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Hanson Bridgett Partner Christopher Karachale Elected As An American Tax Counsel Fellow

May 24, 2022 (San Francisco, CA)Hanson Bridgett LLP, an AmLaw 200 law firm serving all of California and beyond, is pleased to announce that Partner Christopher Karachale has been elected as a Fellow of the American Tax Counsel, which promotes sound tax policy and engages with the government on matters affecting the tax system. Membership in the exclusive organization is reserved for tax lawyers at the top of their profession who are recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments and professional achievements and for their dedication to improving the practice of tax law.

To become a Fellow of the College, individuals must be nominated by a current Fellow and then evaluated by a committee of the College’s Board of Regents. Criteria for membership in the College include being licensed as an attorney in the United States for at least 15 years, with a career that is principally devoted to tax law and tax-related matters. Prospective Fellows must be currently engaged in (or retired or semi-retired from) full-time legal work, whether in private law practice, in a corporate legal or tax department, in a governmental legal position, in a trade association, in a law school teaching position, or a combination thereof. For all prospective Fellows, demonstration of a high standard of excellence and ethical conduct in the practice of tax law is required. This commitment can be shown in a number of ways, including through active involvement in the taxation committees or sections of national, regional, state or local bar associations, as well as through significant legal writing, teaching in the field, and holding responsible national or regional office involving tax administration.

Karachale advises individuals and businesses on a range of tax planning and tax controversy matters at the federal, state, local, and international levels. He also serves as outside general counsel to a variety of companies, providing general corporate and related business guidance. Karachale regularly works with entrepreneurs and start-up companies, and is one of the leading practitioners on qualified small business stock and related section 1202 issues. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Bloomberg, and Business Insider on QSBS issues.

Karachale has published extensively, with articles appearing in Tax Notes, the California Business Law Practitioner, and Law360. He also is a frequent speaker on tax issues to audiences in the United States and abroad. He is certified as a legal specialist in taxation law by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

"I am honored to be among this distinguished list of recently inducted Fellows," Karachale said. "I will continue to provide high-quality, innovative tax guidance for my clients while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards."

Karachale and the 13 other Fellows elected to the American College of Tax Counsel by its Board of Regents were inducted at the organization’s May meeting.

About the American College of Tax Counsel

The American College of Tax Counsel is a professional association of tax attorneys in private law firms and in-house legal departments, on the bench, in federal or state government, or in academia. The College serves important roles regarding the nation’s tax laws by communicating with Congress, the Treasury Department and the IRS on federal tax issues and through the filing of “friend of the court” briefs in selected tax cases. A Board of 19 Regents serves as the governing body of the College, with one regent drawn from each of the 13 federal judicial circuits, plus two at-large positions. The Board is rounded out by the four members of the Executive Committee – President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Last Retiring President. The College can be found online at http://www.actconline.org.

About Hanson Bridgett LLP

Hanson Bridgett LLP is a full service AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys across California. Creating a diverse workforce by fostering an atmosphere of belonging and intentional support has been a priority at Hanson Bridgett since its founding in 1958. We are dedicated to creating an environment that provides opportunities for people with varied backgrounds, both for attorneys and administrative professionals. We are also committed to the communities where our employees live and work and consider it part of our professional obligation to serve justice by encouraging and supporting pro bono and social impact work.

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John J. Buchanan
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Hanson Bridgett LLP
415-995-5031