Joseph Kaufman

Joe is known for guiding trial teams through every phase of complex litigation. From case inception to courtroom resolution, he leads strategy and execution. He takes and defends depositions, oversees expansive e-discovery efforts, collaborates with expert witnesses, and crafts dispositive motions. At trial, he cross-examines witnesses and delivers persuasive opening statements and closing arguments. Joe also supervises multidisciplinary case teams navigating high-stakes disputes involving publicly traded corporations, high-net-worth individuals, and major financial institutions.

Most recently, Joe served as a senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he litigated a wide range of sophisticated civil tax matters, including multi-million-dollar cases involving employee retention credits, captive insurance, estate and gift taxes, excise taxes, land valuation, foreign bank account and international tax reporting, alter ego liability, and lien enforcement. Notably, while at DOJ, Joseph served as a member of the joint IRS-DOJ ERC Committee responsible for developing litigation strategy with respect to all ERC cases nationwide. Throughout his time at the DOJ, Joe worked alongside high-level counterparts at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, as well as IRS revenue agents and revenue officers.  Joe’s combination of DOJ experience and insight into IRS practices and procedures enables Joe to provide strategic advice to clients facing IRS scrutiny and DOJ litigation.

In addition to tax litigation, Joe has a breadth of experience, including several years at an international law firm, where he represented corporate, individual, and Big Four accounting firm clients in high-stakes, complex civil lawsuits and criminal matters spanning corporate fraud, securities class actions, commercial disputes, and accounting malpractice and tax shelter actions. Joe also represented major financial institutions in nationwide securities litigation. He has also held key roles in internal investigations and civil and criminal enforcement actions across a range of industries, including finance, pharmaceuticals, defense contracting, bankruptcy, construction, and accounting.

Alongside his significant in-the-courtroom skill, Joe relies on his experience briefing motions, arguing dozens of hearings, and successfully resolving matters through pre-suit negotiations to bring strategic, tailored insight to each engagement.