Tax Controversy

Christopher Rizek

Christopher S. Rizek is a Member in Caplin & Drysdale's Washington, D.C., office. He also serves as General Counsel to the firm. Since 2014, he has been listed in the elite "Leading Lawyer" list for Tax Controversy by The Legal 500.

Mr. Rizek represents taxpayers in all types of federal civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He also guides clients through IRS audits, prepares administrative claims and protests of IRS actions, and litigates tax and tax-related cases in U.S. district and appellate courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Tax Court. In recent years, he has represented numerous financial and professional firms in connection with IRS examinations of tax shelters and related compliance and professional ethics issues.

Mr. Rizek has a unique history of government service before joining the firm. His combination of practical and policy-level experience in government has given him special insight into the application of the tax laws and IRS procedures, which has been of great value to many of the firm's clients who are faced with complex tax controversies and litigation.

From 1995-1998, he was an Attorney-Advisor and Associate Tax Legislative Counsel with the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Tax Legislative Counsel. While at the Treasury, he was responsible for regulations and legislation involving tax practice and procedure, including the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 (1996) and the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

From 1984-1988, Mr. Rizek was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, and he received the Outstanding Attorney Award in 1986.

LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, 1997
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1982, Editor, Law & Policy in International Business
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1979