Eversheds Sutherland consolidates Tax Practice Group with addition of federal tax controversy experts

Eversheds Sutherland consolidates Tax Practice Group with addition of federal tax controversy experts

Eversheds Sutherland has announced the expansion of its top-tier Tax Practice Group with three new partners - David Blair, David Fischer, and Dwight Mersereau - based in Washington.

The esteemed trio brings with them extensive experience in federal tax controversy and planning, having handled a wide range of federal tax litigation and trials on behalf of both US and international clients across various industries, such as energy, financial services, and insurance. They have a strong track record representing clients in court and before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

"The Tax Practice Group has long been an important part of the firm and we are thrilled to further strengthen our capabilities with the addition of these exceptional lawyers," said Mark D. Wasserman, Co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland.

"Their experience and knowledge navigating complex transactional and accounting issues will be of great benefit to clients in high-stakes tax controversy matters throughout the United States and around the globe," Wasserman added.

Robert S. Chase, leader of the US Tax Practice Group, stated that the joining of David Blair, Dwight Mersereau, and David Fischer highlights their team's dedication to expanding through the recruitment of exceptional and proficient individuals who are devoted to providing high-quality client service.

"Their experience across a range of tax controversy and planning matters complements our deep bench of tax professionals, which, will be highly beneficial to our collective clients. With this group of laterals, our tax team will continue to be unmatched in its ability to provide unparalleled support in all manner of tax planning and controversy," Chase said.

In a statement from the group, David, Dwight and David shared: "We are excited to join Eversheds Sutherland and merge our practice with the firm's historically renowned Tax Practice Group. Eversheds Sutherland offers our existing and future clients an extensive global platform to provide outstanding service across multiple jurisdictions for their most complex cases. Like our new Eversheds Sutherland colleagues, we are committed to delivering the best client service. We look forward to working with this internationally recognized group."

With more than three decades of experience in tax litigation and trial, Blair has successfully managed significant tax disputes in a variety of areas, such as transfer pricing, foreign tax credits, partnerships, tax-exempt bonds, consolidated returns, excise taxes, employment taxes, and tax accounting issues.

Additionally, he has substantial expertise in resolving tax controversies at various stages of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Exam, Appeals, National Office, and Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement program (APMA). Blair is also actively involved in pro bono litigation.

Mersereau specialises in handling critical policy, planning, and controversy matters for major multinational corporate clients. His projects frequently deal with intricate, highly technical tax accounting issues worth billions of dollars.

Moreover, he is actively involved in shaping tax policy through a range of activities, including legislation, regulation projects by the US Department of the Treasury, revenue rulings, and private letter rulings.

Mersereau has represented a diverse range of clients, including individual clients, industry associations, and client coalitions, before Congress, the Treasury, and the IRS. Furthermore, he has extensive experience in representing clients in disputes with the IRS at all stages of the proceedings.

Fischer specialises in handling intricate and high-stakes tax controversies for clients. With almost 40 years of experience, he has a deep understanding of the workings of the IRS Appeals, the Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) programme, US Competent Authority, and various IRS alternative dispute resolution programmes.

Additionally, he has extensive experience in litigating against the IRS in various courts, including the US Tax Court, the Court of Federal Claims, and district courts.

Fischer's focus is on resolving international issues, transfer pricing, repatriation, domestic manufacturing production deduction, and complex financial transactions across several industries, such as software, healthcare, finance, oil and gas, and hospitality.

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In addition to Blair, Fischer and Mersereau, the group has also welcomed partners Todd G. Betor, Jason D. Dexter, Xenia J.L. Garofalo, and senior counsel E. Miller Williams in the past 12 months.