Reed Smith has expanded its state tax practice with the addition of Shail P. Shah as a partner in Los Angeles. Shail's arrival follows closely on the heels of three new tax attorneys joining our DC and Philadelphia offices. Our State Tax Group now has 40 lawyers.
Shail brings significant experience on a wide range of corporate state income tax issues, including resolution of state tax controversies before administrative tax agencies. Previously an attorney in the California Franchise Tax Board's legal department, he most recently was a managing director at Andersen Tax in San Francisco. Shail received his J.D. and LL.M in tax from the University of San Diego School of Law and his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
"Shail has an exceptional mix of experience that will help us continue to expand our capabilities on the West Coast," said Lee A. Zoeller, head of Reed Smith's State Tax Group. "His focus on assisting companies with tax controversy matters and his experience at the Franchise Tax Board will allow us to offer greater advice and counsel to corporations in that arena. Shail's experience is a perfect complement to our existing state tax team's strengths."
"Among the many reasons I decided to join Reed Smith was an opportunity to return to practice at a highly regarded law firm, with an extremely strong national state tax team," Shail said. "With offices in major U.S. markets, the Reed Smith platform offers me the opportunity to assist clients with a wider range of complex state tax issues."
"At a time when corporations are facing uncertainty related to recent federal and state tax law changes, our clients look to the firm for counsel on a growing number of tax compliance and legal issues," said Lorenzo E. Gasparetti, Los Angeles office managing partner. "With a broad base of California tax experience, Shail is the right fit to help us continue expanding our tax practice on the West Coast."
The firm's state tax practice has also added two attorneys in DC and one in Philadelphia, adding depth and breadth to the group's capabilities on both coasts. In February, Jeremy S. Abrams rejoined as counsel in the DC office. Previously an associate at Reed Smith from 2011-2012, Jeremy was most recently an attorney at Crowell & Moring. He focuses his practice on state and local tax planning, litigation matters, escheat and business aviation matters, and he has advised companies in all stages of state tax controversies in many states, including audits, administrative appeals and judicial appeals.
DeAndre R. Morrow also joined as an associate in our DC office. Previously an attorney with Eversheds Sutherland, DeAndre was a staff tax attorney for the Revenue Administration Division of the Comptroller of Maryland. He advises companies on income, property, franchise, sales and use tax matters, as well as tax compliance, planning, policy and controversy issues.
In Philadelphia, Megan Q. Miller also joined our state tax practice as an associate. She focuses her practice on multistate tax litigation matters in Pennsylvania and North Carolina and has significant experience advising clients on tax return preparation in both state income tax and indirect tax. Previously, Megan was a tax consultant in PricewaterhouseCoopers' state and local tax group in Philadelphia.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith's state and local tax practice is composed of 40 lawyers across seven offices nationwide. The practice focuses on state and local audit defense and refund appeals (from the administrative level through the appellate courts), as well as planning and transactional matters involving income, franchise, unclaimed property, sales and use, and property tax issues.
For further information, please visit www.reedsmith.com/statetax.