Former CBS General Tax Counsel Alvan L. Bobrow Joins Akerman in New York
Former CBS Inc. vice president and general tax counsel Alvan L. Bobrow has joined Akerman LLP in the firm’s Tax Practice Group with. He joins Akerman’s New York office as a partner from Mayer Brown LLP, where he served as the leader of the national state and local tax group.
“Alvan’s experience with complex tax structures and strategies adds important depth to our transactional team,” said Peter Larsen, chair of Akerman’s Tax Practice Group. “His work across numerous jurisdictions will be valuable to our clients as they confront a multitude of corporate tax issues and deal-making decisions throughout the United States and internationally.”
“Akerman boasts one of the leading state and local tax practices in the country, known for structuring deals that are both creative and tax efficient,” said Bobrow. “I was drawn to Akerman for its track record and for its collaborative approach to meeting the needs of clients.”
In a news release, the firm said:
Bobrow provides counsel on state and local, federal and international taxation to clients in the financial services, real estate, manufacturing, e-commerce, entertainment and media sectors. He has extensive experience in New York State and New York City, multistate, civil and criminal tax matters. He assists international companies locating operations in the United States and advises international and U.S.-based businesses on treaty permanent establishment and constitutional nexus issues. His criminal defense practice focuses on the investigations of both individuals and businesses in matters relating to tax fraud, unreported income and tax shelter abuses.
Advising clients on business and legal issues in rapidly evolving sectors, Bobrow served as vice president and general tax counsel for CBS, where he is credited as the principal drafter behind the national multistate income apportionment rules for broadcasters. He has substantial experience working with senior government officials and legislative committees across the country to develop statutory provisions, regulations and administrative solutions to complex business challenges. Bobrow has served on the New York State and New York City Tax Commissioners’ Advisory Committees; the New York State Tax Department Financial Services Modernization Task Force; and the New York State Tax Department Telecommunications/E‐Commerce Advisory Panel.
Bobrow joins one of the premier tax teams in the United States, which earned distinction in 2016 as the “Tax Practice Group of the Year” by Law360. The Akerman team was recognized for achieving some of the greatest client successes in the industry and for creating a technology-driven innovation called the Akerman TaxAbility Matrix. The web-based product enables clients to quickly and cost-effectively understand vast and complex tax laws and regulations that impact their business.
Bobrow follows a wave of lateral partners joining Akerman’s New York office. Lateral Link revealed Akerman attracted the third most laterals in the market over the last year, expanding the New York team to more than 100 lawyers and business professionals. Recent additions include tax Partners Paul Collins from Schiff Hardin LLP, Sanford Davis from Withers Bergman LLP and Ira Stechel from Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs LLP; bankruptcy and reorganization Partner John Campo from Troutman Sanders LLP; real estate transactional Partner Thomas Diorio from Nixon Peabody LLP; and healthcare transactional Partners Martin Monaco and William Weiner from Duane Morris LLP, among others.
