Best Lawyers in America for Litigation and Controversy - Tax

George Abney offers his clients confident guidance through civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He honed his skills as a federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, where he was recognized by former Attorney General John Ashcroft as a Tax Division Outstanding Attorney. George is a partner on the firm’s Tax Controversy Team, whose practice focuses on civil and criminal tax controversy matters. George has significant trial and appellate experience gained from years as a feder...

With his deep knowledge and breadth of experience in law and taxation, Mr. William R. Culp, Jr. helps clients structure their business affairs to maximize their wealth. Mr. Culp represents a wide variety of clients, from entrepreneurs and private investors to large corporate clients. Clients look to him for guidance in structuring complex business arrangements and transactions, and for solutions to the most challenging business problems. Mr. Culp's practice includes real estate and partnershi...

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...

Lisa Helton’s practice areas include estate and trust litigation, appellate practice, general and commercial litigation, environmental litigation, landlord/tenant law, representation of homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs) in HOA disputes, and IRS tax litigation and controversy. Lisa has been ranked Band 2 by the Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide for her work in Private Wealth Law, by Best Lawyers® as a 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for Trust and Estate ...

Jamie G. Houston, III, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1976. He has been admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, and the United States Tax Court. His experience includes practice in corporate and business law, tax and estate planning and administration. Jamie is a Certified Public Accountant (Retired).

Carolyn Wenzel represents companies, tax-exempt organizations, families and individuals in the areas of governance, tax, advocacy, estate and trust administration and estate planning. She regularly counsels nonprofit entities and tax-exempt organizations, including public charities, private foundations, trade and professional associations, and religious and educational organizations in the areas of formation, investment decision-making, endowment fund establishment and modification, governanc...

Michelle Abroms Levin is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Huntsville, Alabama office, where she is a member of the Tax practice group and manages the Huntsville office. She represents clients during all phases of federal income tax controversies, including IRS audit, administrative appeals, and court proceedings in the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, federal district court and the Courts of Appeals. Michelle has secured major victories for her clients in the Eleventh Circ...

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...

Floyd McKinley "Kin" Sayre is a partner in the Bowles Rice Martinsburg office. He is the leader of the firm’s Tax Practice Group and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and finance law, tax, government relations, gaming and hospitality and small business development. He is also a certified public accountant. Mr. Sayre currently serves as the city attorney for Martinsburg, West Virginia. He also served as the city attorney for the city of Beckley, West Virginia, from 198...

Nathan R. Olansen is the Managing Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. His practice is focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, IRS and state and local tax audit and tax collection cases, as well as individual and entity tax planning, asset protection and a variety of related transactional matters such as business succession planning, business entity start-ups and tax planning for divorce. Nathan has extensive experience in drafting and implementing all t...

Luke T. Tashjian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Luke Tashjian is an estate planning , tax , and corporate attorney. He advises his clients on estate planning, tax structuring, and transactional matters. He also represents individuals and businesses ranging from local brick and mortar businesses to multinational corporations in tax controversy matters at the state and feder...

Mr. Meacham is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. Meacham has been with the firm since 1987. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Planning and Probate Law by The Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the following fields: Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts an...

Vincent J. Beres is a shareholder in the firm's Business Law, Tax and Tax-Exempt Organizations Practices. While Vince's clientele consists of businesses, ranging from partnerships and LLCs, S corporations, closely held businesses and large national manufacturing and service corporations, he also has deep experience as a trusted business and family advisor to individual business owners. Representative Matters and Experience Helping a food manufacturing client in the acquisition, development an...

Bob Wellen, a partner of the firm, has practiced tax law for nearly 35 years. His practice involves planning, structuring and negotiating business transactions and representing taxpayers seeking private letter rulings from IRS and tax policy determinations from IRS and the Treasury Department and in controversies with IRS. He also serves as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in commercial disputes involving tax issues. Bob grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Yale College...

Charles L. Steel IV is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Charles L. practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Charles L. Steel IV since 2010. 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 Charles L. Steel IV is held by othe...

Henry H. Hutchinson is a shareholder in and the managing director of Capell & Howard, P.C. His legal practice encompasses a broad range of activities in the business law area, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions. Hank advises clients regarding matters concerning organizational and operational legal issues, tax and securities laws, and certain regulatory-compliance-related matters. He has represented taxpayers in controversies with the Internal Revenue Service and the Alabama Depa...