Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced that tax controversy lawyer Robert J. Kovacev has joined as a partner in its Washington, DC and San Francisco offices. He comes to Norton Rose Fulbright from Steptoe & Johnson.
Kovacev has more than 20 years of experience litigating cases in the United States Tax Court and in federal district and appellate courts. He combines substantive tax knowledge with extensive first-chair trial experience.
Kovacev focuses his practice on tax disputes before the IRS and in trial and appellate courts across the US. His experience includes tax and transfer pricing controversies, tax incentives, such as the research tax credit and alternative energy tax credits, and the economic substance doctrine and related judicial doctrines.
Kovacev also advises established and start-up companies about research tax credits and other innovation tax incentives and is a leader in the emerging field of taxation of robotics and artificial intelligence. He is a recipient of the John Marshall Award, the Department of Justice’s highest honor for trial litigation.
Prior to entering private practice, Kovacev served in the US Department of Justice’s Tax Division, where he was lead trial counsel for the IRS in some of the largest and most complex civil tax cases in the US.
Daryl Lansdale, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Managing Partner, said:
“Robert wins complicated tax cases, and his mastery over both domestic and international tax controversies will be highly appealing to our global clients. His arrival enhances our already strong tax practice in the US and around the world.”
Gene Lewis, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Head of Business Practice, commented:
“Robert brings a valuable perspective to our clients with his experience representing both the IRS and private parties in federal tax disputes. He is highly regarded in this field and deepens Norton Rose Fulbright’s robust tax controversy practice.”
Kovacev, who clerked for the Honorable M. Blane Michael on the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, said:
“Norton Rose Fulbright’s global reach presents an incredible opportunity for me to expand my practice across the financial institutions, energy, technology and healthcare sectors. My clients will benefit from the firm’s 200 talented tax lawyers on five continents.”
Kovacev received his JD from Columbia Law School and his BA from Harvard. He is admitted to the bar in California, the District of Columbia, the US Tax Court and the US Supreme Court.
Source: www.nortonrosefulbright.com
