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June 9, 2025

The NYU School of Professional Studies To Host the 17th Annual Tax Controversy Forum in NYC on June 26–27

NEW YORK, June 9, 2025 — On June 26-27, the NYU School of Professional Studies Division of Programs in Business will host the 17th Annual Tax Controversy Forum at the Westin New York at Times Square in New York City.

The NYU Annual Tax Controversy Forum brings together representatives from the government, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and expert private practitioners to share perspectives on various topics related to tax audits, appeals, and litigation. The Forum covers a broad range of topics across the tax compliance and enforcement spectrum, including policy updates, procedural seminars, substantive programs, international issues, ethical dilemmas, current enforcement initiatives, sensitive audits, and civil and criminal tax penalties.

Tax compliance and enforcement are essential elements of our federal tax system. The NYU Annual Tax Controversy Forum offers attendees the opportunity to stay current on new developments, exchange ideas, and share price insights that can contribute to a more effective tax system. Participants qualify for CPE, CLE, and CE credits.

The 17th Annual Tax Controversy Forum co-chairs are:

  • Caroline D. Ciraolo, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz, Washington, DC
  • Michael J. Desmond, Esq., Member, Miller & Chevalier, Chartered, Washington, DC

Event Sponsors currently include:

  • Program Sponsor
    • Kostelanetz LLP
  • Platinum Sponsors
    • CBIZ
    • EisnerAmper
    • GreenbergTraurig
    • Meadows Collier
    • PragerMetis
  • Gold Sponsors
    • Chamberlain Hrdlicka
    • DLA Piper
    • Hochman, Salkin, Toscher, Perez P.C./Taxlitigator.com
    • Kirkland & Ellis
    • Miller & Chevalier
    • Moore Tax Law Group
    • Morvillo Abramowitz/Grand Iason & Anello PC
    • Ziering & Esman PLLC
  • Silver Sponsors
    • Marcus Neiman Rashbaum & Pineiro LLP
    • MFO Law, PC
    • Moore & Van Allen
    • Fox Rothschild

This year’s session and industry speakers and panelists include:

Day 1: Thursday, June 26, 2025:
  • What’s Next For the IRS? A Budget and Policy Perspective
    • Moderator: Sharon Katz–Pearlman, Esq., Shareholder Greenberg Traurig, New York
    • Loren C. Ponds, Esq., Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flo, Washington, DC
    • Scott Levin, Esq., Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Tax Affairs, Washington, DC
    • Joshua Odintz, Esq., Partner, Holand & Knight, Washington, DC
    • Terry Lemons, Former Communications & Liaison Chief, IRS, Washington, DC
  • Update from the IRS Independent Office of Appeals
    • Moderator: Emily P. Hughes, PC, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, Washington, DC
    • Elizabeth Askey, Esq., Chief, IRS Independent Office of Appeals, Washington, DC
  • Update from the US Tax Court and the IRS Office of Chief Counsel
    • Co-Moderator: Jennifer Breen, Esq., Partner, Morgan Lew & Bockius, Washington, DC
    • Co-Moderator: Diana L. Erbsen, Esq., Partner, DLA Piper, New York, NY
    • The Hon. Elizabeth A. Copeland, Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington, DC
    • Audrey M. Morris, Esq., Deputy Chief Counsel (Operations), Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, Washington, DC
  • Psychology and Tax Enforcement
    • Moderator: Daniel N. Price, Esq., Managing Member, Law Offices of Daniel N. Price, San Antonio, TX
    • Kaitlyn Loughner, Esq., CPA, Partner, Frost Law, Annapolis, MD
    • Guinevere M. Moore, Esq., Managing Member, Moore Tax Law Group, Chicago, IL
    • Carlos F. Ortiz, Esq., Partner, BakerHostetler, New York, NY
    • Russell Wade, Psychotherapist, Russell|Wade, ASW LICSW, Washington DC
  • Freedom of Information Act Requests: Strategic Considerations from Pre–Exam Through Litigation
    • Moderator: John Colvin, Esq., Partner, Colvin + Hallett, Seattle, WA
    • Richard J. Sapinski, Esq., Partner, Sills Cummins & Gross PC, Newark, NJ
    • Benjamin L. Tompkins, Esq. Partner Nardiello Turanchik Tompkins, Washington, DC
    • Melissa L. Wiley, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz, Washington, DC
  • The Role of US Trade Agreements in Tax Disputes
    • Moderator: Alan S. Lederman, Esq., Shareholder, Gunster, Fort Lauderdale, FL
    • Santiago Gómez Cifuentes, Esq., Associate, Steptoe, New York, NY
    • Jorge M. Obén–Cuadros, Esq., International Tax Senior Counsel, Procopio, Washington, DC
    • Heather Fincher, Esq., Associate Kostelanetz, Washington, DC
  • The Impact of Loper Bright on Tax Compliance and Enforcement
    • Moderator: Andrew Weiner, Esq., Counsel, Kostelanetz, Washington, DC
    • David W. Foster, Esq., Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, Washington, DC
    • Katherine Jordan, Esq., Director of Tax Controversy, GBX Group, Cleveland, Ohio
    • Michele F.L. Weiss, Esq., Principal, Holtz, Slavett & Drabkin, Los Angeles, CA
  • Managing Statutes of Limitation
    • Moderator: George A. Hani, Esq., Member, Mioller & Chevalier, Chartered, Washington, DC
    • Josh O. Ungerman, Esq., CPA, Partner, Meadows, collier, Reed, Cousin, Crouch & Ungerman, Dallas, Tx
    • Phillip Colasanto, Esq., Senior Associate, Withers Bergman, New York, NY
  • Partnership Audits and Litigation Under the BBA
    • Moderator: James Dawson, Esq., Partner, Holland & Knight, West Palm Beach FL
    • Paul T. Butler, Esq., Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration), Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, Washington, DC
  • Navigating John Doe Summonses
    • Moderator: Sanford J. Boxerman, Esq., Shareholder, Neill Schwerin Boxerman, PC, St. Louis, MO
    • Nilews A. Elber, Esq, Member, Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, Washington, DC
    • Carolyn A. Schenck, Esq., National Fraud Counsel and Senior Level Counsel (Offshore), Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, Washington, DC
    • Jeremy H. Temkin, Esq., Principal, Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PD, New York, NY
  • Securing Relief From Late Elections, 9100 and Beyond
    • Moderator: Miri Forster, Esq., Partner and National Tax Controversy Leader, EisnerAmper, New York, NY
    • Aaron Esman, Esq., Member, Ziering & Esman, New York, NY
    • Michael Sardar, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz, New York, NY
    • Christopher S. Rizek, Esq., Partner, Holland & Knight, Washington, DC
  • Cross-Border Information Gathering and Discovery
    • Moderator: Stephen Jose, Esq, Counsel, Vinson & Elkins, New York,
    • Christopher Slade, Esq., Partner, Aird & Berlis, Toronto, Canada
    • Philip J. Wilson, CPA, Managing Director, BCIZ, Costa Mesa, CA
    • Parul Jain, Esq., CPA, Head of International Tax Practice, Nishith Desai Associates, New Delhi, India
  • Handling Disputed Tax Issues in Bankruptcy
    • Moderator: Carmela G. Walrond, Esq., Partner, JLD Tax Resolution Group, Union City, NJ
    • Yvonne R. Cort, Esq., Partner, Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld, Syosset, NY
    • Sally Reddy, Esq., Attorney, The Law Office of Sally Reddy, San Diego, CA
    • Jeffrey M. Sklarz, Esq., Founding Partner, Green & Sklarz, New Haven, CT
  • Avoiding and Abating Civil Tax Penalties
    • Moderator: Michel R. Stein, Esq., Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, PC, Beverly Hills, CA
    • Zhanna A. Ziering, Esq., Managing Member, Ziering & Esman, New York, NY
    • Eric Green, Esq., Founding Partner, Green & Sklarz, New Haven, CT
    • Eman Cuyler, Esq., Associate, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Washington, DC
    • Fran Obedid, Esq., Founder, MFO Law, PC, New York, NY
  • Substantiating and Defending Audits of IRA Clean Energy Credits
    • Moderator: Carina C. Federico, Esq., Partner, Crowell & Moring, Washington, DC
    • Harry Ballan, Esq., Head of Tax Insurance, Munich Re, New York, NY
    • Shirley Chin, Esq., Head of Tax Insurance, WTW, San Francisco, CA
    • Sharyn M. Fisk, Esq., Associate Professor, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA
    • Amish Shah, Esq., Partner, Holland & Knight, Washington, DC
  • Correcting the Record: Paths To Compliance
    • Moderator: Tom Greenway, Esq., Designated Principal, KPMG Law, Tempe, AZ
    • Anna Tavis, Esq., Staff Attorney, Brooklyn Legal Services, Brooklyn, NY
    • Kathy A. Enstrom, MBA, EA, Director of Investigations, Moore Tax Law Group, Chicago, IL
    • Sarah Green, Esq., Senior Managing Associate, Dentons Dirote, Birmingham, AL
    • James M. Bandoblu, Jr., Esq., Managing Partner, Hodgson Russ, Palm Beach, FL
       
Day 2: Friday, June 27, 2025:
  • Update from the Tax Division, US Department of Justice
    • Moderator: Rod J. Rosenstein, Esq., Partner, King & Spalding, Washington, DC
    • Representative, Tax Division, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC (TBD)
  • Criminal Tax Enforcement Update
    • Moderator: Don Fort, CPA, Director of Investigations, Kostelanetz, Washington, DC
    • Guy Ficco, Chief, Criminal Investigation Division, IRS, Washington, DC
    • Karen E. Kelly, Esq., Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC
    • Ian M. Comisky, Esq., Partner, Fox Rothschild, Philadelphia, PA
    • Jenny G. Sugar, Esq., Member, Moore & Van Allen, Charlotte, NC
  • IRS Whistleblower Office Update
    • Moderator: Dean Zerbe, Esq., Partner, Zerbe, Miller, Fingeret, Frank & Jadav, Houston, TX
    • John W. Hinman, CPA, Director, Whistleblower Office, IRS, Washington, DC
    • Randall M. Fox, Esq., Partner, Kirby McInerney, New York, NY
  • Taxpayer Advocate Update
    • Moderator: Larry A. Campagna, Esq., Managing Shareholder, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry, PC, Houston, TX
    • Erin M. Collins, Esq., National Taxpayer Advocate, IRS, Washington, DC
  • IRS Collection Update
    • Moderator: E. Martin Davidoff, CPA, Esq., Partner–in–Charge — National Tax Controversy Practice, Prager Metis, Cranbury, NJ
    • Robert J. Fedor, Esq., Managing Member, Robert J. Fedor, Esq., Cleveland, OH
    • The Hon. Jennifer E. Siegel, Special Trial Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington, DC
  • Crypto Tax Enforcement
    • Moderator: Michelle F. Schwerin, Esq., CPA, Shareholder, Neill Schwerin Boxerman, PC, St. Louis, MO
    • Manny Muriel, MBA, EA, Partner, Bishop Muriel & Weirauch, East Islip, NY
    • James Creech, Esq., Director, Baker Tilly, San Francisco, CA
    • Jason Schwartz, Esq., Partner, Cahill Gordon & Reindel, Washington, DC
  • Employment Taxes—Civil and Criminal Enforcement
    • Moderator: Megan E. Martin, Esq., Principal, PwC, Washington, DC
    • Mary B. Hevener, Esq., Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Washington, DC
    • Brian C. McManus, Esq., Partner, Latham & Watkins, Boston, MA
    • Robert J. Kovacev, Esq., Member, Miller & Chevalier, Chartered, Washington, DC
  • Asserting, Maintaining, and Defending Privileges
    • Moderator: S. Starling Marshall, Esq., Partner, Crowell & Moring, New York, NY
    • Tino M. Lisella, Esq., Shareholder, Carlton Fields, West Palm Beach, FL
    • Laura E. Krebs Al–Shathir, Esq., Shareholder, Capes Sokol, PC, St. Louis, MO
    • Barbara T. Kaplan, Esq., Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, New York, NY
  • Who Pays? Third-Party Responsibility in Tax Collection
    • Moderator: Joshua D. Smeltzer, Esq., Partner, Gray Reed, Dallas, TX
    • Jonathan Kalinski, Esq., Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, PC, Beverly Hills, CA
    • Darren John Guillot, National Director, alliant, Washington, DC
    • Mary E. Wood, Esq., Partner, Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, Dallas, TX
  • Tales From The Trenches: Criminal Tax Trials
    • Moderator: Sharon L. McCarthy, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz, New York, NY
    • Nina Marino, Esq., Partner, Kaplan Marino, Los Angeles, CA
    • Jeffrey A. Neiman, Esq., Partner, Marcus Neiman Rashbaum & Pineiro, Fort Lauderdale, FL
    • Matt Mueller, Esq., Partner, Fogerty Mueller Harris, Tampa, FL
  • The Benefits and Detriments of Fusing Artificial Intelligence in Tax Practice
    • Moderator: Frank Agostino, Esq., Founder & President, Agostino & Associates, PLC, Hackensack, NJ
    • Caitlin R. Tharp, Esq, Associate, Steptoe, Washington, DC
    • Travis W. Thompson, Esq., Counsel, Boutin Jones, Sacramento, CA
    • Erin R. Hines, Esq., Partner, Akerman, Atlanta, GA
  • Securing and Defending Employee Retention Credit Claims
    • Moderator: Pamela Grewal, Esq., Managing Director, Andersen Tax, San Francisco, A
    • Thomas A. Cullinan, Esq., Shareholder, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams, & Aughtry, PC, Atlanta, GA
    • Christopher M. Ferguson, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz, New York, NY
    • Eric Hylton, National Director, alliant, Washington, DC
    • Daniel May, Esq., Partner, WithumSmith+Brown, PC, Red Bank, NJ
  • Tax Issues For Tax Exempts: Enforcement Issues For Exempt Organizations
    • Moderator: Alexander L. Reid, Esq., Partner, BakerHostetler, Washington, DC
    • Kelley C. Miller, Esq., Partner, Reed Smith, Washington, DC
    • Casey A. Lothamer, Esq., Area Counsel, Mid–Atlantic Region, Tax Exempt Government Entities, IRS, Washington, DC
    • Rachel Leiser Levy, Esq., Former Associate Chief Counsel, Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes, Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, DC
    • Megahan R. Biss, Esq., Partner, Loeb & Loeb, Washington, DC
  • Civil Tax Litigation
    • Moderator: Justin L. Camppolieta, Partner, Jones Day, New York, NY
    • Sarah E. Pau, Esq., Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, New York, NY
    • Andrew Strelka, Esq., Counsel, Latham & Watkins, Washington, DC
    • Lisandra Ortiz, Esq., Member, Miller & Chevalier, Chartered, Washington, DC
    • Representative(s): Tax Division, US Department of Justice and/or IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Washington, DC

View the current agenda details for the 17th Annual Tax Controversy Forum.

For information on becoming a Tax Conference Sponsor or exhibiting at the Conferences, please contact Kathleen Costello at (212) 992-3320 or sps.tax@nyu.edu.

If you are a member of the media interested in reporting on the sessions, please get in touch with Michael DeMeo at michael.demeo@nyu.edu.

About the NYU SPS Department of Finance and Taxation Program
The NYU SPS Department of Finance and Taxation Program has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an Accredited Provider of continuing legal education in New York. The NYU School of Professional Studies Department of Finance and Taxation Program is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.

About the NYU School of Professional Studies
Established in 1934, NYU SPS is an internationally recognized university that offers diverse students access and opportunity to practical, real-world preparation to thrive in their careers while building the next generation of industry leaders ready to embrace tomorrow’s innovations and challenges and lead change in global workplaces.

The NYU SPS global community is made up of industry professionals, doers, and trailblazers shaping the future of industries, positioning the School as an idea incubator center for various fields, including real estate, hospitality, global affairs, sports business, integrated marketing, HR, professional writing and more.

Today, NYU SPS offers one of the most diverse portfolios of educational offerings at NYU, including graduate degrees, bachelor’s degrees for traditional and degree completion students, associate degrees, continuing education courses, and certificate programs.

NYU SPS is the host of some of the largest and most in-demand industry conferences in the world, including the Schack Institute of Real Estate’s Capital Markets Conference, REIT Symposium, and National Symposium of Women in Real Estate; the Jonathan M. Tisch Center’s International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, Annual NYU Tax Conferences, and the NYU Coaching and Technology Summit, the School’s invaluable connections to industry leaders is a distinguishing factor in the education that it provides.

PR OFFICE CONTACTS

Michael DeMeo
michael.demeo@nyu.edu
212-992-9103