(December 4, 2006, Washington, D.C.) – LAWFUEL – Law News Network – Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a top international law firm, has announced that Washington attorney Michael C. Durst has joined the Firm’s tax group as Counsel in the Washington office, effective immediately.
Mr. Durst is the former director of the Internal Revenue Service’s Advance Pricing Agreement Program, where he directed a high-profile alternative dispute resolution program in international taxation. He focuses his practice on tax matters, particularly international tax and transfer pricing.
Mark Silverman, head of Steptoe’s Tax Department notes that “Steptoe & Johnson is focused on expanding its worldwide tax practice with highly qualified professionals like Mike Durst. “
“Mike is a widely recognized expert in the field of international taxation, particularly in the area of transfer pricing,” said Philip R. West, head of Steptoe’s international tax practice. “He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in this specialization to our clients and to his professional colleagues. His skills are well aligned with Steptoe’s strong international capabilities and our growing global client base.”
Mr. Durst has most recently held a leadership role as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and was a partner in another Washington law firm where he focused on international tax, transfer pricing and tax-related controversies.
“I feel very lucky to be practicing with the attorneys at Steptoe. This is a firm known for the very best in quality, devotion to clients, and leadership in the legal profession and in the community. I have long been familiar with Steptoe’s strong relationships with an outstanding group of multinational clients,” said Mr. Durst. “I look forward to contributing to the firm’s work on international tax and transfer pricing for these corporations, which is of growing importance as a result of increased enforcement both in the US and abroad of transfer pricing techniques and the thoroughly global nature of nearly all business activity. I also expect to actively contribute to policy discussions in the area of international taxation, particularly transfer pricing.”
A 1985 LL.M. graduate of Harvard Law School and a 1981 J.D. graduate of the University of California Berkeley, as well as the recipient of a Masters Degree in Economics from MIT in 1978, Mr. Durst has served on the faculties of Harvard Law School, Notre Dame Law School, Northwestern University Law School and Georgetown University Law School. He has received significant professional recognition for his tax practice achievements, including publishing and lecturing on tax topics for national and international audiences.
Mr. Durst received the Chief Counsel’s Award and Assistant Commissioner’s International Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Tax Administration. He has in prior legal practice been listed in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA, and has recently been identified in Euromoney’s
“Expert Guides” as one of the leading tax practitioners in the world.
About Steptoe & Johnson
With more than 400 attorneys, Steptoe & Johnson LLP provides counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields. In more than 50 years of
practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has offices in Washington, New York, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, London, and Brussels.
