Vinson & Elkins Adds Leading Tax Controversy Lawyers | News

Companions Kathleen Pakenham and Adriana Wirtz Reinforce Firm’s Tax Controversy and Litigation Exercise

Vinson & Elkins declared today it has expanded its nationally acknowledged Tax Controversy and Litigation apply with the addition of New York companions Kathleen Pakenham and Adriana Wirtz. They ended up previously with Cooley, wherever Pakenham served in various management roles, like as chair of the firm’s Business department, companion in cost of the New York business office, and co-chair of the Tax apply. She will join George Gerachis, existing head of Vinson & Elkins’ Tax Controversy and Litigation follow, as co-head.

“Representing consumers in tax disputes – each in the administrative process and in court docket – has normally been a major part of Vinson & Elkins’ Tax observe,” explained Gerachis. “With customer need growing from modifications in tax regulations and an greater IRS target on partnership audits, the time is ripe to increase our staff. We could not be much more psyched to have two legal professionals as talented and respected as Kathy and Adriana be part of us. They share our tactic to imaginative and pragmatic resolution of tax controversies but, like us, are demo lawyers who are comfortable heading to court when necessary.”

“We are enthusiastic that Kathy and Adriana are joining our organization. The enhance in IRS enforcement action will influence a variety of our consumers and we are fully commited to encouraging them defend their pursuits,” mentioned Keith Fullenweider, Chair, Vinson & Elkins.

Pakenham is a seasoned litigator in civil and felony issues involving complicated queries of federal and point out tax regulation and method. She has represented customers in sizable tax controversies involving a wide assortment of concerns ranging from possibilities investing transactions to real estate to international tax. She on a regular basis advises consumers at the pre-litigation evaluation period. In addition to her demo and appellate observe, she signifies purchasers going through interior and governmental investigations. Pakenham’s clients have involved Fortune 500 businesses in financial services, power, genuine estate and  telecommunications. She has extensive been recognized as a single of the nation’s foremost Tax Controversy legal professionals by Chambers United states (2006-present) and Lawful 500 (2021) and has been named in Greatest Lawyers in America (2020).

Wirtz signifies clients at all phases of a tax controversy from audit by means of litigation, together with ahead of the IRS Office environment of Appeals, US Tax Courtroom, US district courts and US courts of appeal, as properly as right before state taxing authorities and state courts. Wirtz has represented clientele in the electricity, authentic estate, daily life sciences, mining and application industries. She has distinct experience in issues involving tax insurance plan.  Her new matters go over a wide spectrum of tax concerns these types of as transfer pricing, personal debt-equity classification, charitable contribution deductions, financial compound issues, foreign tax credits and employment tax issues. She has been regarded by Lawful 500 as a “next generation partner” (2018-2022).

“Vinson & Elkins is an ideal system for tax controversy since of the firm’s deep customer base in tax-preference industries, which includes standard and renewable electrical power, as properly as its considerable roster of partnership consumers. Vinson & Elkins has 1 of the leading Tax techniques in the country and a fantastic consumer-oriented society that is pleasing to Adriana and me,” said Pakenham. “And the firm shares our eyesight of expanding this exercise to tackle an envisioned surge in high-profile contested tax issues.”

“To ideal service our clients in the tax controversy place, it is significant to have sturdy abilities in adjacent places like normal litigation, transactional tax, and restructuring,” extra Wirtz. “Vinson & Elkins’ great track record in these regions and its collaborative society make it a wonderful fit for Kathy and me.”