Philly office adds Tax Capabilities With Partner Kevin Johnson

Leading tax controversy attorney Kevin Johnson has joined the Philadelphia office of BakerHostetleras a partner in the Tax Group. Johnson is a veteran of a number of high profile tax firms, the IRS and the IRS Office of Appeals who offers clients a unique perspective and an insider’s understanding of IRS practice and procedure. His practice is focused on tax controversy and litigation, as well as domestic and international tax planning for Fortune 100 clients. Johnson joins the firm from Pepper Hamilton LLP.

Johnson has over 25 years of experience representing clients in high stakes tax controversy matters, including administrative audits, appeals, post-appeals mediation, enforcement proceedings and litigation. He represents clients in the energy, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and technology industries, among others. Johnson’s recent experience includes representing a Fortune 100 manufacturer before the IRS in which his negotiations resulted in a multi-million dollar tax refund from what was a proposed $100 million tax liability. He also recently defended a commodities and option trading company in an IRS jeopardy levy enforcement proceeding, which resulted in the IRS removing the levy and releasing all the client’s bank accounts and funds.

With the addition of Johnson, BakerHostetler continues its expansion in the Philadelphia office which was established in 2014 when it combined with intellectual property boutique Woodcock Washburn. “We are excited to add Kevin’s tax experience to our growing roster of capabilities in Philadelphia,” said Joseph Lucci, Managing Partner of BakerHostetler’s Philadelphia office. “Kevin will be a great resource for our firm and the clients we serve.”

“Kevin brings new tax capabilities to clients in a thriving market and to the firm’s clients across the U.S.,” said Paul Schmidt, Chair of the firm’s national Tax Group and member of the firmwide Policy Committee. “With his experience as a revenue agent at the IRS, Kevin enhances our already deep bench of talented tax attorneys. He is a talented, insightful and artful negotiator and his skills and experience are certain to serve our clients well.”

“BakerHostetler is a tremendous, multidisciplinary firm that offers a significant platform to expand my practice and bring new resources to my clients,” said Johnson. “I admire BakerHostetler’s tax team as one of the best in the country and I’m excited to work with a group of people that I respect so highly.”

Johnson is a nationally-ranked Chambers USA tax attorney and is a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer.” He is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the ABA Tax Section and past chair of the  Tax Section’s Administrative Practice Committee and a current member of the  Tax Court Committee. He is also a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Tax Section. Johnson received his B.B.A. and M.S., Taxation, from Temple University in 1985 and 1991, respectively; he received his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1995; and his LL.M., Taxation from New York University School of Law in 2000.