US taxes: contentious

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Client Satisfaction

McDermott Will & Emery LLP fields a large team active nationwide in the full range of contentious tax issues, including audits, appeals, and litigation. Digital tax matters are a key area of expertise for the team, which acts on behalf of numerous prominent companies with interests in this sector. The group is led by Catherine Battin, a Chicago-based SALT expert with a strong record in tax disputes at all levels. Senior partner Jane Wells May, who is a former team lead, is also active in the Chicago office. Other key names include Charles Moll in San Francisco, who is a SALT specialist with experience litigating before the US Supreme Court, Stephen Kranz, who works from Washington DC and is particularly active on behalf of tech companies, and the Boston-based Richard Call. The team saw significant growth over 2023 with the additions of Shawn O’Brien, who joined the Houston office from Mayer Brown, Edward Froelich, new to the DC team from Morrison Foerster, and New York-based lawyer Michael Scarduzio, formerly of Jones Day.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Incredibly collaborative team, both in terms of working with the client and resourcing internally to deliver comprehensive and superior solutions and product.'
'The state controversy team we use, which is led by Steve Kranz is strong and deep. They also engage in non-litigation solutions, such as regulations changes, to solve tax issues.'
'Steve Kranz stands out as a top state tax litigator who is strategic, transparent, knowledgeable and diligent.'
'Their wide breadth of expertise allows them to be a one-stop shop for great legal expertise.'
'They have good contacts with the IRS and know well how to contact them, and resolve issues.'

Key clients

Citgo
US Chamber of Commerce
Brookfield Properties
Digital Goods and Services

Work highlights

Acted for oil company Citgo in a tax litigation case before the US tax court and federal district court, addressing the issue of whether Citgo is entitled to hundreds of millions of dollars related to fuel excise taxes it paid to the government.
Acted for Southern California Edison, the primary electric utility company in southern California, in a property tax dispute arising out of the impact of the wildfires in California on Southern California Edison’s assets.
Represented the US Chamber of Commerce in challenging a law passed by the state of Maryland that levies a first-of-its-kind tax digital advertising tax on technology companies.