Alex Sadler Joins Tax Controversy and Litigation Group at Ivins, Phillips & Barker

Ivins, Phillips & Barker, Chartered, one of the nation’s premier tax and employee benefits law firms, announced today that Alex E. Sadler, formerly a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, has joined the firm as a partner in the tax controversy and litigation group in Washington, D.C.

“Alex has an extensive background in tax litigation and controversy and is highly respected for his deep expertise in complex matters,” commented Ivins partner, Bob Stack.  “Ivins has a long history as one of the nation’s leading tax litigation firms, including representing taxpayers in four Supreme Court cases.  Alex is a splendid addition to our expanding litigation and controversy team.”  As to why he chose Ivins, Alex explained, “Ivins, Phillips & Barker is a premier law firm with a long tradition of excellence in all facets of tax law.  Its lawyers are widely regarded as among the best in the nation, serving a broad and sophisticated client base on complex and high-stakes tax issues.”  He continued, “I am honored to join this elite group of tax lawyers and to become a part of the firm’s first-class tax litigation and controversy practice.”

Mr. Sadler specializes in tax controversies and litigation, with a particular expertise in the research and development tax credit available under section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code, frequently referred to as the R&D tax credit or research credit.  This credit is a valuable incentive introduced by Congress to encourage research and development activity by U.S. taxpayers, and Mr. Sadler has successfully represented numerous clients in IRS audits and appeals and various stages of litigation in cases pertaining to the research credit.  As a result of client opinions of his work, Mr. Sadler was ranked in Chambers USA 2010 and Chambers USA 2011.

Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Mr. Sadler was with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was a trial attorney from 1997 to 2002.  While there he represented the federal government in numerous tax litigation matters, including three multi-week leveraged corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) tax shelter trials.  Also during this time, Mr. Sadler was awarded The Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award for trial work and the Tax Division’s Outstanding Attorney Special Commendation for quality of work, dedication and results.  His specialty areas while with the Tax Division included COLI, economic substance, employment taxes, penalties, and tax practice and procedure.

Mr. Sadler is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was Articles Editor on the Virginia Tax Review.  After graduating, he clerked for Judge John A. Mackenzie on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and then began his professional career as a litigation associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, D.C.

Ivins, Phillips & Barker, Chartered, is a specialty law firm devoted exclusively to tax and employee benefits, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.  Ivins specializes in representing Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients in tax and employee benefits matters.  For more information about Ivins, please visit our website at www.ipbtax.com.