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The firm's senior tax partner, Mr. Bernstein brings extensive experience and close personal attention to the representation of businesses, individuals and families in income, estate, and property tax matters, both as an advisor and as an advocate on income and estate tax issues. Federal and California Income Tax Mr. Bernstein works closely with his clients in all stages and facets of the tax planning process. An expert in taxation issues affecting closely held businesses, his day-to-day advice practice focuses on partnership and limited liability company agreements, purchase and sale agreements, employment agreements, Subchapter S and Subchapter C corporation tax issues. Mr. Bernstein's depth of experience enables him to identify and address the multifaceted tax issues arising in complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and issues facing start-up companies. In the context of a business sale transaction, for example, Mr. Bernstein may advise not only on corporate income tax implications, but also on income tax issues faced by individual shareholders, on California sales and property tax considerations, on estate and charitable planning issues, and on the effect of the transaction on family financial planning. Controversy Mr. Bernstein actively represents his clients in IRS audits, in California FTB audits, and in disputes before the United States Tax Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Recent representative matters include McClatchy v. Commissioner, a widely cited 9th Circuit case involving the valuation of shares restricted by securities laws in which he and fellow counsel achieved substantial estate tax reductions. In the context of large estate and income tax audits, he has negotiated numerous favorable tax settlements. | 