Brett Willis, a seasoned tax lawyer with in-depth knowledge of the private equity space, has joined Pillsbury as a partner in firm’s Los Angeles office. Willis, who advises on a broad spectrum of transactions, including the tax aspects of private equity funds, mergers and acquisitions and partnerships, joins from Oaktree Capital Management, where he was Senior Vice President.
“Brett is a terrific addition to Pillsbury, bringing a wealth of tax experience and first-hand in-house perspective that should be of great benefit to clients across a range of industries, including the Technology, Energy, Financial and Real Estate & Construction sectors,” said James Chudy, leader of Pillsbury’s global Tax practice. “His arrival augments and expands the firm’s capabilities in our transactional and consulting practice, particularly in connection with mergers and acquisitions, private equity funds and real estate.”
At Oaktree, Willis handled tax matters relating to acquisitions and divestitures of portfolio companies and fund structures for all strategies, including domestic and international portfolio companies and funds. Prior to joining Oaktree in 2016, Willis was a Tax partner at Kirkland & Ellis. He started his legal career at Skadden.
Willis added: “I’m thrilled to join Pillsbury’s Tax practice and look forward to advising its many clients on the full array of tax issues they encounter. The firm has an outstanding team of tax lawyers, an impressive list of industry leading clients and a strong transactional practice primed for continued success. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Pillsbury’s Tax practice—which is recognized for excellence by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 U.S. and U.S. News – Best Lawyers—counsels blue-chip clients on a range of complex tax issues, from structuring and negotiating domestic and cross-border M&A, finance, securities, and securitization transactions to advising on restructurings, private funds and real estate investments (including REITs). The group has an extensive knowledge of tax-advantaged investment and housing finance, is well-versed in the intricacies of energy credit transactions, and is a market leader when it comes to state and local (SALT) and federal tax controversies. Our tax lawyers also serve as trusted counsel to high-net worth individuals around the world.
