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Chamberlain Hrdlicka Adds Tom Cullinan, Former IRS Counselor / Acting Chief of Staff, to Atlanta Office

April 3, 2023

Tom Cullinan joins Chamberlain Hrdlicka's Atlanta Office

Chamberlain Hrdlicka is pleased to welcome Tom Cullinan, who is leaving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to join the firm’s Atlanta Office. While at the IRS Cullinan served as part of Commissioner Charles Rettig's leadership team, first as his counselor and then as the acting IRS chief of staff. He will join as an equity shareholder in the firm’s nationally recognized Tax Controversy & Litigation practice, comprised of attorneys experienced in advising and representing taxpayers before federal, state and local taxing authorities and in all federal and state courts where tax disputes are litigated.

“For the last twenty years, I have wished that Tom would come to work with us, and now my wish is coming true. We are delighted to have Tom join our team in Atlanta,” says Larry Campagna, managing shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka. “He brings with him extensive knowledge and understanding of tax controversy and litigation. During his time at the IRS, he developed policies, strategies and initiatives critical to tax administration that will position him and the firm well in interacting with our clients. His experience makes him an invaluable asset.”

“Tom strengthens our nationally ranked Tax Controversy practice and ensures we will continue to provide top quality service to our clients,” says Juan F. Vasquez, Jr., chair of the firm's Tax Controversy Section. “We are excited to welcome Tom into the Chamberlain Family and to learn from his expertise and continue to grow our practice.”

Cullinan has over 25 years of experience representing taxpayers in interactions with the IRS, first as a certified public accountant and then as a tax attorney representing taxpayers in tax controversy matters. He has represented several hundred taxpayers, including low-income individuals in pro bono matters, high net-worth individuals, partnerships, and trusts and estates. Cullinan has also represented large corporations in IRS audits, administrative appeals and litigation, and on a wide variety of tax issues often with significant amounts at issue.

Cullinan left private practice in late 2018 to join the IRS and is immensely proud to have done his part to serve taxpayers and to ensure that the tax laws were enforced fairly. While at the IRS, Cullinan advised IRS Commissioner Rettig on significant issues facing the IRS, including its strategic plan and budget, staffing, internal operations, enforcement of tax laws and service to taxpayers. He was also involved in high-level enforcement issues, and he either conceived or helped launch the Office of Fraud Enforcement, the Office of Promoter Investigations, and the Joint Strategic Emerging Issues Team, all of which should be key IRS enforcement tools in the coming years. Cullinan also helped implement various policies pertaining to cryptocurrencies and served as an invited IRS representative to several Financial Stability Oversight Council meetings regarding cryptocurrencies.

Cullinan has received many accolades, including recognition from Chambers USA in the tax category for nine years; recognition from The Legal 500 for U.S. Taxes: Contentious; selection for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers; and he was named a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyers. He was a fellow with the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the IRS Advisory Council (IRSAC) and chair of the Large Business & International (LB&I) subcommittee. Cullinan is a member of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation’s Court Procedure and Practice Committee, Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee and Administrative Practice Committee.

He earned his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo; his graduate degree from the State University of New York at Albany; and his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.