Hal Hicks started at Skadden Arps
Further to my post dated 26th January I can confirm that Harry (Hal) Hicks has now started with Skadden Arps as a Tax Partner in their International Tax Practice and is resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
His practice focuses on a wide range of international tax issues for multinational companies involving both tax planning and tax controversy. Mr. Hicks has broad-based experience, particularly in the areas of international M&A, foreign tax credit, transfer pricing and subpart F.
Mr. Hicks served as the International Tax Counsel at the Department of the Treasury from 2005-2007. In this position, he was the principal legal advisor to the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) on all international tax matters. He oversaw the lawyers and economists working in the international tax area, including with respect to legislation, Treasury regulations and other published guidance, treaties and official representation of the administration in international tax fora.
Prior to his position at Treasury, Mr. Hicks served as Associate Chief Counsel (International) in the Office of Chief Counsel at the IRS from 2003-2005. He is only the second person to hold both the top international tax positions at Treasury and Chief Counsel. During his time as ACCI, Mr. Hicks supervised more than 120 international tax professionals, including those in the Advanced Pricing Agreement Program. His group was responsible for published guidance, TAMs, private rulings, closing agreements and APAs in all areas of international tax. Mr. Hicks also served as principal international tax legal advisor to the IRS.
Mr. Hicks’ tenure at Treasury and Chief Counsel was particularly noted for open communication with the tax community and the IRS and for the quality and quantity of published international tax guidance. This guidance included extensive guidance in transfer pricing, international M&A, foreign tax credit, subpart F, DCL and section 987 areas. It also included substantial guidance under section 965 enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act.
Prior to his government service, Mr. Hicks had been in private practice for many years, representing clients in planning and controversy on both outbound and inbound matters, as well as on domestic matters. His education can be summarised as follows:
LL.M. (Tax), New York University School of Law
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
B.A., College of William and Mary