Dentons represents clients in federal, state, and local tax controversies, handling matters from audits and administrative proceedings through trial litigation. The team advises on pre-trial preparation, pleadings, discovery, and courtroom proceedings. Louisville-based Mark Loyd handles sales, property, income, and excise tax disputes, including audit defense and administrative protest matters. In Birmingham, Gregory Rhodes serves as trial counsel in federal and state tax litigation. Michelle Levin, based in Huntsville, focuses on IRS audits and administrative appeals. Ronald Levitt in Birmingham advises on business and tax planning matters. Bailey Roese, in Louisville, handles tax litigation and captive insurance taxation issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Strong experience and leadership across the practice.’
- ‘Michelle Levin, Sarah Green and Greg Rhodes are standout practitioners.’
- ‘Greg Rhodes is highly experienced, with numerous trials and several appellate arguments under his belt despite still being in the early years of his prime. He has built a sharp and diligent team around him, including Sarah Green, Sidney Jackson and Emily Ellis. It is a vibrant group that combines youth and experience effectively.’
- ‘Greg Rhodes is calm, steady and formidable in litigation. Michelle Levin is intellectually dynamic, advancing novel and innovative arguments. Sarah Green is a clear up-and-comer, well ahead of her peers.’
- ‘The team has a deep background in tax controversy, including audits and Tax Court litigation. Ronald Levitt brings decades of experience in disputes with the IRS, while the younger attorneys are bright and energized in pursuing complex matters.’
- ‘Ronald Levitt strikes the right balance — approachable yet firm in pushing back against IRS positions. He is a strong advocate who provides practical advice that guides client decision-making.’
Work highlights
Representing North Donald LA Property LLC in a $115m charitable deduction dispute involving a proposed 75% fraud penalty in a TEFRA partnership audit. The case addresses conservation easement deductions and fraud penalties at partnership level and may establish precedent for partnership tax structures.
Represented Blomquist Holdings in a conservation easement dispute concerning an IRS-challenged charitable deduction. Secured a settlement reducing penalties and preserving $11.6m in additional deductions.
Representing Walgreen Co. in litigation concerning valuation of leased properties for tax purposes, addressing whether fair cash value should be determined using local market rent (fee simple) or above-market contract rent and national sales (leased fee), raising constitutional and valuation issues.
Practice head
Mark Loyd; Gregory Rhodes
Other key lawyers
Michelle Levin; Ronald Levitt; Bailey Roese; Sarah Green; Emily Ellis; Sidney Jackson;