DLA Piper LLP (US)’s ‘extremely knowledgeable and approachable’ tax practice, headed by Seattle-based Alison Maxwell and New York-based Maruti Narayan , advises clients active in various sectors, such as technology, industrials, and life sciences, on the full spectrum of international tax related matters including tax planning, transactional, and controversy services. Maxwell has a special focus on advising on the structuring of large-scale, international integration and acquisition transactions whilst Narayan has considerable expertise in US tax policy matters, including supporting clients with proposed tax reform provisions and advising on the impacts of OECD provisions on global taxation. Sang Kim, based in Palo Alto, handles a wide range of international tax matters such as global transfer pricing strategy, cross-border M&A, post-acquisition integration, and international tax controversy. New York-based Kevin Glenn has notable experience advising large multinational clients on a broad range of cross-border tax planning issues. Christopher Feldman, who is based in Seattle, assists a wide range of clients from Silicon Valley start-ups to large multinationals on efficient tax structuring. In Boston, the team benefits from Ryan Starr’s global tax and operational business structuring, cross-border M&A, and post-acquisition integration expertise. New York-based Frank Mugabi is considered a multi-disciplinary tax practitioner who splits his practice between international tax planning and transactional tax, including advising on tax aspects of public cross-border M&A transactions. The team welcomed New York's David Pope from Baker McKenzie LLP in February 2023 and Brian Hamano in Los Angeles from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in July 2023. At the associate level, Marc Anthony Casale in New York and LA-based Tuan Quang Ngo are notable team members.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Responsive, driven, deeply technical yet practical. The diverse range of talent within the partner team brings together a unique blend of skills and specialties which translates into a tremendous advantage for the firm's clients. ’
‘Maruti Narayan is exceptionally knowledgeable on a wide range of tax advisory and planning matters. Her people skills make her a tremendous asset to both the firm and her clients as she helps teams navigate complex projects with ease.
- 'Frank Mugabi's technical expertise stands out in every meeting he's in. He is able to break down intricate webs of interconnected rules into coherent, practical answers to most complex questions.’
‘Alison Maxwell has great knowledge of our pending matters and our company. She combines technical knowledge with the ability to translate it into pragmatic advice. Tuan Ngo is the associate who keeps all of our pending matters on the table, ensures follow up and maximizes his own network within the firm to ensure appropriate expertise is pulled in and the involved colleagues are up to speed on what needs to be done.'
‘Extremely knowledgeable and approachable team with broad technical skills across numerous industries and topics. Top partners are very accessible and engaged rather than delegating work to more junior attorneys.’
'The combination of deep technical knowledge, extensive experience and brass-tacks practical advice is what sets DLA Piper apart. Some advisors can tend to skew towards either the technical or the practical - DLA consistently brings them both together. Kevin Glenn and Maruti Narayan stand out in this area and are trusted advisors for us.'
'Ryan Starr is always there for me. Not wedded to overly technical answers. He is very practical.'
‘The geographic reach of the DLA tax practice is rare and valuable. We often have large complex cross-border transactions and DLA Piper is uniquely situated to provide critical advice regarding far-flung jurisdictions, with an experienced team in the US (where we are headquartered) to tie everything together and deliver a cohesive quality work product.’
Key clients
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
- Veralto (Danaher Spinoff)
- Genpact
- Bloomberg
- Crocs, Inc.
- International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
- MKS Instruments, Inc.
- Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
- Juniper Networks, Inc.
- Danaher Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc. (WBD) on a massive internal restructuring engagement.
- Advised MKS Instruments on the acquisition and post-acquisition structuring of the complex and significant US$6.5 billion acquisition of Atotech Ltd.
- Advised Masimo on the international tax implications related to its acquisition of Sound United, a US$1 billion consumer technology company, including worldwide tax due diligence assessments.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Alison Maxwell; Maruti Narayan
Other key lawyers
Sang Kim; Kevin Patrick Glenn; Christopher J. Feldman; Ryan W.H. Starr; Frank Ikonero Mugabi; Brian Hamano; David Pope; Marc Anthony Casale; Tuan Quang Ngo