(January 15, 2013, Philadelphia, PA) – Reed Smith’s Lee A. Zoeller, chair of the firm’s State Tax Practice, has been announced as Corporate Counsel for the Institute of Professionals in Taxation. Mr. Zoeller will provide services to the IPT on a pro bono basis while still maintaining his full time practice and leadership role at Reed Smith.
“It’s a singular honor to have another opportunity to serve this outstanding organization,” said Mr. Zoeller. “I thoroughly enjoyed my previous roles as an elected officer of the Institute and learned a great deal about what tax professionals need from the Institute to support their professional growth. IPT continues to do a stellar job of providing important resources and services to its members and I am pleased to work with them in my new role as Corporate Counsel.”
Mr. Zoeller was tapped for the position after a national review of candidates by the Institute’s Executive Director, based on his personal involvement with and commitment to the Institute and its programs, the volunteer support he and Reed Smith have given the Institute, and the credentials of Mr. Zoeller and Reed Smith in matters of corporate governance, intellectual property, contract, non-profit law and other legal issues which IPT encounters.
As Corporate Counsel, Mr. Zoeller will advise the Institute’s Board, officers and Executive Director on legal issues arising in connection with the Institute’s policies and practices. In addition, he will consult with the Legal Committee, General Counsel and Executive Director regarding amicus brief requests regarding litigation that may be of broad interest to IPT members. By tradition, he will also serve as the Parliamentarian at IPT’s Annual Meeting of Members, held in conjunction with its Annual Conference.
Mr. Zoeller previously served as IPT’s president in 2009-2010, was selected to receive its Distinguished Service Award in 2011, and served on the organization’s Board of Governors from 2002-2008. The 4,800-member international organization is dedicated to promoting the uniform and equitable administration of state and local taxation of businesses.
Mr. Zoeller joined Reed Smith in 2007. The firm’s nationally recognized State Tax Practice that he leads comprises more than 30 lawyers throughout the United States that help corporations save significant state taxes.
A 1989 graduate of Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law, Mr. Zoeller has been recognized by Chambers USA, Pennsylvania SuperLawyers and Best Lawyers in America in tax law. His personal practice is focused on the resolution of some of the most difficult state tax matters before administrative appeal boards, tax tribunals, and courts in more than 20 states through litigation and settlement procedures.
In addition to heading Reed Smith’s State Tax Practice, he serves on the faculty of the Council on State Taxation’s Tax School, as well as on the editorial board of Strafford Publication’s State Income Tax Monitor.
About Reed Smith
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