Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP represents clients in complex tax disputes before the IRS, the US Tax Court, state and local taxing authorities, and appellate tribunals nationwide. Led by Nora Burke, the team handles federal and cross-border controversies, including transfer pricing disputes and individual audit defense matters. Lawrence Sannicadro advises private clients, as well as estates, trusts, and closely held businesses, in tax controversy matters. Jeffrey Vesely, in San Francisco, focuses on state and local tax disputes, including income, franchise, sales and use, and gross receipts taxes. In Sacramento, Carley Roberts represents clients in the energy, technology, telecommunications, retail, and manufacturing sectors. Team members based in New York unless otherwise stated.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Lawrence Sannicandro is a smart, hardworking and practical attorney.’
- ‘Lawrence Sannicandro and Darianne DeLeone are excellent to work with.’
- ‘Pillsbury’s State and Local Tax (SALT) team is a premier US multistate tax practice, with bright minds and decades of experience representing companies on complex issues. Few practices combine that depth of expertise with such seamless collaboration.’
- ‘Carley Roberts is one of the top indirect and state income tax attorneys in the country, trusted by some of the largest companies in the world. Craig Becker is among the strongest property tax lawyers in the US, delivering significant results on high-profile matters. Zack Atkins is an up-and-coming indirect tax attorney with strong expertise in sales and property tax, and impressive attention to detail.’
- ‘Pillsbury’s state and local tax team is one of the leading multistate tax groups in the US. It has the breadth and depth to handle virtually any state tax matter, from advisory to high-stakes controversy.’
- ‘The team is comprised of true all-stars, with a strong mix of seasoned leaders and dynamic younger partners. Zack Atkins, Evan Hamme, Robert Merten and Aruna Chittiapa stand out as exceptional lawyers who combine technical strength with approachability.’
- ‘The team operates in a highly collaborative environment, and Lawrence Sannicandro is particularly knowledgeable, with excellent attention to detail.’
- ‘Lawrence Sannicandro is a brilliant attorney who combines experience and deep technical knowledge with the ability to distil complex issues into practical, straightforward solutions.’
Key clients
- Adam Neumann & Rebekah Neumann
- Adil Sailau & Aisulu Nurghoza
- Apple Inc.
- Chevron Corporation
- Clearway Energy
- Joan Finnegan and the Estate of John Finnegan
- John J. Celentano & Sandi Celentano
- Lawrence Marolda, as Executor of the Estate of Ralph Marolda
- Microchip Technology, Inc.
- Microsoft Corporation
- Stephanie Murrin
- Various tax residents of Puerto Rico and investors in allegedly abusive international tax transactions
- Vista Staffing Solutions, Inc. (a former subsidiary of both Envision Healthcare Corp. and ASGN, Inc.)
Work highlights
Represented Microchip Technology Inc. as lead counsel in a $1 billion IRS transfer-pricing dispute before the U.S. Tax Court involving § 482 cost-sharing arrangements spanning Ireland, Macau, the Philippines, and Bermuda.
Represents Apple Inc. in Maryland Tax Court litigation challenging the state’s Digital Advertising Tax under the Internet Tax Freedom Act, the Commerce Clause, and the Due Process Clause in a first-of-its-kind constitutional test for digital-economy taxation.
Represented Vista Staffing Solutions Inc. before the New Mexico Court of Appeals, securing a landmark reversal of a gross-receipts-tax assessment that set precedent on service-sourcing methodology and multistate apportionment.
Practice head
Nora Burke
Other key lawyers
Lawrence Sannicadro; Jeffrey Vesely; Carley Roberts; Craig Becker; Zack Atkins; Evan Hamme; Robert Merten; Aruna Chittiapa; Darianne DeLeone