The US Law Firm Newswire - Reed Smith, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, today announced the addition of Michael J. Wynne as a partner in the firm’s State Tax Practice in the Chicago office, effective November 19.

“Michael’s arrival at Reed Smith will greatly enhance our tax capabilities in Chicago and firmwide,” said Michael A. LoVallo, the firm’s Chicago Managing Partner. His many years of experience especially in Illinois tax practice will broaden our expertise in state tax litigation matters.”

Mr. Wynne brings 23 years of experience in state and local tax litigation, planning, policy and regulatory matters. His private practice background includes service as a partner in the law firms of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, and Baker & McKenzie LLP, in each instance leading that firm’s state and local tax practice. Mr. Wynne also served as partner in charge of the Midwest state and local tax services group for the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

According to Lee A. Zoeller, firmwide chair of Reed Smith’s State Tax Practice, “Our State Tax Practice is already among the top five in the country. The addition of Michael moves us closer to our objective of building a state tax practice which provides our clients with the best legal representation in all major jurisdictions. Mike is one of the best state tax lawyers in Illinois and we are looking forward to having him on our team. With over 20 lawyers from coast to coast we can provide state tax representation wherever it is needed.”

A significant part of Mr. Wynne’s experience was gained in government service. He served as General Counsel to the Illinois Department of Revenue, leading the Department’s regulatory, legislative support, and adjudicative functions. He also served as Acting Chief, and previously Deputy Chief, of the Illinois Attorney General’s Revenue Litigation Division, where he participated as, and supervised, trial and appellate counsel for the State in all tax and revenue-related matters.

“A successful multistate tax controversy practice applies intimate knowledge of a particular jurisdiction’s law and its tax administration to the client’s issues, and does so with consistent high quality throughout the country.” said Mr. Wynne. “Reed Smith is building a State Tax Practice that makes that possible and is therefore capable of delivering outstanding results for its clients. I am delighted that I will get to work with other Reed Smith partners who have experiences similar to mine in other major states. I will continue to work in other states, but obviously the greatest contribution to the Reed Smith State Tax Practice will come from building on my long experience and significant work in Illinois.”

Mr. Wynne is a 1984 graduate of the John Marshall Law School and a 1981 graduate of Southern Illinois University. He has served on the Advisory Committee of the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois, the Tax Committee of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, and the State and Local Tax Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. He is also a former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s State and Local Tax Committee and a frequent national speaker and author on tax policy matters.

Since the merger of Reed Smith with Sachnoff & Weaver this past March, 19 lawyers have joined in the Chicago office. The Chicago office is well known for its litigation capabilities, especially in the areas of IP, Financial Services and Insurance Recovery. The office has one of the most sophisticated policyholder practices in the country particularly especially in the area of D&O liability issues. On the corporate side, in Chicago, the firm has a strong private equity practice, lending and real estate practice, and bankruptcy capabilities.

About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com

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