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Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
LL.M., Taxation, 1997

Michigan State University College of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1989

University of Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
B.A., Economics, Political Science, 1985

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Federal Claims

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Supreme Court

United States Tax Court

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Tax Attorney

Eric is a partner and leads the firm’s Tax Planning, Compliance and Litigation Practice Team. He has extensive experience in tax law with a focus on all aspects of related civil and criminal law, as well as complex financial investigative and litigation matters.

Through a collaborative and proactive process he has achieved exceptional results, including multiple discontinued or “dropped” investigations, litigation victories and, where appropriate, effective sentencing advocacy resulting in multiple occasions of greatly reduced sentences or no jail time for his clients.

The ability to organize and plan a highly technical or complex defense to an investigation also enables Eric to conduct proactive fraud investigations on behalf of clients that suspect embezzlement or theft by employees or contractors.

Eric represents businesses, individuals and other entities such as trusts and estates in the defense of IRS, FBI, Homeland Security, state police and other law-enforcement agency investigations. He has significant experience in counseling and representing witnesses, victims and targets of an investigation, and his counsel is widely sought by other lawyers, accountants and financial advisors.

A long-time leader in the tax and financial field, Eric has led or assisted in matters for clients on five continents and over most of the United States. He routinely provides legal advice and counsel to clients regarding the tax implications of assets held outside of the United States.

Eric’s clients benefit from his prior experience representing the government in IRS audits, investigations, negotiations and litigation. He started his career as a senior trial lawyer for IRS Chief Counsel (Honors Program) and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. During his tenure with the government, Eric litigated complex matters and provided legal support, guidance and strategy for a multitude of criminal investigations and civil tax examinations. His service was recognized with multiple performance awards.

Eric stays on top of legal developments as a regular visiting professor and lecturer. He also authors several articles per year, is a regular speaker to professional groups and has received a multitude of peer recognition awards.

Experience

Successfully advocated for a business owner and resolved a criminal investigation with all charges dropped.

Successfully secured dismissal of multiple charges including charges with mandatory prison terms.

Negotiated an Offer in Compromise satisfying an obligation in excess of $10 million for less than five percent.

Represented retailer in criminal investigation resulting in no charges filed.

Resolved an IRS examination spanning dozens of related entities preserving valuable deductions and minimizing penalties.

Was lead counsel on significant “offshore” IRS investigation resulting in a determination of non-willfulness with a resultant client savings in-excess of $10 million.

Represented international commodities trader in multi-agency federal investigation including IRS, EPA and Homeland Security.

Lead counsel for multinational taxpayer in successfully resolving international tax and tax compliance matters.

Successfully spearheaded forensic investigation involving multiple countries, resulting in a non-prosecution determination by the Department of Justice.

Represented prominent entertainer in IRS criminal investigation that resulted in the Department of Justice declining prosecution.

Successfully prevailed in a sentencing phase wherein the client avoided prison and was able to operate and preserve his business.

Represented manufacturing company in IRS civil examination and concluded the examination without any additional tax due.

Negotiated an Offer in Compromise for client fully resolving outstanding tax liabilities for less than 10 percent saving the client over $1 million.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, 2022

Best Lawyers in America® since 2012

DBusiness© magazine, Top Lawyers, Tax Law, since 2011

Leading Lawyers: Criminal Defense Law – White Collar; Tax Law – Business; Tax Law – Individual

Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Hall of Fame, 2024

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law, 2015

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2010

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 100, 2012

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Consumer Super Lawyers, 2016, 2017, 2018

U.S. Army Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters

U.S. Army Achievement Medal

IRS Chief Counsel Special Act Award (Four)

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Taxation Section; Sports Law Section

Detroit Veterans Bar Association, vice president, 2017

Federal Bar Association: Taxation Section, past chair, 1996 – 2000

Law360 Tax Authority Federal Editorial Advisory Board – 2020, 2023

State Bar of Michigan: Taxation Section, past chair; Tax Practice and Procedure Section

Community Involvement

Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Board of Trustees

Holy Redeemer Schools (Detroit), past chair

Metro Detroit Young Entrepreneurs Academy, Ambassador Club and judge

Michigan State University College of Law: Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, Board member; Tax Practice and Procedure, adjunct professor

University of Michigan: Victors for Michigan Campaign Steering Committee, co-chair (Dearborn); Dean’s Advisory Council (Dearborn)

Walsh College Graduate Tax Program, Tax Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting, adjunct professor

Presentations

MICPA Small Firm Practitioner’s Conference: “Multi-year Tax Planning Demystified,” August 17, 2023

National Institute: Criminal Tax Fraud/Tax Controversy, Las Vegas, Nevada – December 11, 2019

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