Tax Litigation

Pontius Tax Law, PLLC strives to resolve sensitive tax problems through trust, dedication, and value. The law firm was founded by John Pontius. Mr. Pontius regularly represents individual and business clients with sensitive and serious tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. His client base is local, national and international. Over the course of his career, Mr. Pontius has represented businesses and individuals with complex tax issues in the following areas: FBAR examinations, offshore disclosures, FATCA, tax planning, unfiled tax returns, release of tax liens and levies, trust fund recovery penalty, IRS and state audit examinations as well as Appeals, penalty abatement, US Tax Court litigation along with defense of tax fraud and evasion. Mr. Pontius has extensive examination experience with federal and state audits, protests of proposed adjustments and audit reconsideration. He represents clients on tax liens and levies, collection due process hearings, offers in compromises and requests for penalty abatement. He has experience with employment tax issues such as worker classification and the trust fund recovery penalty. Prior to founding Pontius Tax Law, PLLC, Mr. Pontius practiced for five years at Maryland tax controversy law firms in Rockville, Annapolis, and Bethesda. Mr. Pontius has two years’ experience in the international corporate tax group at KPMG in Tysons Corner, Virginia where he researched and analyzed a wide range of complex tax matters in the areas of compliance, provision, planning, and restructuring. At the accounting firm, Mr. Pontius worked with a broad range of U.S. multi-national and foreign-owned clients doing business as corporations and partnerships in the communications, financial services, and defense contractor industries.

A. Antonio Tomas is a Board Certified Tax Lawyer, Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Tomas's practice focuses on two main areas: Tax Law and Criminal Law. Mr. Tomas has successfully represented clients against the Internal Revenue Service at the field and appeals level, as well as before the United States Tax Court. He has also advised and counseled clients on various issues, including trust and estate planning, corporate structuring and general tax planning. Mr. Tomas has extensive experience at the state and federal level litigating all phases of a criminal case. He has defended clients charged with various white-collar crimes, as well as other crimes such as grant theft, child molestation and murder. Mr. Tomas graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law in 2003. During law school, he interned with the Miami-Dade state attorney's office and was an editor for the Inter-American Law Review. He went on to earn an L.L.M. degree (Masters of Law) in Taxation from the University of Miami in 2006. Prior to law school, he majored in Accounting and earned a Master's Degree in Taxation from Florida International University. He has been a C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountant) in the state of Florida since 2002.

Mr. Guttman is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest recognition possible in the legal industry, for his professionalism and ethics. Consistent with the concentration of the firm, Mr. Guttman continues to focus his law practice in the areas of real estate assessments, property tax incentives and tax exemptions. He has extensive experience with representing a variety of property owners including multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial properties, as well as downtown Chicago office buildings. Mr. Guttman has considerable experience with litigation including acting as associate counsel before the Circuit Court of Cook County on a number of cases that challenged the constitutionality of the assessment methodology applied by taxing officials. His trial experience includes one of the first tax objection cases to be heard in the Circuit Court under the amended 1995 Revenue Act, which abolished the antiquated constructive fraud standard. Mr. Guttman co-authored two chapters, “Tax Objection Complaints” in the book, “Real Estate Taxation” and “Real Estate Tax Considerations” in the book “Residential Real Estate Transactions” for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He also co-authored the article “Five Things Every Attorney Should Know About Appealing Their Client’s Real Estate Taxes” appearing in the January, 2004 edition of the “CBA Record.” He was the former Chairman of the main committee, Legislative Liaison, and Chairman of the Assessment and Appeals Sub-committee of the Chicago Bar Association’s Real Estate Taxation Committee. He currently acts as Treasurer of the Illinois Property Tax Lawyer’s Association – an advocacy and lobbying group established to inform, educate and promote tax policies and legislative efforts affecting tax payers throughout the State of Illinois. Mr. Guttman lectured before the Chicago Bar Association’s continuing legal education seminar entitled, “Real Estate Taxation: An Overview for the Non-Specialist” in 2005 and acted as Special Assistant State’s Attorney on behalf of Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, as Trustee of the Indemnity Fund in the defense of a claim against the Indemnity Fund. He also served on the Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas’ Joint Committee for the automation of the Illinois Transfer Tax Form.

Ernest established the firm with offices in Pennsylvania and London in 2005, providing professional services to multinational individual, corporate and private equity clients.  Ernest continues to bring together people with the shared belief that a practice should be built on providing reliable professional service while maintaining the trust of its people and of its clients.  Ernest's commitment to providing his clients with personal attention is carried forward today by each of the firm's service professionals.

Christopher L. Strohbehn is a shareholder at Mallery s.c. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With over 20 years of legal experience, he remains dedicated to helping clients navigate challenging situations. His calming presence provides much-needed reassurance during times of uncertainty. Christopher has built a diverse litigation, practice, handling personal injury, insurance coverage disputes, civil litigation, and commercial property tax appeals. He enjoys strategizing on complex matters and effectively manages cases that intersect multiple practice areas. His vision, attention to detail, and approachable nature contribute to his success in achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. His practice covers the entire state of Wisconsin, representing a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. Regardless of the client, he brings a sense of resolve and practicality to each case, working diligently to find the best solutions. Christopher has significant experience litigating in appellate courts across Wisconsin, including serving as lead counsel in cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He has also been actively involved in the legal community, serving as President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyer's Association and as a board member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice. In addition to his professional endeavors, Christopher has remained engaged in his community, including serving as an alternate on the City of Milwaukee's Administrative Review and Appeals Board and as President of a downtown Condominium Association. He currently enjoys spending his free time with family, grilling, and attending his daughter's basketball games. Originally from Rock Island, Illinois, he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Cubs, Bears, and his alma mater, the University of Illinois. To schedule a consultation, please visit the website or call 414-271-2424.

Founded in 1977, Sussman & Associates is a boutique law firm comprised of licensed Nevada & California attorneys, paralegals, real estate agents, and brokers with offices in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Newport Beach, and Palm Springs. Our Firm specializes in real estate and business litigation, property disputes, construction disputes, title matters, contracts, bankruptcy, business formation, timeshare litigation and student loan adjustment. Our team possess specialized knowledge in these areas of the law. Whether it's litigation, arbitration, mediation, or simple client counseling you can be sure that we will zealously advocate for our client's interests. At Sussman & Associates, our consumer advocacy department has negotiated over 20,000 timeshare releases on behalf of our clients as well as mortgage and student loan forgiveness. Reasonable and thoughtful resolution of your real estate and business disputes is our goal. Try our services risk free today with a free phone consultation with one of our legal associates.

Named an Indiana SuperLawyer in personal injury in 2016 and 2017, Steve Crell has for the last 28 years aggressively represented clients in all areas of litigation, including personal injuries and wrongful death involving auto and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and nursing home negligence/abuse, and litigation involving real estate and business and labor disputes. His website devoted solely to his personal injury services, including a summary of some of the verdicts and settlements he has achieved for his clients, is here: www.stevecrelllaw.com. Mr. Crell is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Membership in this exclusive group is limited to attorneys who have won at least one verdict or settlement of $1 Million or more. Less than 1% of attorneys in the United States are members. The forum recognizes attorneys with the ability to accomplish superior results in complex cases. Mr. Crell has been an innovator in the use of pre-trial and even pre-lawsuit mediation to assist clients in achieving settlements and avoiding controversies and the associated expense and stress that often accompany the protracted litigation of such disputes. When a settlement is not possible, Steve has the jury trial, court trial and arbitration experience in Federal and state courts to competently, professionally and aggressively assert, protect and defend the claims of his clients. Steve has the requisite training and has met the qualifications to mediate disputes. He is now registered with the Indiana courts as a Registered Civil Mediator. Mr. Crell also assists clients in forming businesses and creating, drafting and managing sophisticated business and corporate and real estate transactions. Mr. Crell received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Ball State University in 1985 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 1988, where he was a recipient of the Francis J. Feeney, Jr. tax award for academic excellence in taxation. Mr. Crell was a charter member and Barrister of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Inn of Court, an invitation-only group of judges and trial lawyers. He has been admitted to and argued before the United States Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, the United States Tax Court, and the Indiana Supreme and Appellate courts. He is a member of the Torts and Litigation sections of the American Bar Association, The Indiana Bar Association, and the Indianapolis Bar Association, where he served on the pro-bono committee that oversees and recognizes lawyers who provide free legal services to those in need. Mr. Crell has lectured and taught classes on navigating the superior and small claims courts, and on managed health care and other business-related topics. He is the Past-President and member of the board of directors of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and Past-President and a member of the Board of Directors of Hooverwood Nursing Home, a non-profit, state of the art comprehensive nursing and rehabilitation center that specializes in the care of Alzheimer's residents. He formerly served on the board of directors of the Indiana Cancer Research Foundation.

Norm Daniels is an Attorney at Law and Certified Public Accountant and is licensed in West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. He has over 40 years of experience and has been selected by his peers to have an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubble and to be included in "The Best Lawyers in America" and "Super Lawyers." In addition to his legal practice, he is an experienced mediator and arbitrator and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. In 1994, Norm Daniels founded Daniels Law Firm, PLLC with the purpose of creating a law firm dedicated to representing highway, heavy, utility, and building contractors and their suppliers. The business law practice includes civil litigation; insurance litigation; business and tax planning; labor and employment law; wills, trusts, and estates; and arbitration and mediation. The firm represents clients working in the States of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The paramount commitment of the firm is to timely meet all of our clients’ needs for legal services. Our attorneys and the lawyers we associate with can handle any type of legal problem. Problem Solving Is Our Business.

Lincoln Clark is a practicing lawyer in the state of California handling Tax matters.

Monica P. Patankar is a partner with the law firm of Patankar Law P.C. Monica takes a compassionate approach to helping clients solve their legal issues. She listens to each story carefully and understands that no two issues are alike. Monica's legal training and experience have prepared her to handle your legal needs. Monica gained her legal knowledge at University of Notre Dame Law School in Notre Dame, Indiana. Upon graduation, Monica worked for a large law firm, Chapman and Cutler LLP in Chicago, Illinois. At Chapman, Monica worked with large municipalities and other governmental entities to raise capital for large infrastructure projects. After working for Chapman, Monica also had the opportunity to focus her legal acumen on individuals with family law issues and businesses handling general litigation and transactional matters, before forming Patankar Law P.C. Moreover, through her previous work experiences, she gained an interest in taxation and furthered her education at Washington University in St. Louis, School of Law receiving an LL.M. in Taxation. Monica is trained as a Guardian ad Litem, an attorney that is appointed to determine what is in the best interest of the minor children, in Kane, DuPage, and Kendall Counties. To schedule an initial consultation with a skilled Aurora Tax Attorney, call 630-820-8877.