Cooley taps tax litigation partner from White & Case

Cooley LLP announced that Kathleen Pakenham has joined the firm as a partner in its national tax practice. She will be based in New York. Pakenham is a tax litigator with extensive federal tax and procedure experience and is a national authority in state tax shelter issues.

“Kathy brings to Cooley a robust tax litigation practice and a sterling reputation as an advisor on a wide range of tax law issues,” said Alan Levine, partner in charge of Cooley’s New York office. “She joins a highly regarded tax team that has built a reputation for its depth of experience handling tax controversies and the tax structuring of business transactions.”

Appearing in federal appeals courts, the United States Tax Court and U.S. district courts, Pakenham represents and advises clients in civil tax litigation, criminal tax litigation, summons enforcement litigation, tax compliance and government agency consultations. She is the youngest law firm partner listed in the Chambers USArankings for Tax Litigation. Already this year, Pakenham has tried two cases in U.S. Tax Court.

“We are delighted to have such a talented attorney joining Cooley’s tax practice,” said Stephen Gardner, head of Cooley’s New York tax practice. “Her experience handling a broad range of tax controversies, as well as her strong reputation among New York’s financial institutions, will immediately make her a valuable member of our tax group.”

Pakenham joins Cooley from White & Case LLP, where she was a partner. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School and her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.