McDermott Deepens Tax Controversy Practice With New York Partner

International law firm McDermott Will & Emery expands its Tax Practice Group with the addition of Frank Jackson as a partner based in New York. As a former trial lawyer and national tax shelter project lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Frank has a unique understanding of various tax authorities’ priorities and processes. He represents multi-national businesses, non-profits, estates and high global wealth individuals in disputes involving a wide variety of sophisticated tax matters.

“Frank brings tremendous tax controversy experience to our practice,” said Timothy Shuman, global head of McDermott’s Tax Practice. “His background representing clients in IRS investigations, as well as his position as an in-house lawyer for the IRS early in his career, brings critical insights to clients of our Tax, Private Client and Litigation Practice Groups, among others.”

Frank represents clients during tax examinations, administrative appeals and litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts. In cases where tax liabilities have been assessed but not paid, he represents clients before the IRS Collection Division, including in the negotiation of installment agreements, offers in compromise and in resolving lien priority and levy disputes. Frank also handles sensitive tax matters involving allegations of fraud and helps clients avoid penalties and criminal charges.

Frank’s career highlights include:

• Obtaining full concession from the IRS in a Tax Court matter affirming the taxpayer’s position that $50 million from litigation funding was properly characterized as long-term capital gain
• Obtaining retroactive reinstatement of a global not-for-profit organization’s federal tax-exempt status as well as abatement of all related penalties, avoiding more than $20 million in tax, penalties and interest
• Representing trial counsel in a Tax Court case involving a large multinational hedge fund advisory firm

“McDermott’s unique integrated approach and global footprint aligns with my commitment to providing high-quality service to my clients,” said Frank. “I’m thrilled to join the Firm.”

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