DOJ Tax CES Attorney Appointed as Clerk for Justice Thomas (9/16/16)

Kathryn Kimball, reported in the article to work with DOJ Tax as a criminal prosecutor, has been appointed a clerk for Justice Thomas.  Paige Fry, UF alumna makes history as first Supreme Court clerk from Levin (Florida Alligator 9/15/16), here.  She is a University of Florida Levin College of Law alumna.

The article reports that she will continue working with DOJ Tax CES until the clerkship begins.  This is quite an honor.  

I have not heard of a DOJ Tax attorney moving from a DOJ Tax position to a Supreme Court clerkship.

In any event, congratulations to Ms. Kimball.

Brian Ferrel's Death (8/17/16)

Brian Ferrel, a long-time DOJ Tax attorney (Trial Attorney, Assistant Chief & special counsel), died July 21, 2016.  The Washington Post Obituary is here.  From the obituary:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD. A memorial service and burial are also planned at the Mariner Sands Chapel in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to (www.lls.org). More information is available at www.martin-funeral.com.

Academic Opportunity of Potential Interest to DOJ Tax Attorneys or Alumni (8/16/16)

I was asked to post this opportunity on the DOJ Tax Alumni blog.  I would appreciate readers considering this opportunity and passing it on to others who might be interest.

The University of Richmond School of Law seeks to fill two entry-level tenure-track positions for the 2017-2018 academic year, including one in tax law.  Candidates should have outstanding academic credentials and show superb promise for top-notch scholarship and teaching.  The University of Richmond, an equal opportunity employer, is committed to developing a diverse workforce and student body and to supporting an inclusive campus community.  Applications from candidates who will contribute to these goals are strongly encouraged.   

Inquiries and requests for additional information may be directed to Professor Jessica Erickson, Chair of Faculty Appointments, at lawfacultyapp@richmond.edu.  

Another Sumner Redstone Article (8/4/16)

Gabe Friedman, Viacom Drama’s Cast of Lawyers (Bloomberg Law 8/3/16), here.

Sumner Redstone: Built a $40 billion media empire, that includes Viacom, which owns MTV and Nickelodeon and also Paramount Pictures and CBS Corp. In 1947, Redstone graduated Harvard Law School and started his career as an appellate lawyer in the tax division of the U.S. Department of Justice. 

“When I got out of law school, I was offered jobs at several major Wall Street firms … I was not interested in either making a lot of money or limiting myself to academics,” Redstone wrote in his 2001 biography, A Passion to Win. 

Instead, he travelled the country and argued 50 or 60 appellate cases at the DOJ, according to the biography.

The link to purchase on Amazon is here.

Fred Ugast Died on 4/6/12 (4/13/16)

Fred Ugast died on 4/6/12.  His Washington Post Obituary is here.  The portion related to his Tax Division work is:

Judge Ugast began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice as a trial attorney in the Lands Division, follow by leadership roles in various sections of the Tax Division. In 1969, he became the Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Tax Division. During his 23-year career at the Department of Justice, he received the Department of Justice Sustained Superior Performance Award in 1961 and the Attorney General''s Award for Exceptional Service in 1971.

But, the rest of the obituary is worth reading, for he led a very full life outside the Tax Division.

Nicole Elliott joins Holland & Knight in DC (3/11/16)

Nicole Elliott, a DOJ Tax Alum, has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in the Public Policy & Regulation Group in Washington, D.C.  The announcement is here. After leaving DOJ Tax, she served with the IRS as  senior advisor for the Affordable Care Act.

Dana Boente Appointed to AG's Advisory Committee (2/1/16)

DOJ announced here:

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today the appointment of U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), effective Feb. 1, 2016. 

“Dana Boente embodies the vision and leadership we need to empower our communities and strengthen our nation, and I am pleased to welcome him to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “Throughout his career – as a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Tax Division, as a federal prosecutor dedicated to rooting out fraud, and as a U.S. Attorney in Louisiana and Virginia – he has demonstrated his perseverance, his dedication and his wisdom.  I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding addition to the Committee, and I look forward to receiving the benefit of his experience as we continue to work towards a safer, more just future for all Americans.”

Jim Bath's Death on 1/19/16 (2/1/16)

James (Jim) Bath, a long time DOJ Tax administrative employee died on 1/19/16.  HIs obituary is here.  The biography is here.  The guestbook is here.  Visitation and services were last weekend.

Dan Dinan's Death on 12/22/15 (1/3/16)

Daniel James ("Dan") Dinan died on 12/22/15.  The Washington Post Obituary is here, and Murphy Funeral Homes, here.  Excerpts:

He served as a trial attorney with the Tax Division of the Department of Justice from to 1970, and was an Assistant Chief of the Civil Trial Section of the Department of Justice Tax Division from 1970 to 1979. He also taught trial practice and techniques, evidence, and civil procedure at the Attorney General''s Advocacy Institute from 1977 to 1979. He was appointed as a Special Trial Judge on the United States Tax Court on February 4, 1979. He retired from the Court on August 3, 2003.

Memorial Visitation
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Murphy Funeral Home
4510 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22203

Memorial Mass 
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
11 a.m.
St. Ann''s Catholic Church
5300 North 10th Street
Arlington, Virginia 22205.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

A copy of his Mass Program is here.  (Jim Malone and I traveled from Charlottesville to the Mass and had the good fortune to see a number of alumni there, as well as meet members of Dan's family.)

John Nolet's Death on December 12 (12/15/15)

I received an email this morning from Robert Bruffy DOJ Tax, containing the following from an email to DOJ Tax personnel about the death of John Nolet, a DOJ Tax attorney:

It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of John Nolet’s passing on Saturday, December 12.  John was an attorney in the Appellate Section from 1992 until his death. Described by those who knew him well as a “true gentleman,” John will be missed by his friends and colleagues throughout the Tax Division. His professional and personal generosity, along with his quiet strength, will long be remembered.  Although the funeral will be in Massachusetts, there is a viewing tomorrow at the Stauffer Funeral Home in Mt. Airy, MD.  The obituary link below provides more details.  \\ 

http://www.staufferfuneralhome.com/notices/John-Nolet

The indicated visitation (from the linked site) is:  "The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Boulevard in Mt. Airy, MD."