Based predominantly in Washington DC, the tax controversies practice at Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered ‘has some of the premier practitioners in criminal tax defense’. Scott Michel, who has great experience in representing high-net-worth and internationally prominent individual and corporate clients in criminal and civil tax controversies, and Charles Ruchelman , who has notable expertise in the taxation of captive insurance arrangements, are the lead partners. In the same DC office, Niles Elber is a standout partner for both civil and criminal tax matters, where his work includes administrative and grand jury tax investigations. Michel and Mark Matthews, who focuses on cases involving undisclosed foreign bank accounts and unreported foreign assets, are ’top-tier in civil and criminal tax matters’. They recently assisted one of the country’s wealthiest individuals in concluding a criminal tax investigation by the  Mark Allison is the key contact in New York, where he acts for multi-national corporations, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, global high-net-worth individuals, family offices and professional athletes and entertainers. Christopher Rizek has left the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The firm has some of the premier practitioners in criminal tax defense and general tax work.’

  • ‘Scott Michel and Mark Mathews are top-tier in civil and criminal tax matters. They have achieved some of the most notable results in recent years. Niles Elber and Victor Jaramillo are also very well respected.’

  • ‘ I have worked primally in non-compliance files where civil and criminal penalties are involved. Knowledge of administrative practice is critical and Caplin & Drysdale have extensive experience in dealing with functionary decision-makers.’

  • ‘I have worked with Niles Elber and Scott Michel. In addition to being knowledgeable they are empathetic and accessible..’

  • 'Caplin & Drysdale have extensive experience in dealing with functionary decision-makers.'

Work highlights

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.

Leading partners

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

Practice head

Scott Michel

Charles Ruchelman

Other key lawyers

Mark Allison

Niles Elber

Victor Jaramillo

Mark Matthews