benefits in all forms to his work at Groom. As counsel to major insurance companies and a variety of plan sponsors—including corporate employers, trade associations, and public retirement systems—Lou has worked closely with qualified plans, 403(b) and 457 plans, IRAs, employee stock ownership plans, executive compensation, retiree medical benefits, plan terminations, mergers and spinoffs, the...
Caroline D. Ciraolo, former Acting Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division, is a partner with Kostelanetz LLP and a founder of its Washington, D.C. office. Her practice focuses on federal and state civil tax controversies, including representation in sensitive audits, administrative appeals, and litigation, providing related tax advice, conducting internal investigations, and representing individuals and entities in criminal tax investigations and pro...
Fred Goldberg is co-head of the firm’s Tax Group and global co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. Mr. Goldberg first joined Skadden in 1986, following two years as chief counsel of the Internal Revenue Service. From 1989 until 1992, Mr. Goldberg served as commissioner of the IRS, and during 1992 he served as assistant secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy. He returned to Skadden in December 1992. Working with his Tax Department colleagues in Skadden’s Washington, Ne...
Caroline Ngo is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Caroline practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Caroline Ngo since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Caroline Ngo is held by other lawyers.
Marcus Owens represents a broad range of nonprofit organizations, including private foundations, charities, lobbying/political organizations and trade associations. The context has ranged from tax planning, the process of formation and application for exemption, through IRS and state attorney general investigations, including complex audits by IRS Exempt Organizations Financial Investigative Units. Marcus’ focus includes executive compensation, excess benefit and self-dealing excise tax...
Diara M. Holmes serves as co-chair of the firm's Tax-Exempt Organizations Practice. She counsels tax-exempt organizations, including large public charities; colleges, universities and other higher education organizations; foreign charities and their U.S. affiliates; associations; government instrumentalities; social welfare organizations; and religious organizations on a broad range of tax compliance and governance issues. She advises nonprofit and for-profit organizations on structuring a va...
Susan E. Seabrook is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Susan E. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Susan E. Seabrook since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Susan E. Seabrook is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
