Law School(s) Attended
Georgetown University Law School, LL.M. in Taxation, with Distinction
The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with Honors
Undergraduate School(s) Attended
University of Alabama, B.A. in International Relations
Professional Biography
Rick has an extensive background in law, business, and leadership. Rick’s educational background includes a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Alabama, an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Wyoming, a J.D., with Honors from The George Washington University Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation, with Distinction, from Georgetown University Law School.
After graduating college, Rick was commissioned in the US Air Force and served as a Minuteman III ICBM Launch Officer. He left active duty and entered the US Air Force Reserve to attend law school. His legal career has spanned numerous positions of increasing responsibility in the Air Force JAG Corps and in private practice. As an Air Force JAG, Rick served in the Office of the Chief Defense Counsel for the Military Commissions representing detainees facing trial by Military Commission, including Ahmed Khalfan Ghalani, who he defended in both his Military Commission proceedings and his trial in the Southern District of New York. Rick’s military career culminated with his service as Staff Judge Advocate for the 911th Airlift Wing. He retired in 2021.
In private practice, Rick has focused exclusively on tax controversy since completing his LL.M. in 2011. His experience includes representing individual and business clients, representing the IRS in US Tax Court litigation, and leading the Tax Controversy practice for a Top 8 accounting firm. He has appeared as counsel in over 300 US Tax Court cases. His litigation experience spans a wide range of substantive areas, including individual and business income tax, research & development credits, conservation easements, microcaptive insurance, partnerships and more. He has represented numerous taxpayers during exams before both the Small Business/Self-Employed and Large Business & International divisions and in appeals before the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. At the state level, he has defended individuals and businesses facing income tax audits, sales tax audits and collections. He has successfully negotiated numerous offers in compromise and installment agreements and obtained abatement of penalties for hundreds of taxpayers.
Professional Biography
Rick has an extensive background in law, business, and leadership. Rick’s educational background includes a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Alabama, an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Wyoming, a J.D., with Honors from The George Washington University Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation, with Distinction, from Georgetown University Law School.
After graduating college, Rick was commissioned in the US Air Force and served as a Minuteman III ICBM Launch Officer. He left active duty and entered the US Air Force Reserve to attend law school. His legal career has spanned numerous positions of increasing responsibility in the Air Force JAG Corps and in private practice. As an Air Force JAG, Rick served in the Office of the Chief Defense Counsel for the Military Commissions representing detainees facing trial by Military Commission, including Ahmed Khalfan Ghalani, who he defended in both his Military Commission proceedings and his trial in the Southern District of New York. Rick’s military career culminated with his service as Staff Judge Advocate for the 911th Airlift Wing. He retired in 2021.
In private practice, Rick has focused exclusively on tax controversy since completing his LL.M. in 2011. His experience includes representing individual and business clients, representing the IRS in US Tax Court litigation, and leading the Tax Controversy practice for a Top 8 accounting firm. He has appeared as counsel in over 300 US Tax Court cases. His litigation experience spans a wide range of substantive areas, including individual and business income tax, research & development credits, conservation easements, microcaptive insurance, partnerships and more. He has represented numerous taxpayers during exams before both the Small Business/Self-Employed and Large Business & International divisions and in appeals before the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. At the state level, he has defended individuals and businesses facing income tax audits, sales tax audits and collections. He has successfully negotiated numerous offers in compromise and installment agreements and obtained abatement of penalties for hundreds of taxpayers.