“Laura is a seasoned, first-chair trial lawyer who brings extensive experience and a sterling reputation representing clients in some of the largest white-collar criminal tax evasion cases ever brought in the U.S.,” said John Baron, Alston & Bird partner and head of its Federal & International Tax Group. “As we continue to grow our tax practice as one of the largest and most respected among U.S. law firms, Laura’s addition further positions us as a top destination for sensitive and bet-the-company tax litigation.”
Focusing her practice on the business dealings and asset holdings of U.S. taxpayers abroad, Gavioli has litigated numerous tax cases in federal district courts and U.S. Tax Court addressing complex questions of jurisdiction, deference, and privilege. She has also advocated for multinational enterprises, relying on plain-language readings of taxation statutes to combat unjustified IRS positions, including those taken in regulations under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Among her prior engagements, she successfully defended a U.S. taxpayer in a series of multimillion-dollar tax refund cases, which resulted in a written apology from the IRS.
“The recent tax law changes have created considerable challenges and uncertainty for U.S. businesses and other taxpayers,” said James Sullivan, partner in charge of Alston & Bird’s New York office and member of the firm’s Partners Committee. “We anticipate that many of the law’s new provisions will lead to more audits, appeals, and litigation, and we see clients benefiting enormously from Laura’s sophisticated tax dispute resolution practice and reputation for relentless client service.”
Before private practice, Gavioli clerked for the Hon. Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She earned her undergraduate degree from Haverford College and her law degree from Tulane University.
Gavioli is the most recent partner to join Alston & Bird’s growing tax practice. She follows Shawna Tunnell, who joined the firm in April 2020, and Richard Slowinski, who arrived in October 2019.
