Having practiced tax law in Washington, DC, Chicago, and now Seattle, Tom has one of the nation's premier tax-dispute resumes. For 40 years, he has first-chaired tax controversies at the highest reaches of the profession. During the first half of his tax career, he represented the IRS in tax disputes across the nation; during the second half, he represented many institutions that are household names while a partner or shareholder with two of the nation's most prestigious law firms. Tom has tried 25 jury trials, handled over 200 non-jury tax cases, and first chaired 15 cases in the federal courts of appeals. He is a former federal prosecutor and former state prosecutor. He is extensively published and cited -- a "thought leader." He may properly be regarded as having a "360-degree" tax-dispute resume.
Practice areas
Started out in 1983 representing the federal government in a criminal tax prosecution.
41 years, 250 cases
Within four months of graduating from law school, I was first-chairing cases in court. Substantial class-action experience.
42 years, 325 cases
An excellent understanding of administrative law is necessary in tax cases that involve the application of a dubious and potentially invalid regulation.
40 years, 50 cases
Extensive experience in the federal courts of appeals and before IRS Appeals.
40 years, 30 cases
Lead counsel in $190 million putative class action.
7 years, 1 case
Former federal and state prosecutor.
23 years, 35 cases
Languages spoken
English
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2002 | 12/23/2021 |
| DC | Good Standing | 1998 | 02/13/2021 |
| MN | Not Authorized - Non-payment of fees | 1981 | 11/18/2021 |
| WI | Good Standing | 1979 | 11/20/2021 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2015 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2014 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2013 |
| Leading Lawyer | Leading Lawyers Network | 2012 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
| Identified | Legal 500 | 2011 |
| Leading Lawyer | Leading Lawyers Network | 2011 |
| Identified | Legal 500 | 2010 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2010 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2007 |
| Achievement Mentioned | Legal 500 | 2007 |
| Illinois Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2005 |
| Outstanding Attorney | U.S. Department of Justice | 1998 |
| Outstanding Attorney | U.S. Department of Justice | 1991 |
| Outstanding Attorney | U.S. Department of Justice | 1988 |
| Outstanding Attorney | U.S. Department of Justice | 1986 |
| Listed | Who's Who In American Law | N/A |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Member | The Law Offices of Thomas D. Sykes LLC | 2016 - Present |
| Partner | Gould & Ratner LLP | 2013 - 2015 |
| Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig LLP | 2010 - 2013 |
| Partner | McDermott Will & Emery LLP | 2002 - 2010 |
| Partner | Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP | 1998 - 2002 |
| Assistant Chief, Reviewer, Senior Trial Attorney, etc. | U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division | 1984 - 1998 |
| Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorneys Office, Madison, WI | 1982 - 1984 |
| District Attorney | Barron County District Attorneys Office | 1980 - 1982 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Appellate Lawyers Association | 2014 - Present | |
| American Bar Association | 2011 - Present | |
| Federalist Society | Board Member, Chicago Lawyers Chapter | 2003 - Present |
| District of Columbia Bar | 1998 - Present | |
| State Bar of Wisconsin | 1979 - Present |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Journal of Accountancy | Ten Situations in Which a CPA Should Call "Timeout" | 2015 |
| CFO Magazine | Ruling Favors Employer Tax Refunds on Layoffs | 2012 |
| BNA Daily Tax Report | The Mayo Decision;s Problematic Tax Analysis | 2011 |
| Health Lawyers Weekly (AHLA) | Update On Next Steps For Teaching Hospitals To Recover FICA Tax Paid On Stipends Paid To Medical Residents | 2010 |
| Health Lawyers Weekly (AHLA) | IRS Concedes That Medical Resident Stipends are Not Subject to FICA Taxes for Quarters Before April 1, 2005: Now What? | 2010 |
| American Bar Association, Criminal Litigation Newsletter | Navigating Voluntary Disclosure in the Wake of the Government’s Assault on Undisclosed Foreign Accounts | 2009 |
| BNA Portfolio No. 524 | Deductibility of Bribes, Kickbacks, Illegal Payments, Fines, and Penalties | 2007 |
| Legal Times | Whose Tax Law Is It? | 2006 |
| IP Law360 | To Practice Law, You Need a Patent License | 2006 |
| BNA's Tax Practice Series | Chapter 3850, Examinations: Audits, Assessments, Appeals | 2005 |
| The Tax Executive | The Growing Controversy over Federal Excise Tax on Long-Distance Calls | 2003 |
| Tax Notes | The Invalidity of the "For Everyone or No One" Rule, and a Tax-Recovery Strategy Suggested by the Analysis | 2003 |
| Tax Notes | Powerful New Arguments Against the Duplicated-Loss Provisions of the LDR | 2001 |
| 41 Ohio St. L.J. 211 | Chart v. General Motors: Did It Chart the Way for Admission of Evidence of Subsequent Remedial Measures? | 1980 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1979 |
| University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire | BA - Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude | 1976 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Webcast, American Bar Association, Business Law Section | Recent Judicial Developments Respecting Chevron Deference | 2016 |
| ABA's Section of Taxation and Section of Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law (Boston, MA) | Litigation of Actions under Section 7408 and Related Sections,, Such as Section 7407 and 7402 | 2012 |
| Third Annual Institute on the Ethics of Tax Law Practice, John Marshall Law School | Shrinking Privileges, Expanding Responsibilities | 2010 |
| NACUBO Tax Forum | Medical Resident FICA | 2010 |
| Ernst & Young Conference | Medical Resident FICA and Other Employment Tax Issues | 2010 |
| 29th Annual Federal Tax Institute, Chicago-Kent College of Law | Recent Development in Taxation | 2010 |
| Tax Executives Institute's International Tax Forum | International Compliance Issue | 2009 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education, Inc. et al. v. United States | Just recently filed. |
| The University of Chicago Hospitals v. United States | Win |
| National Health Corporation v. United States | Win |
| Various | Few losses; mostly wins and settlements |
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