Giles Sutton resigns from Grant Thornton to join Tax & Employee Benefits practice at McGuire Woods

Giles Sutton has joined the McGuire Wood’s tax and employee benefits practice as a partner in Washington, D.C. This announcement comes on the heels of the hire of Barbara Spudis de Marigny, who joined the group in the firm’s Houston office in November.

Sutton, who previously headed Grant Thornton LLP’s state and local tax technical services practice and retail industry team, will focus his practice on multistate aspects of corporate income and franchise taxes, mergers and acquisitions and sales tax issues, and other corporate tax matters impacting an array of companies, including retailers, pharmacies, grocery stores and chain restaurants.

Also a certified public accountant, Sutton brings more than 20 years of experience advising Fortune 40 and middle-market companies on corporate restructurings, gross receipts taxes, global supply chain-based tax planning, and the interaction of federal international tax law with state and local tax laws.

“Giles is a nationally recognized state and local tax lawyer and accountant and he is a wonderful addition to the team as we continue to grow and expand our national practice,” said Craig Bell, chairman of McGuireWoods’ tax and employee benefits practice.

“Giles’ deep experience representing clients, particularly in the retail and food and beverage industry, will complement the firm’s work in these areas,” added Steven Kittrell, managing partner of the firm’s Washington office and former chair of its tax and employee benefits practice.

Giles frequently lectures at COST’s Advanced Sales Tax School and IPT’s Advanced State and Local Income Tax School and has taught TEI’s State and Local Income Tax course. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1998 and his LL.M. in taxation with distinction from Georgetown University Law Center in 2002.