Associate Attorney – Tax Controversy & Planning
Associate Attorney – Tax Controversy & Planning At our Law Firm, we do more than resolve tax disputes — we partner with entrepreneurs and business leaders to strategically grow, protect, and optimize their companies through proactive tax planning and effective resolution of controversies. We are seeking a highly motivated, client-focused Associate Attorney to join our collaborative and forward-thinking legal team.
About the Role
As an Associate Attorney, you will play a key role in both defending clients in high-stakes tax controversies and advising them on sophisticated tax planning strategies. Your work will span the full spectrum of tax law — representing clients in federal, state, and local disputes (including examinations, appeals, and litigation) while also guiding them in structuring transactions that maximize efficiency and minimize future risk. You will work directly with business owners, executives, and senior stakeholders, serving as both a strategic advisor and an advocate to ensure compliance, resolve disputes, reduce long-term tax burdens, and protect future exit and succession options. Your Responsibilities.
- Controversy: Represent clients before the IRS, California tax agencies, and other regulatory bodies in audits, appeals, and litigation.
- Planning: Advise clients on corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, restructurings, cross-border planning, and other complex tax strategies.
- Draft and review legal correspondence, filings, pleadings, and financial analyses.
- Counsel clients on entity selection, executive compensation, charitable giving, and international tax compliance.
- Collaborate with senior attorneys to design and implement quarterly and annual tax strategies, including modeling and forecasting.
- Manage casework in CLIO, oversee paralegal/legal assistant tasks, and track billable hours.
- Conduct in-depth legal research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving tax laws, rulings, and precedents.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and external advisors.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) required.
- 3–8 years of substantive experience in tax controversy and planning.
- Active member in good standing of the California State Bar (other states considered) and Federal Bar.
- Proven experience representing clients in audits, appeals, and litigation.
- Strong background in corporate tax structuring and strategic planning.
- Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe; familiarity with tax preparation software a plus.
- Experience leading support staff and collaborating within a team environment.
Success Metrics
- Deliver exceptional client service with 90%+ satisfaction ratings.
- Achieve favorable resolutions in controversy matters while proactively reducing future risks.
- Contribute to strategic planning initiatives that directly support client growth.
- Consistently meet deadlines and manage a high-volume caseload.
- Achieve minimum 1,850 billable client-service hours annually.
- Actively participate in firm training and development.
Impact Examples As part of our team, you will:
- Resolve tax disputes that protect clients from millions in penalties and preserve business continuity.
- Design tax-efficient structures that save clients substantial capital for reinvestment and expansion.
- Guide successful mergers and acquisitions by developing innovative tax strategies that optimize transaction outcomes.
- Protect entrepreneurs’ legacies through effective succession, charitable, and estate tax planning.
- Help businesses scale with confidence by ensuring compliance and minimizing exposure to future tax risk.
Why Join Us
At our firm, we pride ourselves on being more than attorneys — we are strategic partners in our clients’ long-term success. Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience in both tax controversy and planning, work alongside seasoned professionals, and make a tangible impact on the businesses we serve. We offer a collaborative culture, competitive compensation, and a defined career path designed to help you grow into a trusted advisor and future leader within the firm. Ready to join our team? Apply today and bring your expertise, passion, and drive to our Firm. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job