Kostelanetz is a proud sponsor of the D.C. Bar’s 10th Annual Tax Conference, to be held Jan. 7-8, 2026, at the D.C. Bar Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The two-day conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. each day.
In addition to firm sponsorship, Kostelanetz partner Melissa Wiley will be speaking on a tax controversy panel that will explore the most significant tax-related judicial decisions of 2025.
Designed for tax professionals, including lawyers, accountants, and economists, the D.C. Bar’s annual tax law conference delivers in-depth analysis of recent changes to the Internal Revenue Code, evolving international tax rules, the latest tax controversy trends, and the policy and administrative considerations shaping the tax practice at every level.
This year’s sessions again feature a distinguished roster of speakers, including senior government officials from the IRS, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, other jurisdictions’ ministries of finance, the OECD, the European Commission, and Capitol Hill, as well as leading tax practitioners from top law and accounting firms and prominent academics from the D.C. area and beyond.
More information about the conference is available here.
Melissa will speak on the following panel:
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Tax Controversy: Tax Litigation Update: A Discussion on Some of the Most Significant Tax-Related Judicial Decisions of the Past Year
A panel of seasoned tax litigators will cut through the noise and discuss what really matters from cases like 3M, AbbVie, Facebook, and Medtronic; explore how Eaton is playing out in practice; explain what Jarkesy has to do with tax; and attempt to predict where the economic substance doctrine stands as we move into 2026.
Melissa will be joined by fellow speakers David Foster, Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Paul McLaughlin, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; and Adam Strait, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division.
About Melissa
With more than 20 years of experience in tax law, Melissa has represented a diverse range of clients, from large corporations to high-net-worth individuals, in complex disputes with federal and state taxing authorities. Known for her calm, empathetic style, Melissa excels at distilling intricate tax issues into clear, actionable insights — helping her clients efficiently resolve disputes and focus on what matters most in their businesses and lives.
