Tax Controversy Attorney

The Law Office of Elizabeth Gonsalves; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Law Office of Elizabeth Gonsalves, a boutique tax controversy practice based in West Los Angeles, is seeking an experienced tax controversy attorney to join the team and handle a meaningful caseload of complex tax matters.

You will work directly with Elizabeth Gonsalves, Esq., engaging with clients and the IRS/FTB, handling audits, offers in compromise, tax liens, and U.S. Tax Court matters, with high-stakes disputes and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Active California State Bar member or eligibility to obtain admission
• 5-8+ years of experience in tax controversy, tax litigation, or related
• Strong knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, and IRS procedures
• Experience representing clients before the IRS, California FTB, or U.S. Tax Court
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters independently while collaborating effectively
• LL.M. in Taxation (preferred)

Responsibilities

• IRS audit defense and examination representation
• Offers in compromise for high-dollar liabilities
• Tax lien resolution and bank levy release
• Payroll tax disputes and trust fund recovery penalty defense
• Penalty abatement requests
• California Franchise Tax Board disputes
• U.S. Tax Court representation
• Criminal tax investigation defense

Job description

Location: Los Angeles, CA (11500 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064) Experience: 3-7+ years in tax controversy or tax litigation Bar Admission: California (or willingness to obtain)

About the Firm

The Law Office of Elizabeth Gonsalves is a boutique tax controversy practice founded in 2011 and based in West Los Angeles. We are not a volume shop. We do not employ sales consultants or operate call centers. Every client works directly with an attorney from the first conversation through resolution.

Our clients are ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and corporate entities facing complex federal and state tax disputes. The matters we handle routinely involve tax liabilities exceeding $3 million, and often reach into the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars. This is sophisticated, high-stakes work that demands precision, strategic thinking, and sound judgment at every stage.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced tax controversy attorney to join our practice and handle a meaningful caseload of complex tax matters. You will work closely with founding attorney Elizabeth Gonsalves, Esq., contributing to case strategy and client representation across a range of federal and California state tax disputes.

Day to day, your work will span the full scope of our practice areas, including:

• IRS audit defense and examination representation
• Offers in compromise for high-dollar liabilities
• Tax lien resolution and bank levy release
• Payroll tax disputes and trust fund recovery penalty defense
• Penalty abatement requests
• California Franchise Tax Board disputes
• U.S. Tax Court representation
• Criminal tax investigation defense

This is not a position where you will be buried in a back office reviewing documents. You will engage directly with clients, correspond with the IRS and FTB, develop case strategy, and see matters through to resolution. In a firm of this size, your contributions will be visible and your impact will be real.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Active membership in the California State Bar (or eligibility and willingness to obtain admission)
• 5-8+ years of experience in tax controversy, tax litigation, or a closely related practice area
• Strong knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, and IRS administrative procedures
• Experience representing clients before the IRS, California FTB, or U.S. Tax Court
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters independently while collaborating effectively
• Authorization to practice before the IRS under Circular 230 (preferred)
• LL.M. in Taxation (preferred but not required)

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on high-caliber, complex tax matters that most attorneys never see
• Direct mentorship and collaboration with the founding attorney
• A practice environment that values depth, quality, and client relationships over volume
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• A collegial, small-firm culture where your work and ideas matter
• Salary will range $150-200k