Lisa Barnett is an associate in our firm. Ms. Barnett’s practice focuses mainly in the areas of Federal and State tax controversy, tax planning, international taxation, and criminal tax defense. She has representative experience defending individuals before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Employment Development Division (EDD), and the State Board of Equalization (SBOE).     

In her time with the firm, Ms. Barnett has handled numerous civil tax audits before the IRS and the EDD. Ms. Barnett was also the lead associate attorney in the successful defense of a tax preparer who was threatened with over twenty five counts of tax fraud and aiding and abetting in the filing of a fraudulent tax return. Ms. Barnett also has a commitment to pro-bono practice and has voluntarily assisted low income taxpayers through her work with the Federal and State Tax Clinics at the University of San Diego. Prior to joining RJS Law, Ms. Barnett clerked extensively in the area of securities law and assisted in many private real estate security offerings throughout the United States. Before deciding to practice law, Ms. Barnett also worked in banking with time spent at Wells Fargo and Pro-Credit Bank in Managua, Nicaragua.  

Ms. Barnett received her Juris Doctorate and her Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of San Diego. She also graduated cum laude with her B.A. in English and a double minor in History and Political Science from Chapman University.  While at Chapman University, Ms. Barnett served as President and Founding Member of Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law society.   Outside of her professional obligations, Ms. Barnett serves as treasurer and an executive board member for The Jarrett Meeker Foundation, which raises funds and support for conservational and educational programs to benefit local disadvantaged children. 

Ms. Barnett is fluent in Spanish. 

Practice Areas:

• Tax Controversy
• Tax Planning
• International Taxation
• Criminal Tax Defense

Professional Affiliations:

• San Diego County Bar Association, Taxation Section
• American Bar Association, Taxation Section
• California Bar Association

Admitted to Practice before the following Courts:

• United States Tax Court
• United States District Court for the Southern District of California
• Supreme Court of California