Sheldon Kay returns to Sutherland from IRS
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP have announced that Sheldon M. Kay, Chief of Appeals at the Internal Revenue Service, will return to the firm as a partner in the Tax Practice Group, effective September 1, 2013. In his new position, Mr. Kay will focus on tax controversy issues, including IRS procedures, dispute resolutions and tax litigation matters.
Prior to joining the IRS Appeals Office in 2011, Mr. Kay served as a partner in Sutherland’s tax practice since 2004. Before that, he served as partner-in-charge of the Southeast area’s tax controversy group for a Big Four accounting firm.
“It is going to be great to rejoin Sutherland and my former colleagues,” Kay said. “I have enjoyed being a member of the Commissioner’s Senior Executive Team, as well as leading a tremendous group of extremely bright and hardworking Appeals Division employees, which has been rewarding, exciting and humbling. Having the chance to help improve tax administration has been very gratifying. And now, coming back to one of the nation’s most renowned law firm’s tax group is particularly rewarding as a tax lawyer.”
Mr. Kay’s government service now includes 20 years with the Internal Revenue Service and its Chief Counsel’s Office. As Chief of Appeals, Shelly led the IRS Appeals Office organization, which is tasked with resolving tax controversies, without litigation, on a basis which is fair and impartial to both the government and the taxpayer.
“Shelly’s professional experience is extraordinary, and we are pleased to welcome him back to the firm,” said Sutherland Managing Partner Mark D. Wasserman. “He possesses both the deep experience and government service that have long been hallmarks of Sutherland.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kay served as the IRS District Counsel for the Georgia District of the Internal Revenue Service. In that position, he was the primary legal representative for the District Director, the Director for the Atlanta Service Center, and the Chiefs of Appeals, Collection, Criminal Investigation, and Examination. Prior to that, he was in charge of the IRS District Counsel offices in St. Louis, Missouri, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
He has litigated more than 40 tax cases in federal courts around the country and has taught tax and accounting courses as an adjunct professor at several universities and law schools. Mr. Kay has also served as an assistant editor ofMertens, The Law of Federal Income Taxation and Casey, Federal Tax Practice.
Mr. Kay graduated from John Marshall Law School with distinction and received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University. He is a fellow with the American College of Tax Counsel, previously sat on the Board of Directors of the Section of Taxation of the Atlanta Bar Association and was a Trustee on the Advisory Committee of the Low-Income Tax Clinic of Georgia State University.