David Shapiro promoted to Co-Chair of Fried Frank’s tax group
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has announced that New York tax partner David I. Shapiro has become co-chair of the Firm’s Tax Department, effective September 1. He will co-chair with Alan S. Kaden, who has been co-chair of the Tax Department since 2004 and serves as managing partner of the Washington, DC office.
Mr. Shapiro assumes the role as Robert Cassanos has decided to step down as co-chair of the Tax Department after 13 years. Mr. Cassanos’ thoughtful leadership, creativity, and commitment have been instrumental to the success of the practice. He will continue to focus on his clients and his practice.
Mr. Shapiro joined Fried Frank as an associate in 1992 following his graduation from Columbia Law School and became a partner in 2000. His practice spans numerous types of tax issues, including in the areas of fund formation and mergers and acquisitions. He regularly represents leading fund sponsors in fund formation, including funds and funds-of-funds with a focus on equity, mezzanine debt, senior loans, distressed debt and real estate, and also focuses on M&A and other corporate transactions, frequently for fund clients.
“Our Tax Department plays a critical role in supporting the Firm’s corporate, real estate and restructuring practices, and I have no doubt David and Alan together will make many important contributions to its continued growth, development and success. I want to thank Bob for his extraordinary leadership over the years and look forward to clients of the Firm continuing to benefit from his advice,” said Firm chairman David J. Greenwald.
Fried Frank’s Tax Department encompasses all principal forms of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, spin-offs, and joint ventures. The Department also includes work on a variety of asset management tax issues, as well as the tax issues associated with financings, including borrower, lender and capital markets representations. The team provides tax counsel in real estate transactions, restructuring and insolvency matters, international tax planning matters, tax controversies and individual tax planning as well.