Best Lawyers in America for Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Bruce Reynolds is a Member of the firm based in its Lexington office although he advises lawyers located in other offices as to complex tax matters. His practice focuses primarily on taxation and tax related matters, including tax controversies and disputes, business transactions and estate planning for business owners. He also has been involved in numerous disputes involving fiduciary relationships. During his long career with Stites & Harbison, Bruce has assisted many of the firm's larg...

Craig A. Becker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Craig A., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Craig A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Saunders is a tax and business lawyer with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. He counsels primarily tax-exempt organizations, both charitable and non-charitable, on a multitude of federal and state tax controversy matters, estate planning, and tax-exempt financing. Bob helps all types of exempt organizations, including charities, religious organizations, educational organizations, trade associations, social welfare organizations and social clubs, in matters ranging from formati...

Ethan Vernon is a partner at Asbury Gardner, where he practices in the areas of federal and state and local taxation, with a focus on tax controversy and litigation. He represents businesses and individuals through all stages of tax disputes, including audits, administrative appeals, and litigation in both state and federal forums. Ethan advises clients on complex state and local tax matters across a range of industries including manufacturing, retail, telecommunications, and transportation. ...

Michael Waalkes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Michael, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron M. Esman, an accomplished tax controversy and litigation attorney based in New York, represents individual and entity taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, and state & local taxing authorities. He represents taxpayers in all stages of tax controversy, including audits, appeals, and litigation. Esman also advises clients on tax matters related to corporate transactions, mergers & acquisitions, compliance, and corporate governance. When not work...

Rebecca A. O'Neill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Rebecca A., who practices law in Rockville, Maryland, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alla Cates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Alla, who practices law in Annapolis, Maryland, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alla is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bobby Streisel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Bobby, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bobby is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tristan Montaque is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Tristan, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tristan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Abigail Burke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Abigail, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Abigail is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ashley Swan McClure is an associate at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Ashley focuses her practice on state and federal tax controversies and tax litigation. Prior to joining Asbury Law Firm, Ashley was a member of the tax litigation practice at an AmLaw 100 firm. In law school, Ashley was a graduate research assistant in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. Ashley is a magna cum laude graduate of Kennesaw State University.

Gabriella Cole is a tax controversy and litigation attorney. She has worked in tax law since 2018, and her practice has a specific focus on tax controversy law, representing corporations and individuals against the IRS and state departments throughout the audit, administrative appeals, and litigation processes. Her experience in tax controversy has focused on a variety of issues, including conservation easements, the research and development tax credit, the employee retention credit, the 179D...

Alyssa Maloof Whatley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Alyssa Maloof, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alyssa Maloof is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Yelena Niazyan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Yelena, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Yelena is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth C. Vélez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Elizabeth C., who practices law in Concord, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.