George W. Connelly, Jr.

Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin, Houston, USA

Tax controversy may not be brain surgery or rocket science, but it's often just as challenging. Being proficient in the technical provisions of the tax code barely gets you to first base. The law appears to be black and white, but is actually more gray, with plenty of traps for the unwary. Knowing the procedural rules may not get you much beyond first base unless you are familiar with how they work in the real world.

Before coming to this firm in 1986, I spent 15 years as a trial lawyer with the IRS, and that experience is invaluable. I know how to synthesize the facts and the law and use them to structure a presentation that will get the best results before a court or the IRS. We attract cases with sizeable issues and sometimes find significant issues that others have overlooked and in both situations pride ourselves on being able to handle them competently.

Confidence may be the most important element in a relationship with a client. Too many lawyers assume they can make a fire and brimstone presentation about going to jail or huge penalties when that really isn't a likely scenario. Others unduly candy-coat the situation to get the business, and create false expectations about the likely results. I expect clients to be candid with me, so I am careful to identify what I consider the real seriousness of the situation. That way, the client and I can agree on a realistic strategy. As far as I am concerned, it's the only way to practice.