“Big Law Quality Services in a Boutique Setting”
“An Expert Tax Boutique”
NEW YORK (June 11, 2024) —Kostelanetz LLP and five partners have been recognized by Chambers and Partners in its 2024 USA Guide in the areas of tax controversy, tax fraud, tax law, and white-collar defense and government investigations.
Chambers this year has recognized Kostelanetz as a leader in five categories: Tax: Controversy (Nationwide), Tax: Fraud (Nationwide), Specialist Firm in White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations (New York), Tax (New York), and Tax (District of Columbia). The five partners recognized in the Chambers USA 2024 Guide are Megan L. Brackney, Caroline D. Ciraolo, Sharon L. McCarthy, Jay R. Nanavati, and Bryan C. Skarlatos.
Chambers notes that its rankings show which selected firms and individuals “stood out in the most rigorous, independent and in-depth research process of any legal directory on the market and has emerged as one of the best in [their] field.”
Chambers’ review of Kostelanetz found that it has maintained its reputation as “an expert tax boutique with significant strength in criminal proceedings.” As part of its research process, Chambers interviewed a mix of tax and legal professionals as well as Kostelanetz clients who had the following to say about the firm’s tax controversy and tax fraud practices:
“Kostelanetz are my go-to national tax boutique. Their boutique firm offers big law quality services in a boutique setting without the conflicts in big law firms.”
“[T]hey are the best of the best. They have excellent knowledge of tax controversy matters, they have unsurpassed experience, and individual lawyers who are friendly, supportive, … They are at the top of their game.”
“When they walk into a room with the DOJ or IRS, they will listen to them.”
“Their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is very strong. They are as good as it gets in the tax world.”
Of Kostelanetz’s white-collar defense work, Chambers has noted that Kostelanetz “undertakes a relatively broad range of sophisticated and high stakes matters that demonstrate noteworthy capabilities.” Other legal professionals commented:
“I had the freedom to pick the best team, and I brought them in. They are in the upper echelons. They are very good at working with co-counsel at other firms.”
“They are in the pantheon of a few who work at the same level.”
Megan Brackney is ranked as a leader in both Tax: Controversy (Nationwide) and Tax: Fraud (Nationwide). Megan “is very reliable and knowledgeable and is always responsive,” one interviewee told Chambers. Another legal professional said, “She’s excellent.”
Caroline Ciraolo is ranked in three categories this year — Tax: Controversy (Nationwide), Tax: Fraud (Nationwide), and Tax (District of Columbia). Tax and legal professionals said Caroline is “the gold standard for all of tax controversy” and that “she is an exceptional lawyer — one of the best I have ever known. She is 15 steps ahead, and she has a photographic memory. She is super impressive and at the forefront of new ideas.”
Sharon McCarthy is ranked for Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations (New York). One client told Chambers that Sharon is “simply one of the best white-collar lawyers in the world. She has reached the pinnacle in her field.” Another interviewee said, “She is one of the most talented, very aggressive (in a good way) defense lawyers.”
Chambers ranks Jay Nanavati in both Tax: Fraud (Nationwide) and Tax (District of Columbia). Interviewees said Jay’s “level of sophistication is very strong. … Jay knows his stuff and is a practical and efficient professional,” and that “he can take the most difficult cases and fashion the most amazing results.”
Bryan Skarlatos has been recognized for his skill in three categories for 2024 — Tax: Fraud (Nationwide), Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations (New York), and Tax (New York). Legal and tax professionals who talked to Chambers said of Bryan: “He has been doing it for longer and better than anyone I know,” “he is one of the outstanding criminal tax lawyers,” and “he is so well-respected, fearless in the challenging cases he takes on and gets very successful results.”
About Kostelanetz
For more than 75 years, Kostelanetz LLP has built a global reputation as a law firm of choice for clients facing high-stakes controversies and negotiations with government agencies. Our attorneys have extensive experience in tax controversy, tax fraud, government investigations, and white-collar criminal defense and are regularly called upon to handle the most challenging and sensitive cases and internal investigations. Important parts of the firm’s practice include tax and estate planning, commercial litigation, and government procurement and contracting.
