Explore every episode of the podcast People in Tax Podcast

Brandon King discusses his path from a reluctant 1L to a nationally recognized renewable energy tax attorney, tracing his journey through a US Tax Court clerkship, cross-border controversy work, and a pivot to transactional practice during the Inflation Reduction Act. He reflects on the mission-driven nature of renewable energy tax work, the industry's resilience amid policy shifts, AI as a complement rather than a replacement for junior talent, and his decade of leadership within the ABA Tax Section, including founding the LGBTQ+ Lawyers in Tax Forum.

Chuck Levin discusses his journey from aspiring lawyer and CPA to a nationally recognized tax attorney, educator, and co-creator of the Tax Planning Forum. He emphasizes making complex tax concepts practical and engaging, mentoring younger professionals, building strong relationships, and using AI as a helpful starting point rather than a replacement for professional judgment.

Matthew Rappaport discusses his career as a tax attorney focused on real estate, emphasizing the value of being a versatile practitioner who combines deep technical tax knowledge with practical business judgment. He also shares lessons from building his own law firm, stressing that successful tax lawyers should think like entrepreneurs, communicate complex issues in plain language, and help clients understand and weigh risk rather than simply avoid it.

In this episode, host Crist and Andrew discuss staying curious, SALT, and getting involved in the Tax Section. From renewable energy to tribal clinics, to affordable housing, examine Andrew's extensive background and passion for tax.

In this episode, host Dan Keller and Professor Jeremy Bearer-Friend discuss the role of AI in tax and IP, tax rates, becoming a tax professor, wealth inequity, and living on a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm.

In Season 7, Episode 3, hear from the Tax Section's Membership, Diversity, & Inclusion Chair extraordinaire, Melissa Wiley. From her roots in actuarial science to 'growing up' in the Section, experience Melissa's journey through tax and the ABA.

We're back for a new season of People in Tax! Get to know three of our new interview hosts, Bela Unell, Priscilla Parrett, and Dan Keller.

Meet the second half of our hosts, hear about their tax journeys, what they love about tax, and their thoughts on AI.

We're back for a new season of People in Tax! Get to know three of our new interview hosts, Alexander Powell, Crist Malekyan, and Michael Romero in the first episode.

Hear their career journeys, what the ABA Tax Section has meant to them, and some of their hopes for the upcoming season.

In S06E13, Bela Unell and Scott Levine continue their discussion of his time at the IRS, the relationship between the government and the Tax Section, and the role of diversity in tax practice. (Part 2 of 2).

In S06E12, Bela Unell and Scott Levine discuss his varied career, including his teaching career and work at the Treasury Department. (Part 1 of 2).

In S06E11, Bela Unell and Devon Bodoh discuss his road to tax, and his experience in the occasionally chaotic world of international tax practice.

In S06E10, Bela Unell and Professor Roberta Mann discuss getting jobs in tax, her work with the ABA Tax Section Publications, and how she got started with the Tax Section.

In S06E09, Bela Unell and Professor Roberta Mann discuss her early career at IRS Chief Counsel, how her experience on Capitol Hill shaped how she views law today, and her approach to teaching tax.

In S06E08, Bela Unell and Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellow Mohit Mookim discuss working with non-traditional organizations, the origin and work of the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), and changing what movement organizations look like.

In S06E07, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss constructive criticism, advocating for each other at the office, and making tax less scary for the average person. (Part 3 of 3).

In S06E06, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss the role mentorship has played in her career, finding her voice as a practicing attorney, and the responsibility she feels as a Latina in the legal field. (Part 2 of 3).

In S06E05, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss her unexpected road to tax practice, the importance of representation in the legal field, and the scholarship she founded for her alma mater. (Part 1 of 2).

In S06E04, Bela Unell and Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellow Hannah Stephan discuss her background in Finance, her work with Minnesota Legal Aid, and her close ties to her home state.

In S06E03, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jorge Oben discuss his work on the Ways and Means Committee, how his background influences his work experiences, and how he keeps himself moving forward in a challenging world.

In S06E02, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jorge Obén discuss the uniqueness of tax practice in the US, the pitfalls of international tax, and his experience working with the Ways and Means Committee.

In S05E15, William Schmidt and former Christine Brunswick Fellow Shailana Dunn-Wall discuss community education regarding tax, the specifics of LITC works, and the benefits of Tax Section meetings.

In S05E14, William Schmidt and former Christine Brunswick Fellow Shailana Dunn-Wall discuss non-profit tax practice, the challenges facing low-income taxpayers, and the benefits of the Christine Brunswick Fellowship. Part 1 of 2.

In S05E13, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Chardea Murray discuss her mentors, her goals for the Fellowship, and the importance of DEI and outreach. Part 2 of 2.

In S05E12, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Chardea Murray discuss her path to law and tax, getting involved in Pro Bono and LITC work, and her early career at the IRS. Part 1 of 2.

In S05E11, Gina Ahn and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jamal Aquil discuss the specifics of the Argrett Fellowship, his path to tax practice, the challenges and obstacles he encountered along the way, and the role of the KPMG Washington National Tax Office in DC.

In S05E10, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow, Alice Thomas, discuss giving back to the community, her approach to preparing law students for practice, and the Loretta Collins Argrett Fellowship. Part 3 of 3.

In S05E09, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Alice Thomas discuss her family history, her experiences as a black student, and the role both played in bringing her to Howard. Part 2 of 3.

In S05E08, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow, Alice Thomas, discuss getting involved in non-profit work, her path to teaching tax law, and how important tax law really is. Part 1 of 3.

In S05E07, Bela Unell and Karen Lapekas discuss LLMs and litigation, litigation in practice, and mentorship in the tax law community.

In S05E02, William Schmidt and Judge Eunkyong Choi discuss working in Low Income Taxpayer Clinics on tax controversy cases, her family's immigration to the United States from Korea, being the Taxpayer Advocate in the New York City Department of Finance, and regional tax issues such as dealing with different state tax departments. (Part 1 of 2)

In S04E10, in part 2 of 2, Bela Unell and Marie Milnes-Vasquez continue their discussion on becoming an accidental lawyer, opening up more areas of opportunity to people with different backgrounds, and the 'special sauce' that creates a transactional tax attorney.

In S04E07, Gina Ahn and Janice Shih discuss the challenges and rewards of volunteering with Low-Income Tax Clinics, the surprises of tax practice, and how remote work in the pandemic has actually helped Low-Income Tax Clinics connect to a larger area of clientele.

In S04E06, William Schmidt and Samantha Galvin discuss the transition from student to teacher at the University of Denver, teaching in a tax clinic, effects on the clinic from the pandemic and being active in the American Bar Association Section of Taxation.

In S04E05, William Schmidt and Michael Desmond discuss his time as IRS Chief Counsel, the benefits of public service, and the opportunities available at ABA Tax Section meetings.

In S04E04, Gina Ahn and James Creech discuss the law school to practice transition, solo practice versus working in a larger firm, and embracing the chaos of tax practice.

In S04E02, Bela Unell and William Schmidt discuss his shift in law school from business law to tax law, the low income taxpayer clinic program, and podcasting.

In S04E01, William Schmidt and Gina Ahn discuss her road to tax law, translating tax jargon for clients, and the unexpected nuances in Low Income Tax Clinic practice.

In S03E07, James Creech and Annie Counts discuss practical tax education, interacting with the tax lawyer community, and virtual learning in tax law.