On May 30, the newly-formed Philadelphia Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s Section on Taxation will host a meet-and-greet event with the Honorable Mark V. Holmes of the United States Tax Court. The event is free and open to all tax practitioners in the greater Philadelphia area. To RSVP for this event, please email events@foxrothschild.com.

Judge Holmes was appointed to the Tax Court by President George W. Bush in 2003, and was recently re-appointed for a second fifteen-year term. Judge Holmes is a prolific jurist known for delightfully colorful opinions that bring to life often dreary tax concepts. In recent years, he has authored numerous opinions addressing cutting edge tax issues, including his decision last year in Avrahami, the first judicial opinion to tackle the validity of micro-captive insurance arrangements. Judge Holmes also presided over the lengthy trial involving a dispute between the Internal Revenue Service and the estate of pop star Michael Jackson, and practitioners are eagerly awaiting his decision in this closely-watched case. In recent months, Judge Holmes has authored multiple opinions addressing the fallout from the Chai and Graev decisions, which held that IRS supervisory approval is required before penalties may be asserted, including decisions involving the aforementioned Jackson estate as well as pro football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. In another case that is generating significant interest, Judge Holmes is set to rule on the application of Internal Revenue Code section 280E to a marijuana business in Patients Mutual Assistance Collective Corporation.

Established in February 2018, the Philadelphia Chapter is the newest chapter of the Federal Bar Association Section on Taxation. The Philadelphia Chapter is co-chaired by Matthew D. Lee of Fox Rothschild and Kevin M. Johnson of Baker Hostetler.

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