Michael Desmond
High Net Worth Guide 2024
Band 1 : Tax: Private Client
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
213.229.7531Share profile
Band 1
About
Provided by Michael Desmond
Practice Areas
Michael Desmond is Co-Chair of the Firm’s Global Tax Controversy and Litigation Group. Mike’s practice focuses on working with the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other tax authorities on a variety of approaches to resolving unsettled tax matters. He also represents clients before the examination divisions of the IRS, the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, in the United States Tax Court and in federal district courts, the Court of Federal Claims and various federal courts of appeal.
Career
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Mike served as the 48th Chief Counsel of the IRS. As Chief Counsel, he was the principal legal officer for the IRS, overseeing a staff of nearly 1,500 lawyers responsible for interpreting and providing advice on all aspects of the federal tax law. Mike previously served as Tax Legislative Counsel at the U.S. Department of Treasury, where he was the principal legal advisor to the Treasury Secretary and Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) on domestic, non-benefits aspects of the federal tax law. Earlier in his career he served as a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division.
Personal
J.D., Catholic University of America, 1994; B.A., University of California - Santa Barbara, 1990.
Chambers Review
High Net Worth
Michael Desmond co-chairs the global tax controversy and litigation group at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He has considerable expertise in tax issues and has held several senior government positions.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mike is a pleasure to work with. I know that when I work with him, I am going to get an exceptional attorney who can provide both macro strategy guidance and detailed analysis of complex laws."
"Mike Desmond is the epitome of good tax counsel; his wealth of government and private sector experience at the highest levels sets him apart from his peers."
"Mike is a pleasure to work with. I know that when I work with him, I am going to get an exceptional attorney who can provide both macro strategy guidance and detailed analysis of complex laws."
"Mike Desmond is the epitome of good tax counsel; his wealth of government and private sector experience at the highest levels sets him apart from his peers."
