Welty, Thomas and Gavioli join MWE’s Tax Controversy practice in Dallas
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has hired three leading tax lawyers to the Firm’s partnership. M. Todd Welty, Mark P. Thomas and Laura L. Gavioli join the Firm to expand McDermott’s Tax Controversy practice, which was named “Tax Litigation Firm of the Year” by U.S. News & Best Lawyers in 2014.
Under Welty’s leadership, the three join McDermott from Dentons, where they represented a broad range of multinational clients in international and national tax controversy and litigation matters. They will be based in McDermott’s Dallas office.
“The integration of this group with our USIT practice further solidifies McDermott’s position as one of the few go-to tax groups for bet-the-company tax controversies,” said McDermott co-chair Peter J. Sacripanti. “Looking toward the future, this group’s established reputation for excellence and their combination of experience and gravitas positions us to capitalize upon the many opportunities that are emerging in this fast-growing area of law.”
“We are thrilled to have Todd, Mark, and Laura join us,” said McDermott co-chair Jeffrey E. Stone. “This distinguished group of attorneys brings strategically significant experience, prestige and enthusiasm to McDermott’s partnership our clients.”
Welty is a veteran tax lawyer with two decades of experience representing Fortune 100 companies, large non-US multinational companies, closely held businesses, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and tax advisors on US and international tax controversies. Prior to joining McDermott, Welty led the Tax Controversies group at a global law firm, where he was recognized as an outstanding litigator for securing strategic resolutions to high-stakes tax matters at all stages of dispute. Along with Jean Pawlow, Welty will co-chair McDermott’s Tax Controversy Practice.
Throughout his career, Welty has built a solid reputation among his peers. He is recognized as a leading practitioner by Chambers, theInternational Tax Review Guide, Law360, and The Best Lawyers in America, among others.
Mark Thomas has worked alongside Welty on Tax Controversy matters for many years, focusing on all aspects of taxation, including complex civil and criminal tax controversies and litigation, transfer pricing and domestic and international tax planning. His practice is comprehensive and includes significant experience with foreign tax authorities as well as a deep understanding of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) principles and treaty interpretation issues. He has also done significant work in the structuring of domestic and foreign mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and divestitures, venture capital and private equity transactions, business formations, cross-border financing arrangements and complex joint venture and partnership arrangements.
Laura Gavioli focuses her practice on the defense of individuals and corporations in white collar prosecutions, civil tax cases, US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) controversies and complex financial litigation. Her prior engagements include an extensive list of high-stakes tax litigation matters, including the successful defense of a U.S. taxpayer in a $1 billion distressed debt case that was the first of its kind to be brought to trial.
“Todd, Mark and Laura are an outstanding team of lawyers,” said Lowell D. Yoder, Firmwide head of the U.S. & International Tax Practice Group. “Their reputations in the legal community and among their clients and their impressive experience and knowledge of the industry will make them great assets to our clients.”