Baker McKenzie Adds Senior IRS Official Jennifer Best to Tax Practice in Washington, DC

Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie announced today that Jennifer Best will join its Tax Practice Group later this month in Washington, DC. Jennifer is a highly respected tax practitioner who brings 15 years of experience with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where she served as Deputy Commissioner of the Large Business & International (LB&I) Division and more recently as the Acting Commissioner of the LB&I Division.

Jennifer was responsible for supervising and managing IRS field operations across the country. She worked on tax administration activities for domestic and foreign businesses, primarily focusing on improving cross-border and domestic tax certainty and expanding issue resolution options for large business taxpayers. Her expertise includes addressing double tax disputes and interpreting tax treaties. Jennifer also provided strategic direction in a variety of capacities with the OECD Forum on Tax Administration, including with the Bureau Deputies group, the Large Business and International Program and the International Compliance Assurance Program.

"During her tenure at the IRS, Jennifer was highly respected for her experience handling complex audit issues and her ability to resolve disputes judiciously and efficiently," said Salim Rahim, Americas Chair of the Firm's Tax Practice Group. "Her knowledge and reputation will be a tremendous asset for clients navigating disputes as they engage with the IRS to find a viable path to resolution."

Baker McKenzie's Tax Practice is one of the most highly regarded in the world. With more than 730 tax practitioners in over 40 countries, the Tax Practice collaborates across borders and specialties to stay abreast of changing tax landscapes worldwide. The Firm's Americas Tax Group has advised clients on managing and mitigating risk in North America, Latin America and at state and local levels for more than 40 years.

Jennifer commented, "My decision to join Baker McKenzie is based on the Firm's stellar reputation generally, but especially when it comes to tax administrative disputes. Given the caliber of its lawyers and large client base, I'm excited about the opportunity to help major companies resolve tax disputes in a fair and effective manner."

Jennifer received her BA in Accounting from Michigan State University and her JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law. After law school, Jennifer clerked for the Hon. Robert G. Doumar in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Prior to joining the IRS, Jennifer served as a Trial Attorney in both the US Department of Justice Tax Division and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement.

Jennifer joins the Firm on Monday, September 29 and will be based in its Washington, DC, office.