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I pursued a law career because I
relish the challenge of persuasion and advocacy. Advocacy is about
weaving the client's facts and applicable law into a story for the
court. Vigilant attention to themes and effective advocacy and writing
are required to craft a message that resonates with the decision maker.
As the the managing partner for Wease Halloran, I
take responsibility for all aspects of the practice. I represent clients
in all of the firm's legal service areas.
Representative Cases
I have represented clients on a variety of matters including, but not limited to:
- Single Business Tax liability resulting from the sale of a business where the terms included a do not compete clause
- Cigarette taxes subject to Native American tribal treaties
- Liability for Michigan use tax on fine art purchased for the sale at retail in an art gallery
- Michigan Single Business Tax assessments on multi-state franchise transactions
- Represent municipalities before
the Michigan Tax Tribunal and the Michigan Court of Appeals in defending
special assessments
- Represent both taxpayers and
municipalities in real property tax controversies including: office
buildings, medical office buildings, apartment complexes,
condominiums, shopping malls, retail space, gas stations, light and
heavy industrial buildings
- Represent both taxpayers and
municipalities in appeals involving various types of personal
property including: cell phone towers, oil pipelines, and heavy
industrial property.
- Litigate real property tax
exemption cases for several hospitals, healthcare organizations and
nonprofits throughout Michigan
- Federal tax controversies including
audit defense, innocent spouse claims, offers in compromise, and
litigation in the U.S. Tax Court
- Interpreting U.S. Tax Treaties, particularly as they apply to international students and scholars
My Bar and Court Admissions
- Michigan Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- United States Tax Court Bar
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
My Education
- LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, Temple University Beasely School of Law
- Juris Doctor, cum laude, Michigan State University College of Law
- Bachelor of Science, Michigan State University
My Community Interests
I started practicing law as an Equal Justice Works Public Interest Law
Fellow. As a fellow, I supervised and taught law students at the
Michigan State University College of Law Tax Clinic. I
continue to support the MSU Low Income Tax Clinic. Each spring, I
accompany students to New Orleans, where we spend a week providing tax
services to low-income taxpayers. |
