Texas Tax Legends Now on TexFed!
“The Tax Legends Interviews may be the most complete chronicle anywhere of the practice and events of the federal tax law in the United States over the last 50+ years.” –Lawrence B. Gibbs.
Table of Contents:
Interview with Kenneth Keis - June 5, 2026 (COMING SOON)
Interview with Henry Gutman - June 4, 2026 (COMING SOON)
Interview with Richard A. Massman - October 29, 2015 (COMING SOON)
William D. Elliott's: Texas Tax Legends
Interview with John Samuels (Unabridged), June 6, 2025
John Samuels is the premier in-house corporate tax counsel in the US. The NYU Law Magazine has called John Samuels the most influential person in the tax world. John is currently Chairman of Global Tax at Blackstone, which is the world’s largest private equity firm. Before joining Blackstone, John was responsible for the global tax policy and tax planning and compliance for General Electric for 30 years. During the Carter Administration and the first year of the Reagan Administration, John was Tax Legislative Counsel. John's interviews discuss his unique and fascinating career at the elite level of corporate tax management and in key position at Treasury as Tax Legislative Counsel.
Interview with John Samuels (Abridged), June 6, 2025
John Samuels is the premier in-house corporate tax counsel in the US. The NYU Law Magazine has called John Samuels the most influential person in the tax world. John is currently Chairman of Global Tax at Blackstone, which is the world’s largest private equity firm. Before joining Blackstone, John was responsible for the global tax policy and tax planning and compliance for General Electric for 30 years. During the Carter Administration and the first year of the Reagan Administration, John was Tax Legislative Counsel. John's interviews discuss his unique and fascinating career at the elite level of corporate tax management and in key position at Treasury as Tax Legislative Counsel.
Interview with William S. McKee & William F. Nelson, June 7, 2024
The joint interview with William McKee and Will Nelson is a special interview. They have never been interviewed on film jointly before. The phrase McKee Nelson has long entered the common lexicon of tax law practice in the US and internationally by their having authored half a century ago (along with Robert Whitmire) the leading tax treatise on partnership taxation. Both of them have served at the highest levels of the Treasury and IRS with William McKee having served as Tax Legislative Counsel and Will Nelson as IRS Chief Counsel. In addition, they pioneered an innovative multi-disciplinary form of practice with their former McKee Nelson EY law firm. William McKee also has had a distinguished teaching career, both at University of Virginia Law school and the NYU Graduate Tax Program. Apart from their writing, their acclaimed tax practices at the very highest levels and their long-time personal friendship are particularly noteworthy. This is a historic interview.
Interview with Abraham N.M. (Hap) Shashy, Jr. (Unabridged), June 7, 2024
Abraham N.M. (Hap) Shashy, Jr. is among the elite of American tax lawyers. He is currently head of tax practice for King & Spalding. His professional life touches on many remarkable moments: Serving on the full-time tax faculty of NYU Graduate Tax Program, immediately after graduating from the NYU tax program, practicing at the Kronish law firm in New York City serving with legendary tax professors James Eustice and Steve Gardner, Practicing tax law in the Dallas office of Jones Day advising the largest real estate developers in Texas (and thus the entire US), serving as IRS Chief Counsel during a time of major reorganization of the Chief Counsel’s office, and continuing his tax practice at various top flight law firms (and KPMG) . The interview with Hap Shashy will explore his extraordinary experiences and insights.
Interview with Abraham N.M. (Hap) Shashy, Jr. (Abridged), June 7, 2024
Abraham N.M. (Hap) Shashy, Jr. is among the elite of American tax lawyers. He is currently head of tax practice for King & Spalding. His professional life touches on many remarkable moments: Serving on the full-time tax faculty of NYU Graduate Tax Program, immediately after graduating from the NYU tax program, practicing at the Kronish law firm in New York City serving with legendary tax professors James Eustice and Steve Gardner, Practicing tax law in the Dallas office of Jones Day advising the largest real estate developers in Texas (and thus the entire US), serving as IRS Chief Counsel during a time of major reorganization of the Chief Counsel’s office, and continuing his tax practice at various top flight law firms (and KPMG) . The interview with Hap Shashy will explore his extraordinary experiences and insights.
Interview with William S. McKee, June 6, 2024
William S. McKee has impacted the practice of Federal tax law as much as any man living. He, along with his writing partners, Will Nelson and Robert Whitmire, authored almost half a century ago the leading tax treatise on partnership taxation, a book which has significantly impacted the practice of federal tax law. Bill McKee has served at the highest levels of the Treasury having served as Tax Legislative Counsel. The formation of McKee Nelson EY with Will Nelson was a extraordinary moment portending a new paradigm in law firm organization. William McKee also has had a distinguished teaching career, both at University of Virginia Law school and the NYU Graduate Tax Program. The acclaimed tax practices of McKee and Nelson have operated at the very highest levels and their long-time personal friendship are particularly noteworthy.
Interview with William F. Nelson, June 6, 2024
Interview with Mike Desmond (Unabridged), June 5, 2024
William F. Nelson has been at the forefront of American tax practice for half a century. He practices with Morgan Lewis. Nelson served as IRS Chief Counsel from 1986-1989 at a point in time when the Tax Court docket was a massive 90,000 cases and guidance projects originating from the Tax Reform Act of 1986 were sorely needed. He practiced for many years at King & Spalding in Atlanta. The formation of McKee Nelson EY with William McKee was a dramatic moment portending a new paradigm in law firm organization. Most prominently, Will Nelson has co-authored with William McKee and Robert Whitmire, the significantly prominent tax treatise on partnership taxation, first published in 1977 and continuing to the present time.
Mike Desmond of Miller & Chevalier Chartered, one of the most respected figures in tax law today. Mr. Desmond has held two of the most influential legal roles in federal tax administration: Tax Legislative Counsel in the U.S. Department of the Treasury under President George W. Bush and Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service under President Donald J. Trump. These interviews will explore his career moving in and out of government at the highest levels of tax administration and serving as a leading tax litigator.
Interview with Michael J. Desmond (Abridged), June 5, 2024
Mike Desmond of Miller & Chevalier Chartered, one of the most respected figures in tax law today. Mr. Desmond has held two of the most influential legal roles in federal tax administration: Tax Legislative Counsel in the U.S. Department of the Treasury under President George W. Bush and Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service under President Donald J. Trump. These interviews will explore his career moving in and out of government at the highest levels of tax administration and serving as a leading tax litigator.
Interview with Chuck Rettig & Larry B. Gibbs, June 9, 2023
The highly anticipated joint interview with Chuck Rettig and Larry B. Gibbs, both former IRS Commissioners explores the common experiences and personal attitudes of both of these esteemed tax lawyers when they lead the IRS during a time of crisis. Chuck confronted COVID, which began shortly after Chuck began his work at Commissioner. Larry managed a systemic melt-down of the IRS computer system, which had occurred immediately prior to Larry taking office. A generation apart, both Chuck and Larry, exhibited remarkably similar executive ability and political leadership. Both succeeded in their service as IRS Commissioner.
Interview with Jack S. Levin (Unabridged), June 8, 2023
Jack S. Levin, Senior Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, was interviewed June 7 and 8, 2023, Texas Federal Tax Institute, San Antonio, TX. Chicago. Jack S. Levin’s interviews is one those special moments. To understate the point, Jack Levin is preeminent. There are not enough adjectives to describe him. He pioneered legal representation of private equity/venture capital companies. His two treatises are must-haves (1) Mergers and Acquisitions, 5-volumes, co-authored with Donald E. Rocap and the late Marty Ginsburg, and (2) Structuring Private Equity, Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Transactions, 1-vol. with Donald E. Rocap. These interviews with Jack S. Levin can only thought of as historic.
Interview with Jack S. Levin (Abridged), June 8, 2023
Jack S. Levin, Senior Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, was interviewed June 7 and 8, 2023, Texas Federal Tax Institute, San Antonio, TX. Chicago. Jack S. Levin’s interviews is one those special moments. To understate the point, Jack Levin is preeminent. There are not enough adjectives to describe him. He pioneered legal representation of private equity/venture capital companies. His two treatises are must-haves (1) Mergers and Acquisitions, 5-volumes, co-authored with Donald E. Rocap and the late Marty Ginsburg, and (2) Structuring Private Equity, Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Transactions, 1-vol. with Donald E. Rocap. These interviews with Jack S. Levin can only thought of as historic.
Luncheon Interview with Terence F. Cuff (Unabridged), June 9, 2022
Luncheon Interview with Terence F. Cuff (Abridged), June 9, 2022
Terence F. Cuff was interviewed as part of the Tax Legends series at the Texas Federal Tax Institute on June 9, 2022. Terry Cuff is one of leading tax lawyers in the United States, especially in the areas of partnership and real estate taxation. He practices with Loeb & Loeb in Los Angeles, CA, where he has spent most of his professional career. His prominence in the U.S. tax bar stems in large measure from his prolific writing and speaking accomplishments. Terry is perhaps the leading expositor of federal partnership and real estate tax law in the U.S., having published well over 600 substantive articles and delivered over 500 presentations during his career. Terry holds a B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, a J.D. from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, and an LL.M. from the New York University School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Terence F. Cuff was interviewed as part of the Tax Legends series at the Texas Federal Tax Institute on June 9, 2022. Terry Cuff is one of leading tax lawyers in the United States, especially in the areas of partnership and real estate taxation. He practices with Loeb & Loeb in Los Angeles, CA, where he has spent most of his professional career. His prominence in the U.S. tax bar stems in large measure from his prolific writing and speaking accomplishments. Terry is perhaps the leading expositor of federal partnership and real estate tax law in the U.S., having published well over 600 substantive articles and delivered over 500 presentations during his career. Terry holds a B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, a J.D. from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, and an LL.M. from the New York University School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Interview with William P. Bowers, May 16, 2022
William P. Bowers of Dallas was interviewed about his life and career as one of the leading tax lawyers in the United States. Bill is of counsel of Norton Rose Fulbright in the Dallas office. His practice has been focused on partnership taxation for most of his career. Bill started his practice at Jenkens & Gilchrist in Dallas. In 2003, Bill moved to then Fulbright & Jaworski. He interrupted his career in 2006-2008 to serve at the U.S. Treasury as Senior Counsel in the office of Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy. After his government service, Bill returned to Fulbright. Also, Bill has taught partnership taxation at the University of Texas Law School for a couple of decades (with Patrick O'Daniel). In 2022, Bill was selected as the Outstanding Texas Tax Law by the Section of Taxation of the State Bar of Texas.
Interview with Richard M. Lipton (Unabridged), March 4, 2021
Richard M. Lipton, one of the handful of tax lawyers in the US who qualifies as pre-eminent, is interviewed by William D. Elliott as part of Tax Legends film series. Lipton is with Baker & McKenzie and most well known for having served as Chair of the ABA Section of Taxation. A prolific writer and speaker, his intellectual output on tax law dwarfs just about everyone. Dick Lipton pioneered the practice of partnership and real estate tax at his firm. Dick will talk about his career starting at the University of Chicago Law School, to clerking at the Tax Court, to his substantially productive legal career at multiple law firms, and his deep involvement and leadership in the ABA Section of Taxation. His thoughtful insights and professionalism on what it takes to succeed in the practice of tax law in today’s times will be included in what will be a fascinating interview.
Interview with Richard M. Lipton (Abridged), March 4, 2021
Richard M. Lipton, one of the handful of tax lawyers in the US who qualifies as pre-eminent, is interviewed by William D. Elliott as part of Tax Legends film series. Lipton is with Baker & McKenzie and most well known for having served as Chair of the ABA Section of Taxation. A prolific writer and speaker, his intellectual output on tax law dwarfs just about everyone. Dick Lipton pioneered the practice of partnership and real estate tax at his firm. Dick will talk about his career starting at the University of Chicago Law School, to clerking at the Tax Court, to his substantially productive legal career at multiple law firms, and his deep involvement and leadership in the ABA Section of Taxation. His thoughtful insights and professionalism on what it takes to succeed in the practice of tax law in today’s times will be included in what will be a fascinating interview.
Interview with Kevin Thomason, February 4, 2021
Kevin Thomason of Dallas, Texas has been a leader of the tax bar for a quarter of a century. He has held the Chair of the Dallas Bar and State Bar of Texas Section of Taxation and the Real Estate Committee of the ABA Section of Taxation. The Texas Federal Tax Institute has achieved national prominence because of the leadership of a handful of tax lawyers, first in class of whom is Kevin Thomason, its current Chair. Kevin was at the vanguard of leading the tax bar's opposition to the patenting of tax strategies and Kevin's success in forging and leading that coalition enjoyed singular success. His broad-based tax practice has blended elements of business law, family-based tax planning, and especially distinguished by Kevin's national prominence in like-kind exchanges.
Interview with Emily A. Parker (Unabridged), June 14, 2020
This full 2-hour interview with Emily A. Parker of Thompson Knight is an unabridged interview conducted on June 14, 2020. This interview supplements the November 2012 interview with Emily. In the earlier interview, her biography was discussed. In this June 2020 interview, as Emily approaches a less active phase of her career, she take a moment to reflect on her unique experiences in her 46-year career, including her representation of Texaco and other oil companies, the important case of Estate of Bright, her 3 years as Deputy IRS Chief Counsel and Acting IRS Chief Counsel, her view on the practice of tax law and related topics. All in all, it is a most interesting interview.
Interview with Emily A. Parker (Abridged), June 14, 2020
This 1-hour interview with Emily A. Parker of Thompson Knight is an abridged version of the longer interview available on this Tax Legends website. This interview supplements the November 2012 interview with Emily. In the earlier interview, her biography was discussed. In this June 2020 interview, as Emily approaches a less active phase of her career, she take a moment to reflect on her unique experiences in her 46-year career, including her representation of Texaco and other oil companies, the important case of Estate of Bright, her 3 years as Deputy IRS Chief Counsel and Acting IRS Chief Counsel, her view on the practice of tax law and related topics. All in all, it is a most interesting interview.
Interview with Thomas R. Helfand, November 11, 2019
Thomas R. Helfand of the Winstead law firm in Dallas is one of our preeminent tax lawyers. Tom has practiced tax law with Winstead for 40 years. A unique attribute of Tom's career is that he was the first law clerk and first associate of the law firm back in the mid-1970s shortly after Winstead was formed and has remained at Winstead ever since. In this interview about Tom's career, he discusses his rise to prominence along with his law firm, his influences and choices and how he and Winstead's view of law practice were in harmony, thus grew together. Tom has been at the forefront of Dallas and Texas tax practice for these many years.
Interview with Larry Campagna, June 14, 2019
The June 2019 interview of Larry Campagna of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry of Houston allows a consideration of the career of one of the outstanding tax litigators in Texas, if not the United States. A native of Clear Lake, Texas, south of Houston, Larry is a product of UT-Austin for undergraduate and law school, where he excelled academically. After clerking for Chamberlain and then spending his entire career with that firm, he colleagues elected him managing partner. Larry has four decades of trial experience of civil and criminal tax cases. His ABA participation is and has been substantial, having chaired three separate Tax Section committees. A friend to many, and stranger to none, Larry Campagna is an outstanding example of the one of the best Texas tax lawyers practicing today, or in other words, a Texas Tax Legend.
Interview with William J. Wilkins, June 13, 2019
William J. Wilkins, who is with PWC in their Washington office, is known most prominently as the longest serving IRS Chief Counsel is modern times, having served 8 years for the entire duration of the Obama Presidency. Bill Wilkins is also eminent for having served as Chair of the ABA Tax Section, and for long service on the tax staff of the Senate Finance Committee first as Minority Tax Counsel to the Democrats of SFC during most of the Reagan Presidency, and especially during passage of the TRA 86 and then as Chief Tax Counsel of the SFC when the Democrats achieved Senate Majority in 1987.
Interview with William D. Elliott , September 9, 2018
William D. Elliott created and has led the Tax Legends interview series. The tables are turned with this interview in that Bill is asked the questions. Dan Baucum of Dallas interviews Bill about his career (Part 1) and the history of the Tax Legend series (Part 2). Bill’s career has evidenced a broad participation in State Bar of Texas leadership roles, including former Chair of the State Bar Board of Director and the State Bar Tax Section and a civic engagement in a lifetime of continuous service on city and state-wide committees, boards and commissions, as well as extensive legal writing commitments, including two books entitled Federal Tax Collection, Liens and Levies (WGL, 2 ed.) and Texas Taxes Annotated (West 2017)(with Scott Morris). In the interview, Bill discusses his successful tax practice, which he has forged as a general tax practice spanning intersecting tax, estate planning and business areas. Bill’s view is that there are many successful and pleasing careers in tax law, including the traditional role of the large firm tax specialist, as well as the business model pursued by Bill of the general tax lawyer representing families and their businesses and investments.
Interview with Ronald Pearlman, August 15, 2018
Ronald Pearlman, Professor of Law (retired), Georgetown Law School, is interviewed about his distinguished career beginning with service in the IRS, Interpretative Division, to private tax practice in St. Louis, and then in 1982-84 as Deputy Assistant Secretary (to Buck Chapoton, who as then Assistant Secretary) and then Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy) (1984-86). Ron reviews the dynamic period of the Reagans years insofar as the development of tax policy was concerned and the developments leading to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In addition, he discusses his service as Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation (1988-90) and frankly assesses the difficulties of maintaining partisan balance when advising the Congress.
Interview with Larry B. Gibbs, June 22, 2018
Larry B. Gibbs brings in this interview his insights into the pending issues confronting the IRS, and especially the new IRS Commissioner. In a wide-ranging interview at the Texas Federal Tax Institute on June 22, 2018, Larry explains the challenges facing the IRS, ranging from budgetary constraints, career IRS employee attrition, Congressional demands on IRS resources, and wounds self-inflicted by the IRS onto itself. Larry is former IRS Commissioner (1986-89).
Interview with Ronald Pearlman, June 21, 2018
Interview with William D. Elliott, June 19, 2018
Ronald A. Pearlman is interviewed in a 1-hour session at the Texas Federal Tax Institute on June 21, 2018, about his service as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy) (1984-86) and his service 1982-84 as Deputy Assistant Secretary (Deputy to John E. (Buck) Chapoton, who was then Assistant Secretary) about the developments leading to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In addition, Ron discusses his service as Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation (1988-90) and difficulties of maintaining partisan balance when advising the Congress.
At the June 2018 annual meeting of the Tax Section, William D. Elliott was interviewed by Dan Baucum. Bill, as questioner/interviewer of the Tax Legends series, gets turned about and is subjected to questions about his career in law practice, creation of the Tax Legends series, his Supreme Court case US v. Rodgers in 1982-83, his State Bar of Texas leadership work and experiences, and his unique approach to his tax law practice, among other topics.
Interview with R. David Wheat, February 13, 2018
R. David Wheat of KPMG is one of the outstanding tax lawyers of his generation. His career successes are many including Chair of the ABA Section of Taxation Corporate Tax Committee, current Council Direction for the ABA Tax Section, former Chair of the Texas Tax Section and the Dallas Bar Tax Section, currently serves on the board of the Southern Federal Tax Institute and the Texas Federal Tax Institute. Formerly of Thompson & Knight of Dallas, David has become one of the leading authorities in Subchapter C corporate taxation, and oil and gas taxation. This interview focuses on David’s career management and in particular his decision to move from a leading law firm to a national CPA firm.
Luncheon Interview with Steve Akers, November 6, 2017
Steve Akers of Dallas was interviewed at a luncheon meeting of the Dallas Bar Association Tax Section about his life and pioneering career. Steve is one of the outstanding tax lawyers of our time and certainly a widely followed and leading expositor of estate and gift taxation. His research papers and presentations are perhaps the most penetrating and rigorous analytical works focusing on estate and gift taxation outside of academia. Steve works today with Bessemer Trust, a leading private trust company. Steve's career started at Jenkens & Gilchrist, where he started in the estate planning practice group. In the mid-1990 period, Steve moved to Ernst & Young at a time when the idea of a leading tax lawyer moving from a law firm to a national CPA firm was innovative. Some years later, Steve was recruited by Bessemer Trust when they were establishing their presence in Dallas. While many lawyers have worked for trust companies, Steve's prominence as a tax lawyer made his move to Bessemer noteworthy and unique.
Interview with Judge Juan Vasquez, October 5, 2017
Judge Juan Vasquez of the U.S. Tax Court was filmed in an extended interview about his unique and touching life story, leading to his being nominated to the Tax Court by President Clinton in 1995 and re-nominated by President Obama. Now in his 23rd year on the court, Judge Vasquez continues as an exemplar of the American success story. Judge Vasquez's description of his childhood, the death of his mother when he was a child, his grandparents who became his parents, his hard scrabble life as a youth, his success in college and law school, his early work in an accounting firm leading to his becoming a CPA, his work at IRS Chief Counsel's office, experiencing discrimination as a Mexican American man, and finally in private practice in San Antonio are touching and compassionate. The Judge’s discussion is his nomination is among the most interesting parts of the interview. Mrs. Vasquez also agreed to be interviewed in Part 3, which is especially noteworthy considering her close partnership with the Judge in managing his career.
Interview with John Porter, June 23, 2017
John Porter at Baker Botts, Houston is among the elite of tax litigators. After 30 years, John has blazed new trails in legal doctrine in a number of estate and gift tax cases. Numerous of the court opinions in John’s cases start off with the phrase, “This is a case of first impression.” John has also reversed the Tax Court a number of times. This interview at the State Bar of Texas Annual Convention in June 2017 hears John discuss his career and his approach to handling some of the largest and most complex tax cases being litigated today.
Interview with Fred Goldberg, June 15, 2017
Fred Goldberg, with Skadden, is among the elite tax lawyers in the U.S., having been former IRS Chief Counsel, IRS Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (for Tax Policy). He is the only person to have held all three positions. In this interview, at the Texas Federal Tax Institute in June 2017, Fred Goldberg discusses his interesting career and government service, as well as his tax law practice today.
Interview with Stanley Blend, July 8, 2016
Stanley Blend of San Antonio was interviewed in full about his life and career.
Luncheon Interview with Stanley Blend, June 17, 2016
Stanley Blend of San Antonio was interviewed in a 1-hour interview at the annual luncheon meeting of the State Bar of Texas Tax Section in June 2016 and reviews his stellar career which includes serving as ABA Tax Section chair.
Luncheon Interview with Pam Olsen, June 9, 2016
The first woman to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy and as ABA Tax Section Chair, Pam Olsen is interview at the Texas Federal Tax Institute in San Antonio in June 2016 about her storied career.
Interview with Richard A. Massman, October 29, 2015 (COMING SOON)
Richard Massman has been a leading Dallas tax lawyer and discusses his life and career. As one of the founding lawyers at Hewitt Johnson Swanson & Barbee, Richard spent most of his career as the head tax lawyer at that firm.
Interview with Sander W. “Sandy” Shapiro, June 19, 2015
At the State Bar of Texas Tax Section 2015 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Sandy Shapiro discusses his life and career, in a luncheon interview. Sandy pioneered the practice of tax law specializing in state taxation.
Luncheon Interview with Eric Solomon, June 11, 2015
Eric Solomon of Ernst & Young accounting firm in Washington, D.C. is interviewed about his career, and especially his service at various positions at Treasury, and ending with Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy in the critical 2008 time of financial crisis.
Interview with O. Donald Chapoton, May 21, 2015
Don Chapoton, formerly of Baker Botts, Houston, discusses his life and career as a practicing tax lawyer, and his service as Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy at the end of the Reagan administration. At the 37:16 mark, Don’s wife, Mary Jo Chapoton, is interviewed to get the wife’s observations of her husband’s career and the challenges posed to her of Don accepting a position with the Treasury and the family moving to Washington, D.C..
Interview with Robert E. Davis, April 6, 2015
At the Dallas Bar Association Section of Taxation April 2015 meeting in Dallas, Robert E. Davis discusses his influences and mentors in his career, in a luncheon interview.
Luncheon Interview with Kenneth W. Gideon, June 27, 2014
At the State Bar of Texas Tax Section 2014 Annual Meeting in Austin, Kenneth W. Gideon discusses his life and career, in a luncheon interview.
Interview with O. Donald Chapoton & John E. (Buck) Chapoton, June 12, 2014
John E. (Buck) and Don Chapoton, brothers, both served as Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy at the beginning and end of the Reagan administration. In a joint interview, the Chapoton brothers discuss their government service.
Interview with Kenneth W. Gideon, April 7, 2014
Ken Gideon is interviewed about his life and career that started with Fulbright and ended with Skadden Arps, with two periods of working in the government, first as IRS Chief Counsel and then as Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy during the George H.W. Bush administration.
Interview with Phillip L. Mann, December 3, 2013
Phil Mann, of Miller & Chavelier, Chartered, Washington, D.C. discusses his career as a tax lawyer first in Houston at Fulbright, and then later as Tax Legislative Counsel, and then to his current firm in Washington, D.C. Phil is a former chair, ABA Section of Taxation.
Interview with John E. (Buck) Chapoton, August 23, 2013
John E. (Buck) Chapoton, formerly of Vinson Elkins in Houston, and now with Brown Advisory in Washington, D.C., served with distinction as Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy (1980-1984), a period of extraordinary tax reform. In his interview, Buck Chapoton recounts his interesting career in tax law and especially his time at the forefront of major tax reform.
Luncheon Interview with Stanley Johanson, June 21, 2013
At the State Bar of Texas Tax Section 2013 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Professor Stanley Johanson discusses his life and career, in a luncheon interview.
Stanley Johanson Classroom Lecture, January 29, 2013
Professor Stanley Johanson of the University of Texas School of Law is and has been ranked as one of the elite law professors, an approbation bestowed upon him consistently for a period now approaching 50 years. Since 1963, Professor Johanson has taught Property Law, Wills and Trusts and Estate Planning at UT Law School. Accompanying the interview with him as part of the Texas Tax Legends series, we were fortunate to be able to film him teaching first year Property Law in the spring semester 2013. If you wonder the source of his teaching excellence, take a look at the film and his classroom magic.
Interview with Stanley Johanson, January 29, 2013
Professor Stanley Johanson has taught wills, trusts, property and estate planning at UT Law School since 1963 and is generally acclaimed as one of the best teachers at UT. Professor Johanson's considerable charm and personality shines brightly as he talks about his life and his career.
Interview with Emily A. Parker, November 15, 2012
Emily A. Parker of Thompson Knight, Dallas, is a leading Texas tax lawyer who has served as IRS Deputy Chief Counsel and acting IRS Chief Counsel and most recently, as managing partner of Thompson Knight. Emily has carried on the long tradition of Thompson Knight tax lawyers of expertise in oil & gas taxation, having handled several major tax cases including one of the largest tax cases in U.S. history, involving long-time Thompson Knight client, Texaco.
Luncheon Interview with Charles W. Hall, June, 2012
At the State Bar of Texas Tax Section 2012 Annual Meeting in Houston, Charles Hall discusses his life and career, in a luncheon interview.
Interview with Charles W. Hall, March 26, 2012
Charles Hall of Fulbright shares his experience in his 58 years of tax practice. Along with Vester Hughes, Charles Hall is the dean of the Texas Tax bar. Charlie discusses his career as one of the top tax lawyers in Texas and some of his most prominent cases, as well as his service as Chair of the ABA Section of Taxation.
Interview with Robert E. Davis, September, 2011
Robert E. ("Bob") Davis is interviewed about his 50 years of active tax practice, especially tax litigation, involving an impressive list of victories and accomplishments. Starting in 1961, he joined the venerable Wentworth Durant and Ron Mankoff as the third lawyer to pioneer their tax boutique. This is a three part interview.
Luncheon Interview with Larry B. Gibbs, June, 2011
At the State Bar of Texas Tax Section 2011 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Larry Gibbs discusses his life and career, in a luncheon interview.
Luncheon Interview with Buford P. Berry, Richard A. Freling, and Ronald M. Mankoff, June, 2011
Interview with Larry B. Gibbs, May 4, 2011
Three Texas Tax Legends, Richard Freling, Ron Mankoff and Buford Berry discussed in June 2011 the emergence of the Dallas tax practice in the 1960s and 1970s, fueled in large measure by the client demands for sophisticated mergers & acquisitions, financings and other business transactions. Further, Dallas emerged as a place where taxpayers would fight the IRS in court and aggressively so.
In his Washington D.C. law office in May 2011, Larry B. Gibbs is interviewed about his life and career, from Corpus Christi, Texas to IRS Commissioner, and now a leading tax lawyer in Washington. This is an interview in three parts.
Interview with David G. Glickman, November 29, 2010
David Glickman is interviewed about his career with Jenkens & Gilchrist, Johnson Swanson (later Johnson Gibbs), and finally with Baker McKenzie of Dallas. In addition, David discusses his two periods with the IRS, first in the Office of IRS Chief Counsel, Interpretative Division and second in the Department of the Treasury as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Tax Policy.
Interview with Ronald M. Mankoff, October 28, 2010
Ron Mankoff discusses his career as a tax lawyer and tax litigator starting with his association with the legendary Wentworth Durant and Bob Davis. Pioneering the tax boutique, Ron Mankoff litigated some of the most notable tax cases over the past 40 years.
Interview with Richard A. Freling, October 14, 2010
Richard Freling is interviewed about his career with Jenkens & Gilchrist, Johnson Gibbs, and lastly, Jones Day. Richard has represented leading Texas entrepreneurs such as Clint Murchison, Jr. Richard bridged tax, corporate and securities law in his practice and moved tax law from a service part of his firm’s practice to a business generating section.
Interview with Buford P. Berry, September 20, 2010
Buford Berry discusses his 40-year career as a tax lawyer at Thompson Knight in Dallas handling domestic and international tax controversies. Buford Berry has represented the most significant oil companies in the world in tax matters, including litigating the largest tax deficiency ever asserted by the IRS.
Luncheon Interview with David G. Glickman, Robert E. Davis, William P. Bowers, June 20, 2010
During the Tax Section 2010 Annual Meeting, three Dallas tax lawyers discuss the early part of their tax careers in the 1960s and 1970s, which coincided with the emergence of the national reputation of the Texas Tax Bar. These three men are among the preeminent Texas tax lawyers to have practiced.