(August 2, 2013, New York and San Francisco) – Reed Smith LLP, a leading international law firm, today announced the addition of Jack Trachtenberg as counsel and Erin Mariano as associate in the firm’s State Tax Practice. Mr. Trachtenberg joins the firm’s New York office and Ms. Mariano joins the firm’s San Francisco office.
Mr. Trachtenberg’s practice focuses on New York State and New York City tax issues. Prior to joining Reed Smith, Trachtenberg was counsel at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan in the New York office. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner and Taxpayer Rights Advocate with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, where he established New York State’s first Office of the Taxpayer Rights Advocate. In this role, Mr. Trachtenberg developed and implemented the Office’s Case Advocacy and Systemic Advocacy Units, drafted and implemented the Office’s policies and procedures, intervened on behalf of New York State taxpayers facing various tax disputes and addressed the most prevalent challenges faced by New York State taxpayers. He has represented clients before the New York State Division of Tax Appeals, the New York State Tax Appeals Tribunal and the New York State Supreme Court.
Ms. Mariano was previously with the California Attorney General’s Office – Business and Taxation Division, the California Franchise Tax Board – Multistate Tax Bureau and the Tax Court of New Jersey. Prior to joining Reed Smith, she was a Fellow with the Council on State Taxation (COST) in Washington D.C., where she researched COST’s 2013 review publication of The Best and Worst of State Tax Administration and assisted with drafting of amicus briefs filed in state courts.
“Jack brings a wealth of knowledge of highly complex state tax issues, with a particular focus on the most pressing state tax challenges facing New York State and New York City taxpayers,” said Lee A. Zoeller, Practice Group Leader of Reed Smith’s State Tax Group. “He has been an advocate for New York taxpayers for many years and he is a significant addition to the State Tax Group. We look forward to having him on the team.”
Mr. Trachtenberg received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School; his M.A. in Political Science from Case Western University; and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Case Western University. Ms. Mariano earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law; and LL.M in Taxation and Certificate in International Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center.
“Reed Smith’s State Tax Group is widely recognized as one of the leading state and local tax practices in the country, representing clients in intricate and highly complex tax issues, and I am thrilled to join a very talented team of lawyers,” said Trachtenberg. “The firm has a long history of outstanding client service and a collaborative approach to client needs and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success and expansion.”
“Jack’s substantial knowledge of state and local tax controversies affecting New York taxpayers is a valuable asset to our clients and he is a tremendous addition to the firm and the New York office,” said Edward J. Estrada, managing partner of the firm’s New York Office.
Reed Smith’s State Tax Team advises major corporate clients in all jurisdictions on multi-state tax controversies, tax planning, and the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions. The firm handles state tax matters before administrative appeal boards, tax tribunals, and courts in virtually every state as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm has handled some of the most significant tax matters arising in recent times, including cases involving intangible holding companies, taxation of software and constitutional limitations on states’ power to tax.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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