McDermott Will & Emery LLP fields a large team active nationwide in the full range of contentious tax issues, including audits, appeals, and litigation. Digital tax matters are a key area of expertise for the team, which acts on behalf of numerous prominent companies with interests in this sector. The group is led by Catherine Battin, a Chicago-based SALT expert with a strong record in tax disputes at all levels. Senior partner Jane Wells May, who is a former team lead, is also active in the Chicago office. Other key names include Charles Moll in San Francisco, who is a SALT specialist with experience litigating before the US Supreme Court, Stephen Kranz, who works from Washington DC and is particularly active on behalf of tech companies, and the Boston-based Richard Call. The team saw significant growth over 2023 with the additions of Shawn O’Brien, who joined the Houston office from Mayer Brown, Edward Froelich, new to the DC team from Morrison Foerster, and New York-based lawyer Michael Scarduzio, formerly of Jones Day.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Incredibly collaborative team, both in terms of working with the client and resourcing internally to deliver comprehensive and superior solutions and product.'
'The state controversy team we use, which is led by Steve Kranz is strong and deep. They also engage in non-litigation solutions, such as regulations changes, to solve tax issues.'
'Steve Kranz stands out as a top state tax litigator who is strategic, transparent, knowledgeable and diligent.'
'Their wide breadth of expertise allows them to be a one-stop shop for great legal expertise.'
'They have good contacts with the IRS and know well how to contact them, and resolve issues.'

Key clients

Citgo
US Chamber of Commerce
Brookfield Properties
Digital Goods and Services

Work highlights

Acted for oil company Citgo in a tax litigation case before the US tax court and federal district court, addressing the issue of whether Citgo is entitled to hundreds of millions of dollars related to fuel excise taxes it paid to the government.
Acted for Southern California Edison, the primary electric utility company in southern California, in a property tax dispute arising out of the impact of the wildfires in California on Southern California Edison’s assets.
Represented the US Chamber of Commerce in challenging a law passed by the state of Maryland that levies a first-of-its-kind tax digital advertising tax on technology companies.

Lawyers

Leading associates

Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Michael Scarduzio

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Michael J. Scarduzio focuses his practice on US and international tax matters, particularly civil and criminal tax litigation. From audit to litigation, he represents taxpayers in all phases of tax controversy, including novel issues of first impression such as financial hedging transactions using a captive insurer, US tax implications of a foreign master-feeder fund’s investment activities and matters arising under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sections 7216 and 7212(a). Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/scarduzio-michael-j/

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Jane Wells May

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Jane Wells May focuses her practice on state and local tax matters. She represents businesses in connection with tax controversies at the audit, administrative and judicial levels around the United States. Her clients include companies in manufacturing, retailing, pharmaceuticals, financial services, agribusiness, food and beverage, health care, energy, technology and insurance industries. Jane has served on the Firm’s Management and Compensation Committees, on the Executive Committee and as the global head of the Firm’s Tax Practice. Jane has successfully litigated state and local tax matters raising a variety of statutory and constitutional issues. She has defended numerous internet sellers in several states against cases brought under state whistleblower statutes, including the Illinois False Claims Act, alleging fraudulent failures to collect and remit use tax. Jane also advises business clients on tax planning matters and represents athletes and entertainers in connection with employment contract issues. Jane is a co-founder of Tax in the City: A Woman’s Tax Roundtable®, which consists of women tax professionals with an interest in discussing substantive tax issues in a collegial and confidential setting, and which meets regularly in Chicago and New York. While in law school, Jane was senior articles editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Catherine Battin

Other key lawyers

Jane Wells May, Stephen Kranz, Richard Call, Charles Moll, Edward Froelich, Shawn O'Brien, Michael Scarduzio