James Joseph, the co-chair of the firm's Tax practice, represents clients on tax planning and litigation matters. Mr. Joseph represents tax-exempt organizations (including public charities, private foundations, and international nongovernmental organizations) in structuring and implementing complex charitable programs and business ventures. He provides advice to corporations and individual donors on charitable, advocacy-related, and political giving. Mr. Joseph also works with the firm's legislative team to monitor and provide advice on legislative and regulatory tax proposals. On tax controversy matters, he has represented corporations, partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, and individuals in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits, proceedings before the IRS Appeals Office, state-level audits and administrative hearings, and litigations in the US Tax Court and in federal district and appellate courts.
Mr. Joseph also works with corporate and tax-exempt clients on governance, executive compensation, employment tax, and other general tax matters. He assists tax-exempt organizations in structuring, funding and implementing lobbying, advocacy, and political activities. Mr. Joseph is the Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the former Co-Chair of its Voting Rights Project Support Committee and Investment Committee. He served on the IRS's Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT) from 2009-2012. Appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, ACT members advise the IRS on operational policies and procedures. Mr. Joseph also was Chair of the Tax Section of the District of Columbia Bar and is currently Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Taxation, Exempt Organizations Committee, Subcommittee on Unrelated Business Income Tax. Since 2013, he has been named a Washington, DC Super Lawyer for nonprofit organizations and tax law. In 2003, Mr. Joseph was a recipient of the Ally of Justice Award for his work for the Human Rights Campaign.
Experience
- LeanIn.Org, LLC
- Markle Foundation
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development
- The ONE Campaign
- Smithsonian Institution, Independent Review Committee
- United Nations Foundation
- The George Washington University
- Arizona State University Foundation
- League of Women Voters
Perspectives
Recognition
"Top Lawyers Hall of Fame" (2022)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1989, magna cum laude
- B.A., Georgetown University, 1984
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Tax Court
Activities
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Lawyers' Committee's for Civil Rights Under Law, Executive Committee (former Co-Chair)
- Co-Chair, American Bar Association's Section of Taxation, Exempt Organizations Committee, Subcommittee on Unrelated Business Income Tax
- Member, Internal Revenue Service's Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (2009-2012)
- Member, Tahirih Justice Center's Public Policy Council
- Member, ALI-CLE Tax Law Advisory Panel