On Tax

Alex Raskolnikov is a Wilbur H. Friedman Professor of Tax Law and a co-chair of the Charles Evans Gerber Transactional Studies Center at Columbia Law School. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss Alex's unusual path into the world of tax, from metallurgical engineering in Lansing, Michigan to teaching tax law at Columbia Law. They also talk about the qualities that distinguish students in the tax law classroom and share advice for young professionals facing junctures in their career journeys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Kapusta is the Global Head of Tax at FactSet. In this episode of On Tax, Scott and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss how an early interest in economics led Scott to his current corporate tax practice, and how there are benefits to using the process of elimination when it comes to choosing a career path. They also reflect on lessons learned over the course of their long professional relationship, on both sides of the negotiating table, and share insights into what makes tax advisors excel in their roles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tadd Fowler is the Senior Vice President – Treasurer and Global Taxes at Procter & Gamble. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss Tadd's path from an accounting major in college to his current position, highlighting his unusual trajectory from a public accounting firm to in-house role and back again. He also reflects on the benefits of focusing on the building blocks of tax, crediting his advisory expertise in part to years of compliance work early in his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gus Makris is Senior Managing Counsel and Head of the Office of Tax Counsel at Dow, a global materials science company. In this episode of On Tax, he and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how Gus made his way to his current role at Dow, where he has found a culture that deeply values tax advisory, and how the lessons he learned while a tax associate at Cravath have continued to inform his practice. Gus also reminisces about his time in law school and shares key insights and advice for attorneys and young professionals just beginning their careers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Compton is a partner in the Corporate Department at Cravath. In the Season 9 premiere of On Tax, he and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how his work in the energy and energy transition sectors intersects with the world of tax, and the importance of taking calculated risks throughout one's career. Andrew also discusses the lessons he learned while working in Asia, including the benefits of finding commonality with the people on the other side of the negotiating table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tax returns for Season 9 on Tuesday, March 18. This season, tune in as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti talks to professionals in the world of tax about the different routes they took into tax and the challenges and opportunities they faced along the way. Next week's guest is Cravath corporate partner Andrew Compton, who discusses how his work in the energy and energy transition sectors intersects with the world of tax, and the importance of taking calculated risks throughout one's career. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast/index. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Rhoades is the founder of The Sanity Plea, where she serves as a coach, strategist, speaker and educator for lawyers, law firms, students and other professionals. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how Tara's passion for mentorship guided her through several career transitions. They also discuss Tara's time as an associate in Cravath's Tax Department and the lessons that helped shape both her law and coaching practices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susanne Schreiber is the Senior Partner and Co-Head of the Tax Department at the law firm Bär & Karrer in Zurich, Switzerland. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss how an early interest in corporate tax guided Susanne from law school in Germany to her current role. They also talk about key differences between the practice of tax law in the United States and in Switzerland and reflect on two essential components of any successful partner's job: mentorship and collaboration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariel Greenblum is the Editor in Chief of Tax Notes Federal, a weekly journal published by Tax Analysts that features stories and commentary on federal taxation. In this episode of On Tax, Ariel and Cravath partner and host Len Teti branch out into the world of tax journalism, exploring how an early interest in economics and tax law shaped Ariel's path from law student to editor. Ariel also shares what she sees as the hallmarks of a successful editorial process and reflects on the differences between accuracy and clarity in legal writing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JoAnn Chávez is the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at DTE Energy. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss how a willingness to advocate for her own ambitions led JoAnn to pursue an unusual path to leadership through the tax world. She also reflects on the power of making the right choices for oneself and her commitment to uplifting young Latinos just beginning their careers in law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim Piazza recently retired as a Senior Marketplace and Tax Partner at Deloitte. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss how his auditing background and focus on relationship building helped him achieve success throughout his career. Jim also reflects on the link between stewardship and leadership when investing in new talent and shares what's keeping him busy in retirement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Denning is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department at Cravath. In the Season 8 premiere of On Tax, she and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss how her diverse interests as an undergraduate led her to test out different paths and eventually pursue a service-oriented career in law. Ali also talks about the importance of listening and communication in her work and shares her approach to fostering new talent at the Firm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tax returns for Season 8 on Tuesday, September 10. This season, tune in as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti talks to professionals in the world of tax about their varied careers and the decisions they made along the way. Next week's guest is Cravath trusts and estates partner Ali Denning, who discusses how her diverse interests as an undergraduate led her to test out different paths and eventually pursue a service-oriented career in law. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthias Scheifele is a partner at the law firm Hengeler Mueller in Munich, Germany. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about Matthias's path through the German legal education system. They also discuss the value of placing faith in young lawyers early on and the importance of balancing the fine details and the big picture in tax matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Albert Chang is Managing Director and Head of M&A, Tax and Structuring Advisory at ­RBC Capital Markets. On this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about Albert's time as a tax associate at the Firm and, later, how a serendipitous phone call led to his current role in investment banking. They also discuss the benefits of taking the long view when building professional relationships and the importance of holistic problem-solving in tax law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karie Roers is the Tax Director at Vista Outdoor. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about her experience growing up in a farm family in South Dakota and how her early interest in business led her to public accounting and the tax field. They also discuss the role that key mentors played in her decision to move in-house. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Hemel is a professor at the NYU School of Law. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about Daniel's path to his current role in legal academia. They also discuss his current tax research interests and his observations on what the best law students do well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brett Cornell is the Senior Vice President of Tax, Treasury & Finance at Danaher Corporation. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how Brett's early interest in accounting led him to tax positions at several global companies. They also discuss the broader responsibilities of his current role and the importance of tax across business functions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda Gold is a partner in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department at Cravath. In the Season 7 premiere of On Tax, she and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about beginning her legal career in Arizona and how she became interested in her current tax-adjacent practice. Amanda also discusses her decision to move to New York and join Cravath. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tax returns for Season 7 on Tuesday, March 12. This season, tune in as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti talks to professionals in the world of tax about their varied careers and the decisions they made along the way. Next week's guest is Cravath executive compensation and benefits partner Amanda Gold, who discusses beginning her legal career in Arizona and her decision to move to New York to join Cravath. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Steinberg recently retired as Head of Structured Solutions in the Global Corporate and Investment Bank of BofA Securities. He began his career as a tax associate at Cravath and later became a partner. In the Season 6 finale of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how trends in the industry and Lew's interest in structuring M&A transactions led him to work in investment banking. Based on his decades of experience as both outside counsel and as a consumer of tax advice, Lew reflects on what the best tax practitioners do well and the ideal relationship between advisors and their clients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ocka Stumm is a tax partner at Gleiss Lutz in Frankfurt, Germany. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about the differences between the legal systems in the U.S. and Germany and her time as a secondee at Cravath. They also discuss how her practice encompasses both transactional matters and tax litigation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Ware is the Vice President, Tax at Bausch + Lomb. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how his early interest in accounting led him to become a tax associate at Cravath. They also discuss his path to his current position as the head of tax at a publicly traded company, a role in which tax accounting is critical. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Stanton is the Corporate Treasurer and Global Head of Tax & Treasury at Peloton. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how his finance background brought him to law school and then Big Four accounting. He also discusses his decision to go in-house and how he views tax as a way to drive value for companies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Kiwi is Corporate Counsel at Audible. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how her interest in the entertainment industry led her to law school and eventually to her current role in media. She also discusses her time as an associate in Cravath's Tax Department and the lessons she learned from her mentors at the Firm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Katz is a partner in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department at Cravath who started his career as a tax associate at the Firm. In the Season 6 premiere of On Tax, he and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together as associates on large transactions. Jon also discusses the unexpected conversation that led him to join the Firm's Executive Compensation and Benefits Department, and the advice he offers law students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tax returns for Season 6 on Tuesday, September 12. This season, tune in as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti talks to professionals in the world of tax about their varied careers and the decisions they made along the way. Next week's guest is Cravath partner Jon Katz, who discusses his start as a tax associate at the Firm and the transition to his current practice in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Bertucci is the Senior Vice President, Global Head of Tax at Digital Realty. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how Joe's career has brought him from Texas to Florence, Italy, and back again. They also discuss how Joe gained experience in international tax through an intentional approach to his professional development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Wellen was the Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) at the Internal Revenue Service until he retired in March. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about his development as a tax practitioner and his interest in government service, which lead him to the role in which he was responsible for the IRS's position on all issues pertaining to corporate tax. He also provides insight on his approach to private letter rulings and issuing guidance on corporate transactions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dèlcia Capocasale is a partner in the Barcelona and New York offices of the international law firm Cuatrecasas. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about the legal education system in Spain and her path from associate to partner. They also discuss how Dèlcia's time in New York has influenced her practice and deepened her understanding of the tax issues facing multinational companies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Dixon is a Managing Director at Citigroup who started his law career as a tax associate at Cravath. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about how Will's early work as a securities trader inspired him to study law. They also discuss his time at Cravath and the ways in which his tax background informs the M&A transactions he advises on now as an investment banker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Kysar is a professor at Fordham Law School who started her career as a tax associate at Cravath. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about her early experiences as an associate and why she decided to pursue a career in academia. Rebecca also discusses her time as a member of the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team and as a political appointee in the Treasury Department, where she helped lead global negotiations to reach an international tax agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Graff is a partner in the Corporate Department at Cravath who started her career as a tax associate at the Firm. In the Season 5 premiere of On Tax, she and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together as associates and how her interest in investing led her to shift focus to investment management and funds. She also discusses how her tax background prepared her for her current practice, and her experience rejoining the Firm as a partner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Gordon served as Head or Co-Head of Cravath's Tax Department from 2000 through 2020. In this episode of On Tax, he talks to host and fellow Cravath partner Len Teti about the many different paths people take into tax law, how his interest in transactional work led him to the tax practice at Cravath—where high‑profile M&A and other corporate transactions are a cornerstone—and the collaborative, trusting culture he worked to cultivate in his years leading the Firm's Tax Department. (This episode of On Tax was originally published on April 13, 2021.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dana Frenkel is Global Head of Employment Tax at JPMorgan. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss their experiences starting as associates at the Firm around the same time. Dana also speaks about her career transition to an in-house role and how she expanded her tax expertise to be able to provide global employment advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Stepak is a partner and the National Practice Group Leader for the tax group at law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto, Canada. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about collaborating closely on cross-border transactions and how the transition from associate to partner is more gradual than some might expect. Paul also highlights the senior partner who sparked his interested in tax and, as a result, the mentorship he offers junior attorneys in his own group today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cravath alumnus Tom Brennan is the Stanley S. Surrey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Before he turned to tax law and academia, Tom received his bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as his PhD, in math. In this episode of On Tax, Tom talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about the unexpected paths his career has taken and how he helps to guide law students who are exploring their interests in the tax field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sheila Warren is CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation. In this episode of On Tax, she talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about starting her career as an associate in the Firm's Tax Department and how following her passion for the arts and community service led to a varied career that has so far included stints as an expert in exempt organizations law, software product developer, senior executive at a technology nonprofit, and founder of the digital assets team at the World Economic Forum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heather Benjamin is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department at Cravath who joined the Firm as a corporate associate and completed banking and capital markets rotations before moving to her current practice. In the Season 4 premiere of On Tax, she talks to fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti about why she decided to transition to trusts and estates and how she enjoys the combination of technical tax elements and complex interpersonal dynamics in the work she does now. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tax returns for Season 4 on Tuesday, September 6. This season, tune in every three weeks as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti talks to professionals in the world of tax about their varied careers and what they've learned along the way. Next week's guest is Cravath trusts and estates partner Heather Benjamin, who discusses her transition from corporate work as a young associate to her current tax-adjacent practice. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Angelilli is the Head of the Tax Department at Cravath, and Ting Chen is the Firm's Corporate Hiring Partner. In this re-release of our special recruiting episode of On Tax, Lauren and Ting talk to fellow Cravath partner and On Tax host Len Teti about their own experiences coming to the Firm, what law students can expect during their callback interviews, and the types of meaningful work that associates take part in when they come to Cravath. (This episode of On Tax was originally published on August 24, 2021.) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Patrick Lee is Vice President and Chief Tax Officer at DTE Energy in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career in public accounting before joining the tax group at a Detroit law firm and later clerking for the U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C. In this episode of On Tax, Patrick and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss the impact that mentorship has had on Patrick's professional development, both as a junior associate and as a senior executive today. Drawing from his experience managing an in-house team, Patrick offers insight into developing the business acumen that distinguishes the best tax lawyers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Carrie Galloway is a Managing Director and the Global Head of Advice Lab for JPMorgan Private Bank. She began her career as a tax associate at Cravath before moving on to practice trusts and estates law, later becoming a wealth manager. In this episode of On Tax, Carrie and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together as associates and how she decided to move from a law firm to a bank. Carrie also speaks about the advice she provides young lawyers on how to find a professional niche that plays to their strengths, both in and out of the legal field. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fintan Clancy is a partner and the Head of Tax at law firm Arthur Cox LLP in Dublin, Ireland. He began his career practicing UK law in London and Hong Kong before returning to Ireland to help build the tax practice at Arthur Cox. In this episode of On Tax, Fintan and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together on cross-border transactions and the differences between practicing in Ireland and the U.S. Fintan also offers his advice on what distinguishes the best tax lawyers, based on his experiences working with lawyers from around the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabriela Schwarz is Head of M&A Tax at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland. Before focusing on transactional work, she had broad experience in tax advisory at Big Four accounting firms. In this episode of On Tax, Gabriela and Cravath partner and host Len Teti compare notes on Swiss and American legal education and tax authorities, and talk about the international collaboration required for cross-border transactions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

JoLinda Herring is Managing Shareholder of the law firm Bryant Miller Olive and Co-Chair of its Public Finance group. After graduating from Fisk University, one of the nation's historically black colleges and the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville, with a degree in chemistry, she earned an MBA, worked for her father's construction business, and ran for local political office before deciding to attend law school. In this episode of On Tax, JoLinda talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about how her wide-ranging experiences and interests naturally culminated in her public finance practice and her current role as a member of Fisk's Board of Trustees. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Hayashi is the Class of 1948 Professor of Scholarly Research in Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Director of the Virginia Center for Tax Law. Before becoming a professor, Andrew practiced tax law as an associate and transitioned into academia when he spent two years as a research fellow at New York University. In this episode of On Tax, Andrew talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about how his intellectual interests in philosophy and economics come together very naturally in tax, and the type of advice he gives to students who are considering careers in tax law. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mike Schler is a retired partner at Cravath. He joined the Firm's Tax Department in 1974, was elected a partner in 1982 and retired as a partner in 2014. In the Season 3 premiere of On Tax, Mike talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about his nearly five decades at the Firm, from his first assignment to the guidance he offers associates today. Mike also discusses his longstanding interest in tax policy and the work that made him a titan of the New York State Bar Association's Tax Section. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Tax returns for Season 3 next week. This season, tune in every three weeks as Cravath partner and podcast host Len Teti sits down with professionals from academia, law firms and private industry, along with a few special guests from abroad. First up is Cravath retired tax partner Mike Schler, who shares his observations from nearly five decades at the Firm. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Darren Heil is a Managing Director in the Investment Bank at JPMorgan Chase. After law school, he joined Cravath as a litigation associate before moving into the Firm's Tax Department. In the Season 2 finale of On Tax, Darren talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about his career path being hired in-house to an investment bank and some of the current trends he is seeing in the deal space. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ashley Elnicki is a yoga teacher in Denver, Colorado, who started her professional career as a tax associate at Cravath. In this episode of On Tax, Ashley talks to Cravath partner and former colleague Len Teti about her path from Pittsburg, Kansas, to Los Angeles and later to New York City, her decision to depart and then rejoin the Firm, and the mentorship she received from the late USC School of Law professor Edward Kleinbard along the way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.