Taft Tax Lawyers

936-525-0202 If you are reading this, you may have what seems like an unmanageable tax debt to the most powerful collection agency in the World, the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America; or, a state agency that may even be more aggressive than the IRS. I know that feeling of helplessness because I found myself trapped in a horrible tax mess many years ago. My business went from bedroom to NASDAQ and then collapsed in the Internet-tech meltdown in 2000. My IRS and California tax problems were immense. One day, my bank accounts were swept and all my available...

I have had two careers: one in law and one in academia. I am now practicing law part-time in Dallas, Texas. My legal background is varied, covering most aspects of the general law practice: business transactions and related work, including banking, taxation, contracts, corporate planning and finance; joint ventures and partnerships; mergers and acquisitions; oil and gas; litigation; financial services; debt collection; mortgages; secured transactions; bankruptcy; debt collection; law related to churches and nonprofit organizations; social security disability; and real estate. Over time, I have represented more than 100 nonprofit organizations. I also have extensive estate planning and probate experience and was previously certified by the State...

Lance’s practice focuses on representing taxpayers before the IRS and Federal courts in matters involving audits, appeals, collection and litigation. Lance left the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in 2007 after serving as a Senior Attorney. As a Senior Attorney, Lance litigated cases on behalf of the government and advised Revenue Agents and Revenue Officers in their investigations.

Kevin Andrew "Andy" Johnson aggressively represents commercial and personal injury plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the United States. Kevin Andrew "Andy" Johnson earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, where he was elected as a Student Government representative. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, graduating cum laude. In law school, he earned numerous distinctions and honors, including induction to the Order of the Barons. He was elected as a Student Government representative and as...

Kate Mains Eckhart is as an associate in the firm’s Beaumont office. Kate works in the firm’s business section with a concentration in real estate and corporate transactions, tax, estate planning and probate, oil and gas law, and probate and guardianship litigation.

While in law school at South Texas College of Law, Kate served on the Editorial Board of the South Texas Law Review; as a law clerk in the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas; and as a research assistant to the school’s professors updating hornbooks on federal income taxation and estate and gift taxation. She was a...

Anthony Choueifati graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in Psychology in 2002 and from South Texas College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 2005. His 19+ years of experience plays a significant role in advising clients, whether that involves forming business entities, complex partnership agreements, contract drafting and negotiation, estate planning, or mergers and acquisitions. Anthony enjoys meeting business owners of all types and strives to form long-lasting relationships with his clients. Anthony is married, has two children, and enjoys golf and traveling.

John Brusniak is a nationally recognized property tax attorney. His ground-breaking appellate successes and his involvement with the legislature over the past 30 years have significantly influenced Texas property tax law. He is a frequently sought speaker and publisher of property tax articles and texts. John has been recognized by his peers with election to the positions of chair of the American Bar Association's Property Tax Committee, chair of the State Bar of Texas' Property Tax Committee, and chair of the entire State Bar of Texas Section of Taxation. He has repeatedly been selected as one of...

Michael Presbitero joined Starr Law Firm, P.C in November 2017. His practice focuses primarily on business/commercial and real estate transactional matters for small to mid-size private businesses. Prior to joining Starr Law Firm, P.C., Michael was an attorney with two Dallas law firms and represented clients in a variety of litigation (in state and federal courts) and non-litigation matters across the state of Texas, with a focus in business, creditor rights and commercial matters. He has experience representing clients in matters involving a variety of legal areas: mergers and acquisitions, real estate, contracts, insurance, bankruptcy, nonprofit, business/commercial (such as choice...

Matthew G. Messerli is the founding attorney of The Messerli Law Firm, PLLC. Prior to pursuing his legal career, Attorney Messerli earned his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and his Master’s in Finance (MSF) from the Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He has accumulated more than a decade of experience as a business consultant and operator. Attorney Messerli later spent several years serving as a financial advisor to high-net-worth individuals and businesses before earning his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman Law School in Dallas, Texas. His unique blend of...

Rand is the principal attorney at Zumwalt Law Group. After heading the bankruptcy and general counsel departments of two medium-sized Texas law firms, Rand decided to open his own law firm, merging the best aspects of both firms with his own strong personal ethics and creative legal mindset. Through Zumwalt Law Group, Rand strives to elevate personal service while taking care of foundational legal issues in a client-focused professional manner. Rand's areas of practice include business litigation, contract law, mergers & acquisitions, copyright and tax law, and legal issues relating to startups and nonprofit formation. Helping Austin startups...

AV Rated
40 plus years of experience
Less than 14% of attorneys throughout the entire United States are “AV” Rated
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We have limited our practice to Estate Planning and Taxation. And we are dedicated to giving you the legal solutions and tools you will need to plan and build for your future with confidence.


Member of The College of the State Bar of Texas
The College of the State Bar of Texas is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for...

Lacy Leonard represents state and federal taxpayers through all stages of a tax controversy, including audit assistance, challenging assessments and seeking refunds of overpaid taxes. Ms. Leonard has over 13 years of substantial trial experience, which allows her to effectively represent clients before the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and in the state and federal district courts. Ms. Leonard also frequently writes and speaks on state tax topics, including the Texas sales tax and Texas franchise tax.

Ms. Leonard tried to verdict and won the first lawsuit challenging a franchise tax assessment under the current...

Experienced business and tax litigation attorney that handles an array of legal matters for business owners and individuals seeking protection for their assets. Handles the following legal matters: Business transactions Tax liens and seizures Mergers and acquisitions Tax collection Corporate litigation Buy-sell agreements Tax appeals, IRS audits Contract litigation

With my Experience, Training and Expertise, I get You the best solution to your tax problem.

Jack Wilhelm is an Austin, Texas, attorney whose office is located convenient to the Railroad Commission, General Land Office, State Comptroller’s Office, State Capitol, and Austin area courthouses. Jack focuses his practice on oil and gas and state taxes. Jack’s oil and gas clients include Fortune 500 oil and gas companies and privately and publicly held oil and gas independents, as well as sophisticated landowners. Most of the oil and gas practice focuses on real estate (title examination, acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas properties, and negotiations) and assisting clients with matters before the Railroad Commission...