Dechert Tax Partner named Chair of ABA

The American Bar Association (ABA) has named Dechert partner Michael Hirschfeld Chair of its Section of Taxation. Hirschfeld has served as Chair-Elect for the past year and will assume the position of Chair at the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco on August 9, 2013.

“Michael’s selection as chair of the prestigious ABA Tax Section recognizes both his long-standing commitment to the principles of the ABA and his thought leadership within the national tax bar. We are proud to add this honor to the long list of Michael’s great accomplishments,” said Andrew J. Levander, chair of Dechert’s policy committee.

With more than 23,000 members nationwide, the Section of Taxation is the nation’s largest organization of tax lawyers. The mission of the Section of Taxation is to serve its members and the public by providing education about taxes and tax systems, and by providing leadership to support the development of an equitable, efficient and workable tax system. Its goals include improving taxpayer understanding of the tax system and leading in the implementation of a simpler, more efficient system.

“We’re extremely proud to see Michael recognized by his peers in this fashion, although it truly comes as no surprise to us who know Michael well, and have seen his dedication to service for years. In particular, we are pleased that Michael will hold this position, and provide guidance, during such an important time, when there are so many critical developments, whether it’s FATCA, U.S. tax reform, or the global push to coordinate tax reporting and compliance,” Chair of Dechert’s International and Domestic Tax Group Daniel M. Dunn said.

A member of Dechert’s international and domestic tax practice in New York, Hirschfeld provides taxation advice in connection with corporate, international, partnership, real estate, workouts and leasing matters. He has been recognized as a leading national and international tax lawyer by Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who in America, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers and The International Who’s Who of Corporate Tax Lawyers.

Hirschfeld is the current Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation. He has previously served as the Tax Section’s Vice Chair Committee Operations, Council Director for their International Committees, chair of their Government Submissions and Real Estate Committees and chair of their 9/11 Task Force. In addition, he is Co-Chair of the Special Investors Group of the American Bar Association’s Real Property Section and a former chair of their Taxation Committee. Hirschfeld is a former member of the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association Tax Section, and among his activities for that group, he co-chaired their committees on U.S. Activities of Foreign Taxpayers and Real Estate Tax Matters.