Palo Alto, CA, April 22, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – B…

Palo Alto, CA, April 22, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Baker & McKenzie LLP announced today that tax controversies lawyer Beth Williams has joined the Firm as a partner in its Palo Alto office.

She joins 120 tax lawyers in Baker & McKenzie’s North American Tax Practice, and a worldwide team of more than 550 tax lawyers, economists and financial analysts – one of the largest tax groups of any law firm in the world.

Williams’ experience in the tax controversy and transfer pricing arenas spans more than 25 years. She served over 20 years in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Counsel’s office in San Francisco and Chicago, and was an International Special Trial Attorney for 13 years. As an International Special Trial Attorney, she gained experience as the Government’s lead attorney in many cases involving U.S. and foreign multinational corporations, litigating large corporate, international and domestic tax issues before the U.S. Tax Court. Most recently, Williams practiced for six years at a Big Four accounting firm where she advised clients on tax controversies, and represented clients before the IRS, including advice on strategy, substantive international and domestic tax issues arising in tax controversies.

John Peterson, Global Chair of Baker & McKenzie’s Tax Practice Group and partner in the Palo Alto office said, “We are delighted that Beth has chosen to join our expanding tax controversy and transfer pricing practices. Her expertise and prominence are a welcome addition to our team.”

Williams has considerable experience in advising clients on transfer pricing matters, including cost-sharing arrangements. She has experience covering a broad array of international tax issues, including FSC/ETI, income sourcing, allocation and apportionment of expenses, debt-equity issues, withholding tax, treaty issues, and section 936 issues. She also has extensive experience handling controversies for domestic tax issues, including the research credit, deferred compensation, and accounting method issues. She has counseled clients on a variety of alternative dispute resolution techniques, including competent authority negotiations and pre-filing agreements.

David Hackett, Baker & McKenzie LLP’s North American Managing Partner said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Beth to our Firm. Her talents will enhance our regional and global tax practices, a core segment of our business, and further our commitment to provide cutting-edge, innovative solutions to our clients worldwide.”

The October 2004 International Tax Review named Ms. Williams a leading advisor in the San Francisco Bay Area in the area of transfer pricing. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and her B.A. summa cum laude at Ohio State University in 1972.

Commenting on her new position, Ms. Williams said, “Baker has a terrific reputation both in tax dispute resolution and international tax generally. I am thrilled to work with their multinational clients and global network of tax practitioners around the world.”

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