Tax Attorney

Barmont; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 210,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus potential

Job summary

Lerch Early & Brewer seeks a partner-level Tax Attorney to join its Corporate practice in Bethesda, Maryland. This role offers an entrepreneurial opportunity within a collaborative team serving closely held businesses, owners, families, nonprofits, and high-net-worth individuals in the Washington metro region.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in complex tax and business matters, with opportunities to collaborate across the firm and deepen client relationships through

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in Maryland and D.C., or the ability to obtain admission promptly.
• Significant law firm experience in business law and taxation.
• Proven experience advising closely held businesses and business owners.
• Experience with sophisticated tax planning and tax controversy matters.
• Strong business development skills and an established professional network.
• Portable book of business preferred.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, negotiation, and client counseling skills.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executives, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.

Responsibilities

• Advise closely held businesses, business owners, executives, and investors on corporate, partnership, LLC, and tax matters.
• Structure, negotiate, and support business formations, reorganizations, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures.
• Counsel clients on business succession planning and ownership transitions.
• Draft and negotiate operating agreements, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, and other complex business contracts.
• Advise nonprofit organizations on formation, governance, tax‑exempt status, and compliance.
• Provide federal, state, and local tax planning guidance to businesses and individuals.
• Represent clients in tax controversies before the IRS and state and local taxing authorities.
• Collaborate with estate planning attorneys on tax‑efficient wealth transfer, business succession, and family‑business planning strategies.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while contributing to the continued growth of the Corporate practice.

Skills

Business development

Client counseling

Analytical skills

Drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Counseling executives

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

LL.M. in Taxation strongly preferred

Job description

Lerch, Early & Brewer is seeking an accomplished partner-level Tax Attorney to join its Corporate practice in Bethesda, Maryland.

This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial attorney to build and grow a practice within a collaborative Corporate group that serves closely held businesses, business owners, family enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals throughout the Washington metropolitan region.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience advising clients on complex tax and business matters and will be interested in collaborating with attorneys across the firm. Lerch Early offers a substantial existing client base, a strong referral culture, and meaningful opportunities to deepen relationships with existing clients while building new ones through cross-disciplinary work.

Lateral attorneys are drawn to Lerch Early because of the combination of sophisticated work, strong client relationships, and a culture that values collegiality, accountability, and long-term professional success.

Responsibilities

• Advise closely held businesses, business owners, executives, and investors on corporate, partnership, LLC, and tax matters.
• Structure, negotiate, and support business formations, reorganizations, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures.
• Counsel clients on business succession planning and ownership transitions.
• Draft and negotiate operating agreements, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, and other complex business contracts.
• Advise nonprofit organizations on formation, governance, tax‑exempt status, and compliance.
• Provide federal, state, and local tax planning guidance to businesses and individuals.
• Represent clients in tax controversies before the IRS and state and local taxing authorities.
• Collaborate with estate planning attorneys on tax‑efficient wealth transfer, business succession, and family‑business planning strategies.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while contributing to the continued growth of the Corporate practice.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in Maryland and D.C., or the ability to obtain admission promptly.
• Significant law firm experience in business law and taxation.
• Proven experience advising closely held businesses and business owners.
• Experience with sophisticated tax planning and tax controversy matters.
• Strong business development skills and an established professional network.
• Portable book of business preferred.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, negotiation, and client counseling skills.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executives, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M. in Taxation strongly preferred.
• CPA credential, accounting background, or substantial tax controversy experience is a plus.
• Experience representing nonprofit organizations and family‑owned businesses.
• Track record of thought leadership, community involvement, and professional leadership.

About Lerch, Early & Brewer

Lerch Early is one of the leading law firms in the Washington metropolitan area, serving businesses, nonprofit organizations, real estate developers, financial institutions, and individuals. We provide sophisticated legal counsel while maintaining a collegial, collaborative culture that supports professional growth and client success. For additional information about our Corporate practice, please visit: https://www.lerchearly.com/services/corporate-tax/.

Benefits

• Lerch Early offers a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a 401(k) plan.
• The base salary for this position is $225,000 per year (commensurate with experience), with the potential for bonuses.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We hire attorneys and staff with a wide variety of backgrounds and capabilities.

Help Us Learn About You

We encourage applicants to include a cover letter highlighting their relevant experience and interest in working at Lerch Early. We want to learn about you, so please share the information you believe distinguishes you from other candidates.