Michael J. "Mike" Desmond

Michael J. "Mike" Desmond


Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Recognized since 2012

Los Angeles, California

Practice Areas

Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Tax Law

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax
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After serving as a law clerk for a Federal judge in Los Angeles, Mike began his career in tax controversy as a Trial Attorney with the Attorney General’s Honors Program at the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. After the Justice Department, Mike worked at a boutique tax firm in Washington, D.C., where he was elected partner in 2004. In this capacity he represented clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to partnerships and individuals. Mike returned to government in 2005, serving as Tax Legislative Counsel in the U.S. Department of Treasury through 2008. As Tax Legislative Counsel, Mike was the Department’s senior legal advisor on domestic tax issues, testifying before Congress and working with senior IRS officials including the IRS Commissioner and Chief Counsel on a broad range of tax policy, legislative and regulatory matters. Following his tenure at the Treasury Department, Mike spent several more years as a partner in a global law firm before starting his own practice in January 2012.

As a sole practitioner with a deep background in all aspects of tax controversy and experience working at the highest levels of the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mike is uniquely positioned to assist clients of all sizes in achieving targeted, cost-effective solutions to federal and state tax disputes. Mike has the background and experience to see any tax dispute through all stages of controversy, ranging from audit through administrative appeals, litigation in the Tax Court or a refund forum, and on to the courts of appeal if necessary.

Location
  • 333 South Grand Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90071-3197
Education
  • Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, J.D., graduated 1994
Bar Admissions
  • California, The State Bar of California
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
Federal Clerkships
  • United States District Court

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Los Angeles (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Tax Law
Special Focus:
  • Tax
Awards:
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Tax (2009-2012)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Tax Controversy (2009-2013)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyer in Tax Law (2012-2014)
  • IRS Commissioner’s Award (2008)
  • IRS Chief Counsel’s Award (2008)
  • Treasury Secretary’s Honor Award (2007)
  • Tax Division Award for Sustained Superior Performance (1998)

Publications

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