Nathan E. Clukey Joins King & Spalding DC (9/21/13)

According to the press release here:

King & Spalding has recruited Nathan E. Clukey as a partner in its tax practice to help expand the firm's tax controversy and tax litigation practices. He will be resident in the Washington, D.C., office. Clukey had been a trial lawyer in the tax division of the U.S. Department of Justice since 2008. 

At the Justice Department, Clukey tried an array of tax cases in federal district courts, serving as lead counsel in both jury and bench trials. He litigated several case tax shelter cases, including the first 743(f) distressed debt shelter case. He has prosecuted civil injunction actions nationwide, including the first-ever injunction suit referred by the large business and international division of the Internal Revenue Service. He also has extensive experience handling parallel civil and criminal proceedings as well as international tax investigations and litigation, with a focus on transfer-pricing tax actions. 

"Nathan's litigation experience and technical knowledge of the tax law give him a unique ability to serve clients in complex and demanding tax controversy contexts," said Hap Shashy, leader of King & Spalding's tax practice. "We are very lucky to have Nathan, and we welcome him to the firm." 

Clukey is a three-time recipient of the DOJ tax division's outstanding attorney award and the recipient of IRS chief counsel's Mitchell Rogovin award for outstanding support by the Department of Justice. He received a J.D. degree from Catholic University Columbus School of Law, an LL.M. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Clukey is an adjunct professor in the master of laws in taxation program at Georgetown University Law Center.

Team Feffer Fundraiser for Parkinsons (9/18/13)

I received the communication below from Monique Yingling, Jerry Feffer's widow, regarding fundraising to honor Jerry in the Parkinson's Walk.  I thought Alumni might be interested in the information:

Dear Family and Friends, 

As you know, I lost my beloved husband and Andy, Johnny and Casey’s devoted father, Jerry, to complications from Parkinson’s disease earlier this year.  Parkinson’s is a cruel and devastating illness, and currently there is no cure.  For the last two years, Jerry participated in the annual Washington, D.C. Parkinson’s Walk and he worked tirelessly to help raise awareness and critical funds to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, education and outreach.  Many of you supported him in this effort by walking with him, contributing to Team Feffer or both.  Jerry was so proud that for the first two years of the Walk, Team Feffer was the top fundraiser, raising more than $60,000 each year. Andy, Johnny, Casey and I wish to carry on Jerry’s work to find a cure for Parkinson’s by participating in the Washington, D.C. Moving Day Walk for 2013, and we have registered Team Feffer in loving memory of Jerry. Jerry’s law firm, William’s & Connolly, made an extraordinarily generous gift to the Parkinson Foundation in memory of Jerry, and the top fundraiser at the Walk will be recognized in Jerry’s name.  

This year, the Washington, D.C. Moving Day Walk will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Nationals Park.  I hope you can walk with Team Feffer at this event.  If not, you can support Team Feffer by making a tax-deductible contribution.  If you plan to attend the Walk and join our team, click on the following link (Join team).  If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation please use the following link (Donate Team).  If you would prefer you can make your contribution by check payable to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area. 

Mail the check to my attention (Monique Yingling) at
3000 Garrison Street, NW
Washington DC 20008
Please be sure to put Team Feffer in the Memo field on the check. 

We all miss Jerry terribly, but are determined to honor his memory by carrying on the important work to which he was so devoted. Please support me in honoring Jerry in this way. Your tax-deductible gift makes a difference in the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s through research and makes a difference to Andy, Johnny, Casey and me personally.   

For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation and its work, please visit www.parkinson.org. For information about the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area and its services, please visit www.parkinsonfoundation.org. 

Sincerely, 

Monique

President Nominates Tamara Ashford, DAAG Tax, to Tax Court (9/18/13)

The following is a cut and paste from the White House Press Release here.

WASHINGTON, DC – President Obama announced today his intent to nominate Tamara W. Ashford as Judge to the United States Tax Court. 

“Tamara has demonstrated unwavering integrity and a firm commitment to public service throughout her career,” said President Obama.  “I am proud to nominate her to serve on the United States Tax Court.” 

Tamara W. Ashford, Nominee for Judge, United States Tax Court 

Tamara W. Ashford is currently the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Appellate and Review in the Tax Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a position she has held since 2011.  From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Ashford was a member of the Tax Controversy and Litigation Group of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in Washington, D.C.  Prior to that, Ms. Ashford served as a Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Large and Mid-Size Business Division, at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and also the U.S. Director for the Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre.  From 2004 to 2007, she served as Assistant to the IRS Commissioner.  Ms. Ashford was a Senior Associate at Miller & Chevalier Chartered in Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2004, and served as an attorney with the Appellate Section of the Tax Division at DOJ from 1997 to 2001.  She began her legal career as a Law Clerk to the Honorable John C. Martin on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.  Ms. Ashford received her A.B. from Duke University, J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, and an L.L.M. from the University of Miami School of Law.

Brian Feldman Appointed to Maryland State Senate Seat (9/13/13)

See the cut and paste of the press release below:

Media Contacts:  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Office: 410-974-2316 

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPOINTS BRIAN J. FELDMAN AS SENATOR FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 15 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 12, 2013) -- Governor Martin O’Malley today appointed Del. Brian J. Feldman as Senator for Montgomery County Legislative District 15. He will fill the vacancy left by Senator Robert Garagiola, who resigned September 1, 2013. Mr. Feldman’s term will begin effective immediately. 

“I am pleased to appoint Delegate Feldman to represent District 15 in the Maryland Senate,” said Governor O’Malley. “With experience as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates, support from county and local partners, and his dedication and commitment to moving our State forward, I am confident that Mr. Feldman will continue to serve the people of Montgomery County with distinction.” 

Brian J. Feldman, Esq. has served as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates for Montgomery County Legislative District 15 since 2003, and has held the position of Parliamentarian since 2011. He served as a member on the Economic Matters Committee; the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review; and the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, and as Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation from 2007 to 2012. 

Mr. Feldman is also a Tax Attorney, serving as Senior Counsel for Kundra & Associates, in addition to being an Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins University. 

Mr. Feldman began his career as a Certified Public Accountant/Attorney for Price Waterhouse in Washington, D.C., and thereafter joined the U.S. Department of Justice's Tax Division. While with the Department of Justice, he was a 3-time recipient of the Tax Division's Outstanding Attorney Award. Prior to joining Kundra & Associates, he served as Counsel for the firm of Kozusko, Harris, Vetter, Wareh, LLP. 

Mr. Feldman received his B.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University, his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his M.A. from Johns Hopkins University. He serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, and the Board of Directors for The Dwelling Place.

Brian served in the Civil Trial Section, Western from 1988-2001, working under Steve Fuerth, Jerry Fridkin and Bob Watkins.

In 2002, Brian  ran and was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010.