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
Interview with Henry Gutman - June 4, 2026
Interview with Jack S. Levin - June 8, 2023
Luncheon Interview with Terence F. Cuff - June 9, 2022
Interview with William P. Bowers - May 16, 2022
Interview with Richard M. Lipton - March 4, 2021
Interview with Kevin Thomason - Feb. 4, 2021
Interview with Emily A. Parker - June 14, 2020
Interview with Thomas R. Helfand - November 11, 2019
Interview of Larry Campagna - June 14, 2019
Interview with William J. Wilkins - June 13, 2019
Interview with William D. Elliott - September 9, 2018
Interview with Ronald Pearlman - August 15, 2018
Interview with Larry B. Gibbs - June 22, 2018
Interview with Ronald Pearlman - June 21, 2018
Interview with William D. Elliott - June 19, 2018
Interview with R. David Wheat - June 13, 2018
Luncheon Interview with Steve Akers - November 6, 2017
Interview with Judge Juan Vasquez - October 5, 2017
Interview with John Porter - June 23, 2017
Interview with Fred Goldberg - June 15, 2017
Interview with Stanley Blend - July 8, 2016
Luncheon Interview with Stanley Blend - June 17, 2016
Luncheon Interview with Pam Olsen - June 6, 2016
Interview with Richard A. Massman - October 29, 2015
Interview with Sander W. “Sandy” Shapiro - June 19, 2015
Luncheon Interview with Eric Solomon - June 11, 2015
Interview with O. Donald Chapoton - May 21, 2015
Interview with Robert E. Davis - April 6, 2015
Luncheon Interview with Kenneth W. Gideon - June 27, 2014
Interview with O. Donald Chapoton & John E. (Buck) Chapoton - June 12, 2014
Interview with Kenneth W. Gideon - April 7, 2014
Interview with Phillip L. Mann - December 3, 2013
Interview with John E. (Buck) Chapoton - August 23, 2013
Luncheon Interview with Stanley Johanson - June 21, 2013
Stanley Johanson Classroom Lecture - January 29, 2013
Interview with Stanley Johanson - January 29, 2013
Interview with Emily A. Parker - November 15, 2012
Luncheon Interview with Charles W. Hall - June, 2012
Interview with Charles W. Hall - March 26, 2012
Interview with Robert E. Davis - September, 2011
Luncheon Interview with Larry B. Gibbs - June, 2011
Luncheon Interview with Buford P. Berry, Richard A. Freling, and Ronald M. Mankoff - June, 2011
Interview with Larry B. Gibbs - May 4, 2011
David G. Glickman - November 29, 2010
Interview with Ronald M. Mankoff - October 28, 2010
Interview with Richard A. Freling - October 14, 2010
Interview with Buford P. Berry - September 20, 2010
Luncheon Interview with David G. Glickman, Robert E. Davis, William P. Bowers - June 20, 2010
Bill 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
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.
Interview with Mike Desmond (Unabridged), 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 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.