Ranking tables

Tax | USA

California: Northern

Tax covers transactional and controversy-related work. Tax on the transactional side covers corporate partnerships structures, tax planning, spin-offs and negotiating tax-free acquisitions. Tax controversy encompasses any contentious tax issue, predominantly at the federal court stage. This includes tax-based litigation, IRS examinations (usually concerning federal income tax issues) and tax shelter investigations. This section also takes into account transfer pricing.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Baker McKenzie
    1
    Baker McKenzie
    Tax
    2024 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie is an esteemed practice held in high regard for its adept handling of international tax work, such as transfer pricing and tax planning. The team is also noted for its expertise in tax controversy matters, including litigation and administrative appeals. It works with a host of market-leading clients, including high-profile names from the social media, money transfer and travel booking sectors.
  2. Fenwick
    1
    Fenwick
    Tax
    2024 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked
    Fenwick has a strong presence in the Bay Area, acting for an enviable client list ranging from Fortune 100 giants to early-stage Silicon Valley companies. The team has a high profile in both domestic and international tax matters, with broad expertise across M&A, transfer pricing, joint ventures and tax litigation. It is a highly credible source of legal advice on issues relating to the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
2

Band 2

  1. Latham & Watkins LLP
    2
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins is an acclaimed practice noted for its capabilities in the tax structuring of corporate deals, with considerable cross-border capabilities. The team is well known for its superior capabilities in complex REIT tax matters. Its enviable client base also includes retail and pharmaceutical companies, as well as financial institutions. Wider areas of excellence include partnership tax matters and tax-free spinoffs.
  2. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    2
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius offers notable strengths in tax controversy in addition to expertise in tax planning. It calls upon a pool of talented tax litigators with in-depth experience in prior governmental roles, including within the DOJ and IRS. The team acts for an enviable client base consisting of high net worth individuals as well as corporations in the technology and life sciences sectors, among others.
  3. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    2
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Tax
    2024 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is particularly noted for its work in the transactional space, for which it draws on the firm's long track record of handling the most cutting-edge M&A matters. It offers full-service capabilities, with strengths in tax planning, transfer pricing, partnership and controversy matters. The team cultivates a strong client base among household names in the technology sector.
3

Band 3

  1. DLA Piper LLP (US)
    3
    DLA Piper LLP (US)
    Tax
    2024 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper advises a raft of technology and manufacturing clients on cross-border transactional work, international tax structuring and transfer pricing arrangements, leveraging its extensive global network of offices. The team also has tax controversy capabilities, including criminal tax and civil litigation. Its client base includes those in the beverages, IT and chemical sectors.
  2. Pillsbury
    3
    Pillsbury
    Tax
    2024 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman is a strong tax practice based in San Francisco and Sacramento. The team is particularly active in tax controversy matters, with unrivaled strength in handling SALT matters in California and nationally. Areas of expertise include income, franchising, sales and use tax issues. It also offers know-how in transactional tax planning.
4

Band 4

  1. Goodwin
    4
    Goodwin
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Goodwin is a respected practice handling tax aspects of M&A and other transactions. The team's expertise covers joint ventures and cross-border deals. It is particularly adept at representing those in the investment funds and life sciences sectors.
  2. Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    4
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP advises on SALT and tax controversy matters, among others. Its client base includes corporations, individuals and partnerships. The team is particularly experienced in working with REITs.
  3. Mayer Brown LLP
    4
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Mayer Brown acts on a range of tax matters, including international transfer pricing and planning issues. The team is experienced in handling tax controversy cases. It is well supported by its network of national and international offices.
  4. Morrison Foerster
    4
    Morrison Foerster
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Morrison Foerster advised Southwest Gas Corporation on the tax implications of the $1.5 billion sale of MountainWest Pipelines Holding Company to Williams Companies.
  5. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
    4
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe handles tax issues arising from corporate transactions. It is also adept at advising on tax controversies. The team is experienced in working with those in the technology and renewable sectors, among others.
  6. Paul Hastings LLP
    4
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Paul Hastings calls on notable strengths in transactional tax structuring, as well as tax controversy right up to the trial level. The team offers particular expertise in real estate and funds tax matters, alongside wider strengths in tax credits. Its enviable client base includes household-name financial institutions, technology companies and private equity firms.
  7. Sidley Austin LLP
    4
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Sidley Austin is a widely respected tax team known for advising clients on tax aspects of corporate transactions. The team is strong in cross-border deals such as M&A. It has a broad client base which includes those in the media, technology and real estate industries.
  8. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
    4
    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
    Tax
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is well regarded for its wealth of experience in state, federal and international transactional and planning matters. It offers particular strength in the technology and life sciences sectors, regularly advising Silicon Valley heavyweights and investors on high-value M&A and structuring work.