Tax Partner Named President of International Fiscal Association USA Branch
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2006) — On February 24, 2006, Steven Hannes, a tax partner in McDermott Will & Emery's Washington, D.C. office, became president of the USA Branch of the International Fiscal Association (IFA), and chair of its Executive Committee, for a two year term. In the past 38 years, only three other law firms have had one of their own partners serve as president of this IFA Branch, a position otherwise held by leaders from corporations and accounting firms. Mr. Hannes has been a member of the executive committee of the USA Branch of the IFA and, prior to his election as executive vice president in 2004, he was the IFA vice president for the Washington, D.C. region.
IFA is the premier international tax organization with 11,000 members and branches in approximately 50 countries. At more than 1,100 members, the USA Branch is the largest of all the branches. IFA's membership is comprised of individuals from corporations (30 percent), law firms (30 percent), accounting firms (30 percent) and government and academia (10 percent).
During the next two years the USA Branch will sponsor and host a number of engaging conferences, including two with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the American Bar Association, as well as joint meetings of the USA Branch with the IFA Branches of Canada, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.
Mr. Hannes’ international tax practice encompasses advising U.S. and foreign based multinational corporations on structuring their cross-border transactions as well as representing multinationals in tax controversies. He is recognized, in particular, for his work in developing and defending structures and contractual arrangements that involve intercompany prices for intellectual property, goods and services.
Prior to entering private practice in 1982, Mr. Hannes was the Associate International Tax Counsel in the Office of the Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In this capacity he helped negotiate income tax treaties and protocols with, among others, the governments of Canada, Cyprus, Germany, Jamaica, Norway and the United Kingdom. Before joining the Treasury, he was chief of the international rulings group in what was then called the Office of the Assistant Commissioner (Technical) of the IRS.
Mr. Hannes received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1967 and his juris doctor degree from New York University School of Law in 1970. He is a member of the District of Columbia bar.
McDermott has one of the largest and most comprehensive law firm tax practices in the world. Our clients consist of U.S. and international based public and private companies, including more than half of the Fortune 100. We provide counsel on all tax-related areas, including corporate, international, employee benefits, state and local taxation, and tax controversy.
