Miller & Chevalier Hires Tax Litigator George Clarke
Miller & Chevalier Chartered today announced that George M. Clarke, III has joined the firm’s Litigation and Tax practices as a Member. Clarke joins the firm from Baker & McKenzie where he practiced in that firm’s Washington, DC office.
The addition of Clarke is a reflection of the firm’s ongoing strategy of expanding its core practices to meet the increasingly complex and multi-dimensional needs of its U.S. and international-based clients. Clarke brings significant experience in areas critical to companies navigating the changing world of finance and investment, including tax, white collar litigation and FCPA compliance and investigations. Among other areas of focus, he will play a strategic role in continuing to expand the firm’s criminal tax capability.
Clarke has a strong background in tax controversy, as well as experience in criminal tax matters, application of FIN 48, foreign tax credits, summons enforcement matters, tax-advantaged transactions defense, TEFRA partnership issues, transfer pricing, transferee liability, federal excise taxes, and financial instrument taxation. In addition, he has handled representations involving FCPA anti-bribery and “books and records” violations, as well as Pasquantino and other wire fraud matters. He is particularly experienced with the application and defense of the attorney-client and attorney work product privileges.
“George adds a critical dimension to our White Collar and Tax litigation practices by bringing added depth in the criminal tax area,” said James A. Bensfield, the head of Miller & Chevalier’s White Collar practice. “In addition, his CPA and accounting background will be of great value as he advises clients on issues related to financial statements and tax records that often come up in the course of FCPA investigations and corporate criminal matters.”
Added Marianna G. Dyson, Chair of Miller & Chevalier: “George’s arrival is the latest step in our continuing focus of expanding our core practice offerings to help clients navigate the changing business landscape. His experience bridges the tax and litigation areas in ways that will provide critical synergistic benefits to our clients. In addition, as a firm with a practice and client base that are global in scope, George’s significant international corporate tax and FCPA experience will be of great value.”
Renowned Tax and Litigation Practices
Since its founding, Miller & Chevalier has been at the forefront of the evolution of tax law and policy, through the breadth of its practice; the experience and positions its lawyers have held in government and the tax bar; and the results they have achieved for their clients. The practice includes former: Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Deputy Chief Counsel (Operations), IRS; Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (Litigation), IRS; Assistant to the Commissioner, IRS; Tax Legislative Counsel, Department of the Treasury; Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel, Department of the Treasury; Associate International Tax Counsel, Department of the Treasury; Majority Tax Counsel to the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives; Assistant Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation; Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting), IRS; Special Assistant for Fringe Benefits, Associate Chief Counsel, IRS; Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE); and Tax Assistant, Department of Justice. Firm lawyers handle the full spectrum of tax matters for clients, ranging from resolving tax controversies before the Internal Revenue Service and the courts, to providing planning and consulting services, to working on legislative amendments, regulation projects, and other tax policy matters.
One of the key strengths of Miller & Chevalier’s litigation practice is its combination of extensive trial experience in civil and criminal cases, both jury and non-jury, with deep substantive expertise in core specialties, including tax, white collar crime and internal investigations, ERISA, False Claims Act and qui tam cases, IP litigation under Section 337, and complex commercial litigation. The firm’s litigators have appeared before more than 25 different federal agencies, many state courts, the vast majority of the federal trial courts in the country, every federal court of appeals, the International Trade Commission, and the United States Supreme Court.
The White Collar/Internal Investigations practice often operates at the intersection of international business and domestic enforcement of U.S. laws and maintains tremendous experience in investigations and fact-gathering around the world. The Internal Investigations practice is particularly integrated with the firm’s International Department, where the two collaborate to conduct multi-disciplinary investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Export Controls statutory and regulatory regimes.
“Miller & Chevalier’s platform is ideal for my practice focus,” said Clarke. “The firm has recognized and long-standing practices in the tax, litigation and FCPA areas, and because of the constantly changing business and regulatory environment, there is a real benefit to clients of being able to access deep expertise in all three areas from one firm in a synergistic way. In addition, I was attracted to the entrepreneurial environment and the firm’s demonstrated commitment to the highest level of client service.”
About George Clarke
Clarke focuses his practice on tax litigation, white collar crime and FCPA matters. He is a Certified Public Accountant and prior to working at Baker & McKenzie, was a Senior Accountant at Telephone and Data Systems and a Tax Accountant at McGladrey & Pullen LLP. Clarke served on active duty as an enlisted United States Marine from 1988-1992 and received a variety of commendations and citations during his service.
Clarke has spoken before numerous business organizations, and his articles have appeared in publications, including The Tax Executive, World Corporate Finance Review and an upcoming issue of The International Lawyer.
Clarke earned a B.S. in Accounting magna cum laude from Edgewood College and a J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. He received the Sewall Key Award and was a member of the Order of the Coif.
About Miller & Chevalier
Founded in 1920, Miller & Chevalier is a leading Washington, D.C. law firm with more than 100 lawyers who practice in the areas of tax, benefits, including ERISA, federal healthcare programs, white collar, federal procurement fraud, international, and related litigation. For more information on the firm, visit our website at www.millerchevalier.com.