IRS Commissioner Addresses 2019 May Tax Meeting

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles P. Rettig keynoted the Plenary Session of the Section of Taxation’s May Tax Meeting on May 11. Rettig, who serves as the Service’s 49th Commissioner, stressed his efforts to rebuild the morale and staffing at the IRS after several years of budget cuts. Commissioner Rettig said he wanted the 350 lawyers present at the session to know that "We’re hiring!" 

Prior to joining the IRS, Rettig was a partner at the Los Angeles-based firm of Hockman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez, P.C. He also served as the Section of Taxation’s Vice Chair of Administration, and he partially attributed his success to his Section participation. He urged all tax attorneys to join the Section for the professional development and for the networking opportunities. 

Earlier in the session, Emily A. Parker, Senior Counsel at Thompson & Knight LLP in Dallas, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, the Section of Taxation’s highest honor. Parker was the first female attorney at Thompson & Knight. She went on to be the firm’s first female partner and ultimately the firm’s managing partner. Her government service included stints as Deputy Chief Counsel and Acting Chief Counsel at the IRS in the early 2000s. Parker also is an active participant in the Tax Section, having served as Vice Chair of Professional Services, Vice Chair of Government Relations, Director on the Section’s Council, and as a committee chair and committee vice chair.