Morgan Lewis hires SALT specialist from KPMG
Morgan Lewis today announced the addition of [private]Kimberley Reeder—a leading State and Local Taxation (SALT) practitioner—to the firm’s Tax Controversy and Consulting Practice, resident in Northern California. Kim is a leading State and Local Taxation (SALT) practitioner, whose experience advising corporations on state tax issues in California and across the country will add significant depth to the firm’s capabilities in Silicon Valley and beyond.
“As the states continue to aggressively pursue tax dollars, Kim—who has earned a national reputation for advising major corporate clients on complex state and local tax planning and controversy issues—fits perfectly with our group’s vision of providing integrated controversy, consulting, and policy advice to our clients,” said Gary Wilcox, head of the firm’s Tax Controversy and Consulting Practice and former IRS Deputy Chief Counsel.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Kim was a tax principal at KPMG and the partner in charge of state and local tax for its Bay Area Business Unit. In that role, Kim managed approximately 25 state and local tax advisors and consulted on numerous California and multistate income/franchise and sales tax issues arising in the context of controversies, compliance, and financial reporting. She also has a substantial range of experience representing clients in state and local tax controversy and litigation matters. Her prior law firm experience includes Baker & McKenzie and McDermott, Will & Emery.
“Kim and I worked together at my prior firm on a number of occasions, and she provided invaluable assistance to many Fortune 500 clients on state and local tax issues,” noted Mary “Handy” Hevener, a partner in the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice. “With so many employers facing state payroll audits, Kim’s experience will serve our clients well.”
The firm’s West Coast tax practice has grown steadily since its founding just over three years ago with the arrival of two former Fenwick & West partners. “Kim’s client-centric touch will enhance our collaborative team approach to solving client issues,” said international tax partner Bart Bassett. “Kim is looking forward to further expanding her practice as she moves into a law firm with deep bench strength in controversy and litigation,” added Bill Colgin who, like partners Miriam Fisher and Mark Matthews in Washington, D.C., is a former Justice Department lawyer and a nationally known tax controversy expert.
Kim arrives at Morgan Lewis as the firm marks the seventh anniversary of its expansion into Northern California, which the firm celebrated in Menlo Park last week. “Kim is yet another top-level addition to our growing pool of talent in the Palo Alto office,” said Tom Kellerman, Managing Partner of Morgan Lewis’s Palo Alto office and a partner in the firm’s Business and Finance Practice.[/private]