McDermott Will & Emery Bolsters Tax Controversy Practice in Dallas

© 2015 The Texas Lawbook.By Brooks Igo (April 27) – In an effort to enhance its reputation as a go-to law firm for tax controversy matters, McDermott Will & Emery recently added a group from Dentons headlined by M. Todd Welty to its Dallas office. Welty, who is joined by partners Mark Thomas and Laura Gavioli, said he and his team were attracted by the strength and size of the firm’s tax practice. “I want to make sure McDermott is on the short list of law firms for bet-the-company tax litigation,” he said. The SMU Dedman School of Law graduate will co-chair the firm’s tax controversy practice. He was previously the U.S. head of tax controversy and litigation at Dentons. “I was aware of Todd’s reputation in the marketplace,” said Lowell Yoder, head of McDermott’s U.S. and international tax practice group. “Tax controversy is a key strategic practice for us. Todd was top on our list.” Welty says there is an increasing focus on international tax planning at the legislative and IRS level which is generating some large tax controversies. McDermott opened a Dallas office in mid-2012, when it brought on international tax lawyer Cym Lowell as part of a…