Mayer Brown has a dedicated tax controversy and litigation team that consists entirely of tax specialists. This level of in-depth expertise sees the firm involved in cutting-edge cases, ongoing examples of which include achieving the first taxpayer win under New York’s new manufacturer tax incentive for E. & J. Gallo Winery. Leah Robinson in New York, who leads the increasingly active SALT practice, led on that matter. The practice has four outstanding leaders, namely Brian Kittle in New York, Thomas Kittle-Kamp and Joel Williamson in Chicago, and Gary Wilcox in  Washington DC. Kittle-Kamp, whose recent work spans major cases involving transfer pricing, partnership and corporate transactions, is currently acting for Abbott Labs before the US Tax Court in a challenge to regulations implementing the global intangible low-tax income (GILTI) rules. Williamson’s track record includes the trial of seven major transfer pricing cases. Kittle recently won an issue of first impression concerning an IRS substance-over-form and step-transaction challenge. In Chicago, John Hildy is lauded for his work on federal tax disputes for multi-national corporations, and Jenny Austin has a broad practice that encompasses transfer pricing and other international issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Partner-heavy on staffing matters, which is generally good. Advice is objective, doesn't oversell likelihood of success the way some other leading controversy practices do.'

Key clients

  • Abbott Labs
  • American Express
  • American Axle & Manufacturing
  • Aon plc
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
  • Eaton Corporation
  • FMR LLC (Fidelity)
  • General Mills
  • GSS Holdings (Liberty Street)
  • John Laing

Work highlights

  • Representing Abbott Labs in a U.S. Tax Court litigation challenging regulations issued under the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provision of the TCJA.
  • Advocating for favorable tax treatment for American Axle & Manufacturing in a subpart F litigation.
  • Represented E&J Gallo in litigation in New York regarding the newly expanded incentive for manufacturers in New York, which allowed qualifying companies to use a 0% tax rate on their business income.

Lawyers

Hall of fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Thomas Kittle-Kamp
Joel Williamson

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

John Hildy
Brian Kittle
Leah Robinson

Practice head

Brian Kittle; Tom Kittle-Kemp; Joel Williamson; Gary Wilcox

Other key lawyers

John Hildy; Leah Robinson; Jenny Austin