Taxation Section
The Taxation Section provides current information on federal and state tax issues that directly affect practitioners in Washington. It gives new attorneys with an interest in tax law an opportunity to meet and discuss mutual areas of concern with established practitioners. The Section assists in proposing and commenting on legislation and administrative rules affecting federal and state tax practice.
Through its website, list serve, and events throughout the year, the Taxation Section provides practical, up-to-date information regarding the Section's committees, activities, and other tax resources.
In accordance with the Section's bylaws, and with the exception of law students, an individual must be an active member of the Bar to join the Taxation Section.
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Section Executive Committee Elections
The Section is conducting elections for open positions on the executive committee.
Voting is scheduled for June 5-19, 2023. All voting members of the Section will be sent an electronic ballot from SurveyMonkey via email on June 5, 2023.
Candidate Information, Open Positions, and Terms
For more information about the Section and its executive committee, please review the Section's bylaws. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by position.
Treasurer
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Alinsson A. Sierra | Statement of Interest
At-Large Member
Three positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Darek Jarski
Candidate 2: Robert Mahon | Statement of Interest
Candidate 3: Sandra Veliz
CLE Committee Co-Chair
Two positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Jason Harn
Candidate 2: Sofia Meglioli
Communications Committee Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: John Jetter
DEI Committee Co-Chair
One position open. Remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2023
Candidate: Jessica Bejerea | Statement of Interest
DEI Committee Co-Chair
Two positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Jessica Bejerea | Statement of Interest
Candidate 2: Ellen Tung
DOR Liaison Co-Chair
Two positions open. Remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2023.
Candidate 1: Kimberly Anderson
Candidate 2: Tina Poley | Statement of Interest
DOR Liaison Co-Chair
Two positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Kimberly Anderson
Candidate 2: Tina Poley | Statement of Interest
Estate & Gift Tax Committee Co-Chair
Two positions open.
1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Cat Connell
Candidate 2: Reed Jones
International Tax Committee Co-Chair
Two positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Alinsson A. Sierra | Statement of Interest
IRS Liaison Co-Chair – IRS Office of Chief Counsel
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Logan Westerman
IRS Liaison Co-Chair – Private Practice
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Richard Johnson | Statement of Interest
Legislative Committee Co-Chair
Two positions open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Callie Castillo
Candidate 2: Brett Durbin
Pro Bono Committee Chair
One position open. Remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2023.
Candidate: Darin T. Jensen | Statement of Interest
Pro Bono Committee Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Darin T. Jensen | Statement of Interest
Scholarship Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Jennifer Gellner
State & Local Tax Committee Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate: Aaron Johnson | Statement of Interest
Transactional Tax Committee Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Daniel Sito
Young Lawyer Committee Chair
One position open. 1-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024.
Candidate 1: Daniel French
Questions? Email sections@wsba.org.
NEW! 2023 Annual WSBA Taxation Section Luncheon
Registration Now Open!
The WSBA Taxation Section is pleased to announce the keynote speaker will be Michael J. Desmond, former Chief Counsel for the IRS and current partner in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Michael will discuss the increase in funding provided to the IRS by the Inflation Reduction and more specifically, how that funding might be deployed to increase clarity and certainty in the tax law through additional guidance as described in the Strategic Operating Plan released on April 6, 2023.
When: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time:
11:30 a.m.-noon: Registration and Networking
Noon-1 p.m.: Program
Where: Washington Athletic Club (New location!), 1325 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
Cost: $60 - Standard; $30 - Law Students, Government Lawyers, Lawyers in their first year (after adding seminar to cart, enter promo code LSDB and click checkout)
Speaker: Former IRS Chief Counsel, Michael J. Desmond - Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Registration will close on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 3 p.m. PDT. Cancellations are nonrefundable.
For more information and/or Group Registration!
NEW Benefit - Washington State Tax Conference Discount for Section Members!
As a benefit of the WSBA Tax Section membership, Professor Jeffrey Gramlich and the Hoops Tax Institute at Washington State University have graciously offered to provide a 50% tuition discount for the annual Washington State Tax Conference that is being held in Pullman and online this year on July 13-14. The reduced registration fees are $87.50 for members who register by June 19 and $112.50 for members who register after June 19. The registration fee is the same for both in-person and online options. In-person participants receive some meals as well as networking opportunities. CLE/CEU credit hours are available for full and active attendance (either online or in-person).
Additionally, a discounted room block has been reserved for in-person attendees at both Marriott properties in Pullman.
Tentative topics for this year's conference include: Apportionment, DOR transparency, Capital Gains Tax, Crypto/NFT/Metaverse, Tax Policy, Penalties, Legislative Updates, Court Updates, and more.
More information about the conference in general is available on its website.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have any questions or would otherwise like to get involved with the Pro Bono Committee, please contact Darin Jensen at 206-624-1230 ext. 175 or jensen@lasher.com.
Taxation Section CLE Slide Decks
Find the most recent CLE slide decks from the Taxation Section.
Newsletters
Winter 2017-2018 │ Spring 2017 │ Winter 2016-2017
Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.
Executive Committee
Chair: Kristi Richards (2022-2023) Chair-Elect: Megan Tahl (2022-2023) Secretary: Cat Connell (2022-2023) Treasurer: Jason Harn (2022-2023) Immediate Past Chair: Claire Taylor (2022-2023) | At-Large Members Darek Jarski (2022-2023) Board of Governors Liaison*: Nam Nguyen (2022-2023) and Brent Williams-Ruth (2022-2023) Young Lawyer Liaison*: Aimee Miller (2022–2023) *Nonvoting member |
Committee Chairs
CLE Co-Chairs: Jason Harn & Sophia Meglioli (2022-2023) DOR Liaison Chair: Kimberly Anderson & Tina Poley (2022-2023) Estate and Gift Tax Co-Chairs: Cat Connell & Reed Jones (2022-2023) International Tax Co-Chairs: Tuan Ngo & Al Mullins (2022-2023) IRS Liaison Co-Chairs: Logan Westerman (IRS Office of Chief Counsel) & (Private Practice) (2022-2023) Legislative Co-Chairs: Brett Durbin & Callie Castillo (2022-2023) | Communications Chair: John Jetter (2022–2023) Pro Bono Chair: Darin Jensen (2022–2023) Scholarship Chair: Jennifer Gellner (2022–2023) State and Local Tax Chair: Aaron Johnson (2022–2023) Transactional Tax Chair: Daniel SIto (2022–2023) Young Lawyer Committee Chair: Daniel French (2022-2023) DEI Committee Co-Chairs: Ellen Tung & Jessica Bejerea (2022-2023)
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Learn more about the Committees.
The WSBA Taxation Section Executive Committee generally conducts meetings on the third Friday of each month, 8–9 a.m. Please contact committee member for specific details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.
Join Our List Serve
To join the section list serve and for general section questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact section Chair Kristi Richards.
