Reed Smith hires Nagel into State Tax Group

The State Tax Group of Reed Smith LLP has announced the addition of Walter Nagel as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.

Mr. Nagel was formerly of counsel in Sullivan & Worcester’s Washington, D.C., office.

“Walt is a nationally recognized expert in multistate taxation of major corporations with particular expertise in telecommunications taxation,” said Lee A. Zoeller, Practice Group Leader of Reed Smith’s State Tax Group. “Telecommunications currently is an in-demand area, and he will add additional strength to the firm’s growing state tax team.”

With the addition of Mr. Nagel, Reed Smith’s State Tax Group has more than two dozen lawyers in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. All have specialized industry or geographic expertise.

Mr. Nagel, a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on State and Local Taxes, built his practice on his extensive knowledge of, and experience with, the state tax matters affecting telecommunications companies, including tax policies and major tax controversies faced by the nation’s largest communications-focused corporations. He has a strong background in the corporate sector, including service as Vice President and General Tax Counsel for MCI. He was also President of Peracon, an electronic commerce company. His expertise extends to providing advice to technology- and Internet-focused companies.

“The combination of Reed Smith’s preeminent, nationwide, state tax practice and its expansive geographic footprint provide precisely the right platform from which to expand my practice,” said Mr. Nagel. “In addition, the firm currently serves many of the nation’s top telecommunications firms, with whom I look forward to developing strong relationships. I am confident my capabilities will be of benefit to the firm’s clients.”

Mr. Nagel has counseled the Multistate Tax Commission on the development of a model telecommunications income-tax statute. He has also published numerous books and articles in his areas of expertise. A 1984 graduate of Rutgers University Law School, he earned an M.B.A. from Rutgers in 1988, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law School in 1990.

“Many of us have worked with Walt over the past two decades,” said Washington, D.C. tax partner, Don Griswold. “He is a very talented tax professional, who we know will be able to help us continue the growth of this important practice, as well as contribute to our overall reputation for excellence.”