Full-Service Law Firm solving complex challenges through bold thinking, precise execution, and shared purpose.

Full Service Law Firm | Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Specializing in the Intersection of Business &amp; Government

Meet our team of trusted advisors, strategic thinkers, and community builders dedicated to client success.

Learn about our full-service legal and business solutions, designed to address complex challenges for leading organizations across industries.

Access thought leadership, news, and resources to stay informed about the latest trends, legal developments, and industry innovations.

Discover how partnership, bold thinking, and precise execution drive results for clients nationwide.

Explore how our national reach and local expertise support clients across the United States and beyond.

Grow at a firm designed to bring out your best.

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Guiding Growth, Transformation, and Opportunity

The Michael Best Tax team brings deep experience advising businesses, individuals, and organizations on the full spectrum of tax issues. Effective taxation work includes both comprehensive planning based on continually changing tax laws and resolution of tax controversies. We help clients in these areas and act as a source of guidance on any tax issue.

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We represent Fortune 1000 and other corporations, partnerships, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, and individuals in a wide variety of business and personal tax matters at the federal, state, and local levels.

Clients look to our interdisciplinary team for their diverse tax needs, such as:

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Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) planning

State and local tax issues, including representation in a full range of planning, audit, and contested matters

Corporate taxes, including federal consolidated return and state combined reporting issues

Partnership tax issues, including profits interest/carried interest awards

Multistate apportionment and sales factor sourcing, including “cost of performance,” “market,” and equitable apportionment issues

Federal and state new market tax credit, historic tax credit, low-income housing tax credit, energy credits, and other tax credit financing transactions

Trial and appellate tax litigation, including, on an ongoing basis, cases before the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission, and all Wisconsin courts

Tax law policymaking, including development and review of proposed legislation, as well as administrative regulations

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Ranked National Tier 2 for Litigation and Controversy - Tax 

Best Law Firms

Ranked Madison Tier 1, Milwaukee Tier 1 for Tax Law

BTI Client Service A-Team

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Our Approach: Collaborative, Efficient, and Business-Focused to Maximize Results

At Michael Best, we take a proactive approach to tax planning and work to optimize the structure of transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, spin-offs, and related transactions, ultimately achieving maximum tax efficiency. Throughout every tax engagement, we consider not only the client’s immediate tax concerns, but their entire business, as we craft an effective solution.

Our attorneys provide comprehensive tax compliance support and represent clients before all taxing authorities. We monitor proposed tax law changes at all levels in order to keep our clients well informed. When new laws emerge, we implement innovative strategies to minimize negative impacts and capitalize on any opportunities these changes bring.

Michael Best’s approach to tax law is grounded in a deep history. For decades, many of the firm’s most prominent attorneys have been tax lawyers who played leading roles both in representing clients and in formulating tax policy. Our attorneys author numerous leading national and state tax publications, including The Complete Guide to Wisconsin Sales and Use Taxes; teach tax law at institutions such as the University of Wisconsin Law School; and regularly present at tax conferences across the United States.

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Tax Controversy and Litigation

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Tax Planning

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State and Local Taxation (SALT)

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Nonprofit &amp; Social Enterprises

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Tax Credit Financing

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Proven Results Across Industries and Deal Types

Our team has successfully represented clients in:

Represented a national health insurance company in a case addressing the validity of a settlement agreement between our client and the Internal Revenue Service. We successfully argued, and the court held that the IRS could not attempt to change the meaning of its agreement with a taxpayer.

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Represented a telecommunications company on its $650 million sale transaction to a strategic buyer, including a complex pre-closing restructuring, compliance with IRC Section 280G shareholder approval requirements, design and implementation of incentive arrangements, and other tax-sensitive issues.

Major state and local tax litigation, including cases involving the sourcing for apportionment purposes of receipts from intangible income, and the sales and use tax treatment of transactions facilitated through internet platforms.

Ongoing buy-side representation of fundless sponsors in their acquisitions of target companies, addressing carried interest structures, sophisticated distribution waterfalls with catch-up tiers and MOIC hurdles, tax-efficient rollover strategies for target shareholders, and qualification for Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits.

Ongoing representation of clients undertaking M&amp;A transactions, including business sales involving pre-closing “F” reorganizations, stock and asset dispositions, division sales, tax-free and taxable mergers of significant complexity.

Close-up of U.S. tax forms, including a 1040 individual income tax return, spread out on a desk.

Tax

Key Contacts

Trending Conversations for Tax

As Tax Season Heats Up, Three Provisions Every Founder Should Know: 83(b), 1202, and 409A (plus, Wisconsin’s QNBV)

Michael Best Recognized in 2026 “Best Law Firms” Rankings with Multiple National and Metropolitan Tier 1 Honors

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 List

Key Contacts

Trending Conversations for Tax

As Tax Season Heats Up, Three Provisions Every Founder Should Know: 83(b), 1202, and 409A (plus, Wisconsin’s QNBV)

Michael Best Recognized in 2026 “Best Law Firms” Rankings with Multiple National and Metropolitan Tier 1 Honors

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 List

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