Biography
Ms. Atkinson focuses her practice on federal, state, local and international taxation matters with emphasis on tax controversy, employment tax issues and tax-exempt organizations. She also practices entertainment law with a focus on tax issues.
Ms. Atkinson has extensive experience in tax planning and tax litigation. She handles administrative and judicial controversies, which have included favorable resolution of numerous audits, appeals and collections matters. She has testified before Congress and has spoken to numerous groups including CPAs, attorneys, enrolled agents and judges on a wide variety of issues such as offers in compromise, entity formation, sales and use tax, IRS and state collection issues, and 1031 exchanges. Ms. Atkinson has handled cases involving bookkeeper embezzlement and the legal consequences.
In the tax-exempt arena, Ms. Atkinson counsels numerous entities on organizational and operational issues including political, educational and healthcare entities and has successfully resolved tax controversies involving tax exemption qualification.
Legal Experience
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LeClairRyan, Norfolk, Virginia 2007 - present
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Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk, Virginia, 1998 - 2007
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IRS District Counsel Office, Detroit, Michigan, 1995 - 1997
Selected Representative Experience
Memberships and Affiliations
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American Bar Association: Tax Section, Nominating Committee; former Chair, Low Income Taxpayers Committee
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Virginia Bar Association: Past Chair, Taxation Council
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Hampton Roads Tax Forum: Past President
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Samaritan House: Counsel
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The Community Tax Law Project: Board of Directors
Distinctions
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation & Controversy - Tax, Tax Law
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Listed in Virginia Business magazine's 2011 "Legal Elite", Taxes/Estates/Trusts/Elder Law
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Listed in Law & Politics magazine's "Super Lawyers" in Tax, 2010-2011
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American Bar Association, Tax Section, Pro Bono Award, 2002
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Education
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J.D., magna cum laude, Michigan State University Law School, 1993
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B.A., with distinction, University of Virginia, 1981
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