Join Us Friday, July 17, 2026 for the 11th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Institute
A Leading Educational Event for Tax, Accounting, and Business Professionals
“We Bring the Whole Tax Community Together”
USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Institute
The Institute is the premier annual tax event in San Diego. The region’s top tax attorneys, enrolled agents (EAs), certified public accountants (CPAs), law and business school professors will discuss topics including government loan relief and abuses, challenges in cross-border transactions, and practical and realistic solutions in trust, estate planning, and tax matters.
Save the Date
DATE AND TIME
Friday, July 17, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Theatre
5555 Marian Way, San Diego, CA 92110
EVENT STATUS
Open to the Public
Presented By Title Sponsor
The 2026 Tax Institute Agenda
7:30 a.m. – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Introductory Speaker & Opening Remarks – Darren Lian, Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – International “Tax Updates In a Political World”
- Enrique Hernandez-Pulido, Partner, Procopio
- Joshua P. Katz, Tax Attorney, Higgs, Fletcher and Mack
- Moderator: A. Lavar Taylor, Managing Partner, Taylor Nelson Amitrano LLP
10:00am – 10:10am – Break
10:10 a.m. – 11:09 a.m. – Trust & Estate Litigation: “Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity: Ethical Duties, Practical Challenges, and Litigation Risks“
- Danielle P. Barger, Esq., Founding Partner, Barger and Battiest Law, APC
- Kristen Caverly, Partner, Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP
- Shannon N. Taylor, Attorney, Shareholder, Hughes & Pizzuto, APC
- Moderator: Scott Rahn, Esq., Founding Partner, RMO LLP
11:09 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. – Refreshment Break
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – Tax Planning “The ABCs of OB3“
- Bruce C. Wood, CPA/ABV, CVA, MTx, Applied Economics LLC
- Daniel Mayo, JD., LL.M. Partner, Lead for National Tax Services, Withum
- Steven J. Geller, CPA, TEP, Partner Prager Metis CPAS
- Moderator: Kaveh Imandoust, JD., MBT, CPA, RJS LAW
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Luncheon
1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m – Remarks by Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Cryptocurrency “Pitfalls, Planning, and Opportunities”
- Wendy Walker, VP, Regulatory Affairs, Sovos
- Samuel D. Brotman, Esq., Owner and Managing Attorney, Brotman Law
- Alyssa Maloof Watley, Director, Frost Law
- Moderator: Phillip Behrendt, Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
2:45pm – 2:50pm – Break
2:50 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. – Tax Controversy “Writings for the Tax Court”
- Steven L. Jager, CPA, MST, USTCP, Partner, Fineman West & Company, LLP
- Honorable Emin Toro, Judge, United States Tax Court
- Jonathan Amitrano, Esq., LL.M., Managing Partner, Taylor Nelson Amitrano, LLP
- Moderator: Richard Carpenter, Esq., Richard Carpenter Tax Law Office, Adjunct Professor of Law, USD School of Law
3:50 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Criminal Panel: “Criminal Tax Workshop“
- Joseph Orabona, Partner, Glaser, Weil, Fink, Howard, Jordan & Shapiro LLP (former Chief, Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
- Gregory A. Vega, Esq,, Shareholder & Litigation Department Chair, Seltzer, Caplan, McMahon Vitek
- Honorable Allison H. Goddard, Magistrate Judge, Southern District of California
- Moderator: Sandra Brown, Esq., Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.. – Whittier Trust Networking Reception – Hosted Bar and Hors d’Oeuvres, Garden of the Sea
and Presentation of Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award – (Honorable Emin Toro)
The reception is open to all and free of charge, featuring an open bar and exceptional food. This is a unique opportunity to network with some of the nation’s leading tax professionals, including distinguished attorneys, U.S. attorneys, judges, and CPAs. Guests will also join us in celebrating the presentation of the Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in the field. Set against the stunning backdrop of USD’s Garden of the Sea, this spectacular venue provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening of networking and celebration.
Instructions
When you select your ticket pick Whittier Trust Networking Reception Ticket (FREE). USD parking is not included.
Please include that parking is available in the West Parking Structure on Marian Way at the West Entrance. A permit is required 7am-7pm Monday-Friday and they can use the ParkMobile App or the kiosk at the ground level of the structure to pay for parking. The USD Tram runs every 15 min from the West Structure to the Event Venue.
Whittier Trust Networking Reception
CLICK HERE
Silver Sponsors
