Skilled Tax Litigator Joins Latham & Watkins in Washington, D.C.

Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Steven Johnson has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Tax Controversy Practice. An experienced trial lawyer and former US Department of Justice Tax Division attorney, Johnson advises clients on high-stakes tax controversies and litigation matters, including federal tax litigation, IRS examinations, and administrative appeals.

“Steve is an outstanding tax litigator whose addition reflects the continued growth of our capabilities in Washington and enhances our ability to help clients navigate their most consequential tax disputes,” said Mandy Reeves, Managing Partner of Latham’s Washington, D.C. office. “His particular skill in employment and payroll tax matters bolsters our tax controversy offering, and we are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

Johnson’s practice spans a broad range of federal tax disputes, including payroll and employment tax controversies, IRS administrative procedures, audit defense, and litigation. He has taught tax procedure as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center since 2015.

“Steve’s extensive trial experience at the DOJ, coupled with his sophisticated understanding of IRS administrative processes, will be invaluable to our clients,” said Brian McManus, Global Chair of Latham’s Tax Controversy Practice. “His arrival further strengthens our ability to advise clients across the tax controversy life cycle, from examination and administrative appeals to litigation.”

“Clients today face increasingly complex tax disputes, often involving significant financial and operational consequences,” said Johnson. “Latham’s leading Tax Controversy Practice, breadth of expertise across practices, and global platform position the firm exceptionally well to help clients navigate those challenges, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues on clients’ most important matters.”

Johnson joins Latham from Morgan Lewis. He received his BS, summa cum laude, from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; his JD, cum laude, from Tulane University Law School; and his LLM from Georgetown University Law Center. Johnson clerked for Judge Tucker L. Melancon of the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.