Our 9th Annual
USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Institute was on, Friday July 19, 2024
“We Bring the Whole Tax Community Together”
A Leading Educational Event for Tax and Business Professionals
We are excited to have Ms. Priscilla Presley as our Evening Reception Keynote Speaker
The Institute is one of the best tax events in the nation held annually 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 International Tax, Trust, Estate Planning, and Tax matters.
The 2024 Institute Agenda
7:30 a.m. – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Morning Speaker & Opening Remarks – Mary Hammond, Executive Director, Advanced Analytics & Innovation, IRS Criminal Investigation
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Investment and Business in Dubai and Other Emerging Countries
- John Forry, Esq., Of Counsel, RJS LAW
- A. Lavar Taylor, Esq., Principal at Taylor Nelson Amitrano LLP
- Raul Villarreal Garza, Esq., Partner, Procopio
- Moderator: Andrea Cisneros Valdez, Esq., LL.M., Of Counsel, RJS LAW
10:00am – 10:10am – Break
10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. – Guardians of Legacy: Trust & Estate Experts Unleashing Wisdom & Resolving Battles
- Matt Owens, Esq., Partner at Sheppard Mullin
- James J. Brown, Esq., Partner at Goodwin Brown Gross & Lovelace, LLP
- Lauriann Wright, Esq., Wright Kim Douglas
- Scott Rahn, Esq., Founding Partner, RMO LLP
- Moderator: Brian Malloy, Esq., Of Counsel, RJS LAW
11:10 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. – Refreshment Break
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – 2024 Tax Planning. Plan The Work and Work The Plan
- Steven L. Jager, CPA, MST, USTCP, Partner Fineman West & Company LLP
- Laura Stees, CPA – Stees, Walker & Company
- Sally Reddy, J.D., LL.M., Managing Attorney, Dallo Law Group
- Mark Morris, Esq.., LL.M., AEP, Senior Tax Counsel, LevitZacks
- Moderator: Sam Imandoust, Esq., Of Counsel, RJS LAW
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Luncheon – Keynote Speaker: Sandra R. Brown, Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C. & Presentation of Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award – Sandra R. Brown, Esq., Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m – Remarks by Jordan Z. Marks, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, County of San Diego
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – ERC: The Aftermath of the Employee Retention Tax Credits
- Daniel Mayo, J.D., LLM, Partner, Withum
- Devon Arabo, Of Counsel, RJS LAW
- Jose Gonzalez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge – Branch A Criminal Investigation, Internal Revenue Service
- Charles P. Rettig, Esq., Chamberlain Hrdlicka (former IRS Commissioner)
- Moderator: Michael Dallo, CPA, J.D. LL.M., Founder, Dallo Law Group, Adjunct Professor, USD School of Law and School of Business
2:45pm – 2:50pm – Break
2:50 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. – The Nuts And Bolts Of Taking A Tax Case To Trial In the U.S. Tax Court
- Lisa Nelson, Esq., LL.M., Partner, Taylor Nelson Amitrano LLP
- Chad Nardiello, Esq., Principal at Nardiello, Turanchik, Tomkins LLP
- Honorable Emin Toro, Judge, United States Tax Court
- Joseph A. Broyles, Esq., CPA, The Law Offices of Joseph A. Broyles, Inc.
- 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. – Resolving a Criminal Tax Matter, Criminal Investigations, Plea Deals, & Sentencing
- Caroline D. Ciraolo, Esq., Partner, Kostelanetz LLP
- Honorable Larry Alan Burns, Retired, JD, Mediation and Arbitration, Judicate West
- Sandra R. Brown, Esq., Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
- Moderator: Charles P. Rettig, Esq., Chamberlain Hrdlicka (former IRS Commissioner)
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Evening Keynote Reception Speaker and fireside chat with Ms. Priscilla Presley – Hosted Bar and Hors d’Oeuvres at the beautiful Garden of the Sea
Continuing Education
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider. RJS LAW is a registered Continuing Education provider with the IRS.
2024 Recipient of the Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award
Sandra R. Brown, Esq.,
Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
We are delighted to present the Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award to Sandra R. Brown. Sandra epitomizes the essence of this accolade, which recognizes individuals who personify honesty, integrity, ethics, and compassion throughout their career in tax law. Not only is Sandra an exceptional attorney, but she also dedicates countless hours to serving her community. Her presence at tax events is ubiquitous, where she graces the stage, imparting her knowledge and insights to the audience. Sandra’s compassion shines through in her genuine care for her clients and the wider tax community.
Among her many achievements, Sandra has been honored with the prestigious Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Chief’s Award and the IRS’s Mitchell Rogovin National Outstanding Support of the Office of Chief Counsel Award. These accolades stand as testament to her outstanding contributions to both the criminal and civil aspects of taxation, recognized by the highest authorities within the IRS and the Department of Justice.
Sandra’s influence extends far beyond accolades and awards. She has made significant contributions to the field through her writings, lectures, and teachings, educating federal prosecutors, agents, and private practitioners across the nation on various topics including trial strategies, taxation, bankruptcy, and money laundering. Her breadth of expertise and experience in litigation and management make her a sought-after speaker at national and regional professional gatherings, further cementing her status as a leading authority in the field of taxation.
Biography
Sandra R. Brown is a principal of the law firm Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, P.C., where she specializes in criminal tax investigations, grand jury matters, litigation and appeals, as well as representing and advising taxpayers involved in complex and sophisticated civil tax controversies, including sensitive-issue audits and administrative appeals, as well as civil litigation in federal, state and tax court.
Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Brown served as the Acting United States Attorney, First Assistant United States Attorney, and Chief of the Tax Division in the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Central District of California. During her 27 years as a trial lawyer, she personally handled over 2,000 tax cases on behalf of the United States before the United States District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Bankruptcy Court, the United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, and the California Superior Court. Included in those cases are two U.S. Supreme Court decisions and a multitude of published 9th Circuit decisions.
Ms. Brown obtained her LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Denver, is a fellow of the American College of Tax counsel, Vice-Chair of the ABA’s Section of Taxation’s Criminal and Civil Tax Penalties Committee, Co-Chair of the NYU Institute on Federal Taxation, Tax Controversies Section, and Co-Chair of the UCLA Tax Controversy Institute, and is a frequent lecturer and author on tax controversy topics, including international compliance matters.
Ms. Brown has given so much to the legal community and is truly deserving of this great award.
Evening Keynote Reception Speaker
Priscilla Presley
A Biography
Priscilla Presley became an instant audience favorite portraying Jenna Wade on Dallas, the most successful evening “soap-opera” style television drama of its time. During her five years on the series, she generated mass audience appeal, becoming one of the show’s most popular leading ladies. Priscilla then displayed her comedic talents in the box office smash The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, reprising her role in The Naked Gun 2½ and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
In 1979, Priscilla became co-executor of the Presley Estate and has since brought the Presley Estate from a burgeoning entity into a phenomenally successful organization consisting of the famous Graceland Mansion, a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television and video projects. In 2005, EPE (Elvis Presley Enterprises) partnered with Bob Sillerman and CKX Entertainment to build and extend the Graceland brand worldwide. Priscilla sat on the CKX Board as a director. With that relationship dissolving in 2013, the company now partners with private company ABG (Authentic Brand Group) to help with the expansion of Elvis’ popularity globally.
Priscilla continues to be a steward of the Elvis Presley legacy. She served as an executive producer and was closely involved in the creation and development of two No. 1 Elvis Presley albums (If I Can Dream & The Wonder of You) and a sold-out UK & European live concert arena tour. In keeping with Priscilla’s passion for revitalizing Elvis’s hometown, she actively oversaw the design elements for The Guest House at Graceland, a new hotel which opened in Memphis in Fall 2016. The property marked the largest hotel project in Memphis in nearly 100 years and it’s helped infuse additional economic prosperity in the city as well as offer a new cultural experience for its visitors.
Born in New York, her father’s career as an Air Force officer enabled the family to travel extensively. She attended high school in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where she met her future husband, Elvis Presley. Although Priscilla and Elvis divorced in 1973, they remained very close until the time of his death.
For 25 years Priscilla has continued to serve as Ambassador to Dream Foundation, the only charity that grants final wishes to terminally ill adults. She served as an Executive Producer on the Sony/Neflix animated series Agent King, fulfilling the dream of Elvis always wanting to be a Federal secret agent.
2024 Sponsorship Levels
We invite you to partner and grow with USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Institute by becoming a sponsor. Your sponsorship is the most effective way to demonstrate your support of the Institute while ensuring maximum exposure for your organization. In addition to being a great marketing opportunity, all money raised will go to support USD’s philanthropy, community outreach, and low-income legal clinics that benefit the San Diego community. It is a wonderful chance to support the leaders of tomorrow as well as those in need of legal assistance who cannot afford it.
To learn more about becoming a sponsor, please contact:
Jeanette Nichols Associate Director Law Development, USD School of Law (619) 260-7554 | [email protected]
RJS LAW Team
Sharyn M. Fisk The 2023 Recipient of the Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award
