Gibson Dunn Adds Tax Controversy Group, Led by Sanford Stark, in Washington, D.C.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has announced that Sanford Stark, Saul Mezei, and C. Terrell Ussing have joined the firm as partners in the Washington, D.C. office. Formerly with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, they will continue their preeminent tax controversy and litigation practices.
Stark will serve as Co-Chair of the firm’s newly formed Global Tax Controversy and Litigation Practice Group, along with Michael Desmond. Desmond, who previously served as Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, joined the firm earlier this year. Desmond previously served as Tax Legislative Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department and as a Trial Lawyer in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, in addition to his extensive experience in private practice.
“We are delighted to have Sanford, Saul, and Terrell join the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Our clients turn to us for guidance on a range of complex domestic and international tax issues, and, with this group, we’ll be able to meet the growing demand. Their additions are a great complement to our tax, corporate, litigation, appellate and other practice groups and will help us realize our long-standing objective of establishing a market-leading global tax controversy practice.”
“Sanford, Saul, and Terrell have impeccable credentials and are excellent additions to the firm and our growing tax practice,” said Eric Sloan, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Tax Practice Group. “With IRS enforcement activity on the rise, it is the right time to expand our tax controversy and litigation capabilities. We began that expansion by bringing Mike Desmond to the firm earlier in May, and Sanford, Saul, and Terrell are the perfect additions. We have the skill and experience to handle the largest, most complex corporate tax disputes.”
“Gibson Dunn is an exceptional firm. Partnering with Mike Desmond and our colleagues across the firm presents a unique and exciting opportunity to expand our offering to clients and continue growing a market-leading tax controversy and litigation practice. We are thrilled to join Mike and all of our new colleagues at Gibson Dunn,” said Stark.