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If you want to prepare for a career in Taxation these are suggested courses to take, recommended career-path experiences to have, and bar examination factors to consider

WHAT LAWYERS WHO PRACTICE IN THIS FIELD DO

Tax lawyers work at law firms, corporations, accounting firms, or government agencies and have extensive knowledge of the IRS Tax Code. Their work can focus on tax planning, tax litigation, or both.

• Tax planning: Tax planners help their clients plan their personal or business transactions to minimize tax costs. Tax planning is needed frequently in the areas of corporate transactions, estate planning, employee benefits, real estate, and bankruptcy.

• Tax controversy: Tax litigators handle disputes between individuals or entities and the IRS or state tax authorities, including the audit and negotiation process. They also handle any resulting litigation in Tax Court or other courts.

COURSES THAT CAN PREPARE YOU

The Chase curriculum requires foundational courses for all students and offers additional courses for specialized expertise.

Required

• Business Organizations
• Wills & Trusts

Advanced

• Administrative Law
• Estate Planning
• Federal Income Taxation
• Advanced Income Tax Concepts
• Tax: Business Organizations and Business Planning
• Tax Litigation

Skills

• Accounting for Lawyers

Experiential

• IRS Chief Counsel Externship

FACULTY MEMBERS WHO TEACH TAXATION-RELATED COURSES

Professors

• Dennis Honabach
• Kenneth Katkin
• Ljubomir Nacev
• Henry Stephens

CAREER PATH EXPERIENCES THAT CAN SET YOU APART

Here are some of the ways in which to develop necessary practice skills.

• Work as a summer associate or law clerk at a law firm handling tax law matters.
• Complete a tax-focused externship with the IRS Chief Counsel’s Office.
• Serve as a law clerk or extern in a corporation’s legal or compliance department.
• Participate in the Small Business and Nonprofit Law Clinic, and obtain a limited law license to represent clients in traditional business law matters.
• Complete skills courses to develop necessary advanced drafting and negotiation skills.
• Compete in the ABA Tax Competition or the Tax Moot Court Interschool Competition.
• Take advantage of networking opportunities to meet lawyers practicing in the area of tax law.
• Shadow tax attorneys to learn more about this area of practice.

BAR EXAMINATION FACTOR

This topic is not specifically tested on the bar examination in Kentucky, Indiana, or Ohio; it may be tested elsewhere, so check your jurisdiction’s website to be certain.

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