Tax

Amendments To Procedure Rules Reflect Dynamic Tax Court

Recent revisions to the U.S. Tax Court procedural rules show the court embracing the digital age, refinements to existing rules and the addition of new areas of jurisdiction. Andrew Roberson and Kevin Spencer of McDermott Will & Emery LLP explain eight important amendments.

Arbitrators And Mediators Should Reflect Society's Diversity

Alternative dispute resolution providers have made great strides toward diversity, but recent statistics show there is still work to be done. There are certain steps ADR providers can take to actively recruit more women and minority candidates to serve as arbitrators and mediators, says James Jenkins of the American Arbitration Association.

Why AFAs Are Key To The Future Of Legal Practice

Alternative fee agreements can help align law firm and client interests, increase efficiency and eliminate corporate extortion, among other benefits. They are the best thing to happen to the practice of law in decades, says Kelly Eisenlohr-Moul at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.

Transparency Versus Confidentiality In 2019 Tax Disputes

The growing tension between government promises of transparency and taxpayers’ right to confidentiality is likely to continue this year, as highlighted by two recent developments in Pennsylvania and California, say Tim Gustafson and Mike Le of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

'Hyatt 3' Oral Argument And Potential State Tax Implications

However the U.S. Supreme Court decides the third iteration of Franchise Tax Board v. Hyatt, argued on Jan. 9, it is much more likely that the opinion will be featured in federal courts casebooks than taxation casebooks. Nevertheless, the matter surely has some state tax relevance, says Jeffrey Reed of Kilpatrick Townsend LLP.

Series

Judging A Book: Barron Reviews 'The Clamor Of Lawyers'

Can lawyers lead a revolution? According to "The Clamor of Lawyers: The American Revolution and Crisis in the Legal Profession" — a slim but elegant volume by Peter Charles Hoffer and Williamjames Hull Hoffer — they can and they did, says First Circuit Judge David Barron.

Cannabis S Corps Should Reconsider Restructuring

The U.S. Tax Court recently expanded the application of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, disallowing certain deductions, to include an S corporation acting as a dispensary's “management” company. In response, cannabis companies may want to weigh the tax risks and potential benefits of alternate planning strategies, says Justin Hobson at Lane Powell PC.

Pa. Properties With Billboards Could See Bigger Tax Bills

In the Chester-Upland School District matter, decided last month, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania opened the door for taxing authorities to increase property assessments on parcels containing billboards based on the revenue such billboards may generate, say Kevin Boyle and Tyler Mullen of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP.

Opinion

The Case For Lawyer-Directed Litigation Funding In NY: Part 2

Lawyer-directed nonrecourse litigation funding is more likely to protect a lawyer's exercise of independent professional judgment than traditional means of litigation finance, and furthermore enables worthwhile cases that otherwise could not be funded, say Peter Jarvis and Trisha Thompson of Holland & Knight LLP.

An FAQ On The State Of Direct Procurement Insurance

The practice of procuring insurance coverage by "direct procurement" has been viewed as a constitutional right for half a century, but recent events have raised many questions within the insurance industry over whether that right is being eroded by certain states, says Zachary Lerner of Locke Lord LLP.