Michael Thomas Lebeau

My first experiences in property taxes began over 25 years ago when I joined the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office. While employed by the L. A. County Assessor, I prepared and presented the assessor's defense of property tax appeals, appraised real property, assisted in the professional education of new appraiser trainees, and developed taxpayer education materials.

During February 1997 I joined the State Board of Equalization in Sacramento, where I helped to revise the statewide Assessors' Handbook, assisted in the drafting of new property tax regulations, and conducted compliance audits of California's county assessors.  Concurrent with my employment at the Board, I enrolled in the evening division at the McGeorge School of Law. Graduating in 2002, I earned the degree Juris Doctor with Great Distinction, and successfully completed McGeorge's Tax Concentration. I was admitted to the State Bar of California on December 3, 2002.

Until 2007, I held attorney positions in the Board's Legal Department and the office of the Honorable Claude Parrish, the Board's Vice Chairman. Both of those positions required me to apply and interpret a wide variety of tax laws involving individuals and businesses.

From 2007 until present I have been in private practice. My practice is limited to state and local tax controversies.