Miller & Chevalier Chartered > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Miller & Chevalier Chartered > The Legal 500 Rankings

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 2

Miller & Chevalier Chartered is a prominent name for federal tax matters, with a long history of advising prestige clients in the full array of disputes. Active across numerous industries, the group has expertise in transfer pricing, insurance tax, and matters relating to tax incentives, among other issues, and also maintains a strong record of handling complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions. George Hani and Kevin Kenworthy co-head the team; Hani is a specialist in tax accounting issues, with experience in IRS examinations and appeals, while Kenworthy is a seasoned litigator with a practice that covers a range of domestic and international tax issues. Further key names within the team include Maria O’Toole Jones, who is a key contact for insurance tax, Robert Kovacev, who covers international tax matters and is developing a practice focused on the taxation of robotics and artificial intelligence, and James Gadwood, whose client base includes prominent businesses, funds, and high net worth individuals. Transfer pricing specialist Lisandra Ortiz is also a name to note. All lawyers mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 4

Government > Government contracts Tier 4

Demonstrating strength in bid protests, claims, FCA suits, and investigations, Miller & Chevalier Chartered is frequently relied upon by defense, aerospace, life sciences, and energy contractors in navigating complex, high-stakes litigation. Seated in Washington DC, the practice is led by Jason Workmaster, whose prowess in contentious matters has been instrumental in, for example, CSI’s $70m contract claim before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and C3.ai’s protest of a $443m CDC award. Alejandro Sarria is well-versed in high stakes litigation involving the DOD and the DOE, as well as regulatory advice, while Scott Flesch, who joined the firm in November 2023 from the US Department of the Army, is recognized for his talents in claims and disputes, bid protests, and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

A standout in the field of tax policy and legislation, boutique firm Miller & Chevalier Chartered marries long-reaching government experience with technical tax proficiency in representing the interests of household names in an array of industries before Congress, the Treasury Department, and the IRS. Jorge Castro, who fields bicameral and IRS experience, as well as familiarity working closely with foreign governments on global tax and economic issues, particularly at the OECD, leads the practice alongside Loren Ponds, who excels in advising clients on the impacts of tax policy, including implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Marc Gerson is highly regarded for his expertise in tax technical corrections legislation, and has recently secured the expansion of a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Leonard Bickwit left the firm in March 2023.

Tax > International tax Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered‘s Washington DC-based team supports clients with the tax matters throughout the full lifecycle of their cross-border operations from acquisition or start up, to restructuring, tax optimization, termination, and disposition. The team also advises advise companies, trade organizations, and governments on international tax policy matters, including related to the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project. Department head Layla Asali advises on the federal income tax aspects of cross-border transactions and business activities as well as advising on the international tax issues of M&A, IP transactions, supply chain planning, and financings. Rocco Femia represents large, multinational corporate clients in high-stakes international tax and transfer pricing planning, controversy, and policy matters. Loren Ponds concentrates her practice on providing strategic advice on legislative, regulatory, and other tax policy issues as well as advising on technical tax matters relating to transfer pricing. Jeffrey Tebbs supports multinational companies on complex tax planning matters for various transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, and joint ventures, and represents businesses in related tax controversies. Caroline Reaves advises on the tax aspects of cross-border acquisitions, dispositions, debt financings and restructurings, and various tax controversy matters. Samuel Lapin focuses his practice on working with clients during IRS audits and before the IRS Independent Office of Appeals on a variety of issues, including the R&E credit, partnership basis adjustments, management fee waivers, charitable contributions, and collection and penalty issues.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered has a strong track record of handling a broad range of federal tax matters for multinationals, partnerships, S-corporations, and privately held companies. The practice, based in Washington DC, is well known for advising on tax policy issues, including the implications of legislative changes and novel regulations. Layla Asali has considerable experience in cross-border matters, including mergers, intellectual property transactions, supply chain planning, and financings. Marc Gerson leverages his notable experience representing clients before Congress, Treasury, and the IRS to advise on high-stakes tax policy issues. Former Treasury official Rocco Femia advises major corporate clients on transfer pricing and policy matters. Loren Ponds specializes in legislative, regulatory, and other tax policy issues, while David Zimmerman is an expert in corporate tax planning and consolidated returns matters.

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations Tier 1

Washington DC firm Miller & Chevalier Chartered is an established leader in corporate crime and investigations. The firm has an outstanding record in anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions, compliance and governance.  It has a considerable emphasis on Latin America, with more than 20 lawyers that have a major focus on the region, many of which are Latin America natives (or have lived and worked in the region), and speak fluent Portuguese or Spanish. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru are among the firm’s primary markets. Fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaker Matteson Ellis is at the pinnacle of the market, leads the Latin America practice and is a recognised authority on FCPA cases. James Tillen is also at the forefront of investigations and compliance programmes, bringing extensive Latin America experience from the Lavo Jato scandal and many other high profile matters. Alejandra Montenegro Almonte is a pivotal member of the team and has been instrumental in building the firm’s compliance and investigations practice in Central America. Jeffrey Lehtman, William Barry and Margarita Sánchez are also key members of the Latin America-facing practice; along with fluent Spanish-and-Portuguese speaker and emerging talent, Gregory Bates. Counsel Leah Moushey is another impressive practitioner.