Shelf Project Lunch Presentation

This is just a reminder that Calvin Johnson will be on campus this Friday, October 26 to present the "Shelf Project".  The presentation will start at 12:30 p.m. in room 118.  Lunch will be provided.  Please let me know whether you plan to attend. 

WSBA Estate Planning Scholarships Awarded

Thank you to everyone who submitted their name for the John Price Scholarship for the Estate Planning Seminar. The three students who were awarded the John Price Scholarship have been notified. If you're interested in attending the conference, you may register here. 

Bank of America - Wealth Strategies Analyst

For more information about this position, go to www.bankofamerica.com/careers, and search for job number 1200070169.

Description

Supports Wealth Strategists in developing and preparing existing and prospective clients' financial plans, analysis,

and models, which may encompass investment, retirement, estate, gift, and tax planning, and risk management.

Reviews, analyzes and flowcharts estate planning documents and drafts initial financial projections. Assists in the

coordination of client workshops to provide financial advisory expertise to internal sales team and existing clients.

Executes and delivers on special projects as needed. Assists with marketing efforts through preparation of

presentations to facilitate securing current and future business and to build credibility in the local market place.

Reviews communication materials for updates on product and service offerings, policy and procedure changes, as

well as personnel and risk management updates.

Required:

2+ years of training and/or experience doing individual tax returns (1099, 1040, S Corp, etc.) and/or strong

knowledge of individual tax law

2+ years of training and/or experience with trust and estate planning

Strong knowledge of financial markets

Highly organized with a strong attention to detail

Strong analytical skills

Extremely strong MS Excel (Graphs, Charts, Pivots, etc.) and PowerPoint experience

Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience dealing with high net worth clients

BA/BS in Finance, Accounting or other business related major

WSBA Tax Section Meet and Greet

This is just a reminder that the WSBA Tax Section Meet and Greet is tomorrow, October 18 at Lane Powell's Seattle office.  It begins at 5 p.m.  This is an excellent opportunity to network with members of the WSBA Taxation Section's Young Lawyers Committee, and I encourage you to attend if you are able.

"Shelf Project" Speaker Lunch on Friday, October 26, 2012

Calvin Johnson, Andrews & Kurth Centennial Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law, will be on campus Friday, October 26 to talk with students about the Shelf Project.  The following description was posted on the TaxProf Blog on February 24 of this year:

"Since 2007, the Shelf Project has generated sixty-three proposals, many of which focus on protecting the tax base by reducing or eliminating exemptions, loopholes and shelters-collectively known as tax expenditures. Much of Johnson's scholarship over the years has examined how these tax expenditures introduce inefficiencies. Professor Johnson describes his project as follows:

 

We should be able to raise at least a trillion dollars a year more revenue within the current income tax system, without a rate hike or a Value Added Tax, largely by making our tax accounting better reflect economic income. Our current system has too many tax pits, which absorb revenue and distort investment decisions. We allow deductions for fictitious losses. 'Taxable income' under our tax accounting does not reach and describe high-class consumption as well as it needs to. Moving toward a more comprehensive income tax base to make it less easily avoided would improve both the fairness and efficiency of the income tax.

 

Please plan to attend this wonderful presentation.  Lunch will be provided.  Once we have the room confirmed, I will post it.  Please let me know if you are able to attend.

Presidential Management Fellows

The Presidential Management Fellows program has implemented two changes this year: (1) alumni who received their advanced degree within the last two years are eligible to apply, and (2) applicants no longer need to be nominated by the UW; they can apply directly.

This two-year paid fellowship includes challenging assignments, potential for accelerated promotions, developmental assignments, and networking opportunities. Finalists appointed as PMFs have the opportunity to be hired by Federal Agencies and engage in solving domestic and/or international issues in areas such as public administration, engineering, technology, science, criminal justice, health, and financial management, to name a few.

 For information and applications: Students must apply through the PMF website and USAJobs .  This is a multi-phase application process, including both online and in-person segments.  DEADLINE:  NOVEMBER 19, 2012, 8:59 pm PST.

Eligibility Requirements: Must receive advanced degree between Sept. 1, 2012 and Aug. 31, 2013 or have received advanced degree no earlier than Nov. 5, 2011.   All disciplines are eligible.  Must meet following criteria: breath and quality of accomplishments, capacity for leadership, and demonstrated commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs. Information about the PMF program is available at: https://www.pmf.opm.gov/

 

WSBA Meet and Greet Location

The WSBA meet and greet taking place next Thursday, October 18, will be held at Lane Powell's downtown Seattle office: 1420 5th Avenue, Suite 4100.

Resume Workshop Video Link

Here is the information for accessing the resume workshop video.

Right click on the file name from the website and download before attempting to play it back. Many if not most web browsers have difficulty playing back files from within a page.

https://files.law.washington.edu/uw/Academic%20Support%20Program--Note-Taking%20and%20Case-Briefing%20Workshop/default.aspx

 

57th Annual Estate Planning Seminar Scholarships

November 1 and 2, the Estate Planning Council of Seattle and the Washington State Bar Association will sponsor the 57th Annual Estate Planning Seminar. This is the second largest estate planning seminar in the country, with over 1,000 in attendance each year. I strongly encourage those of you interested in a career as an estate planner to attend this conference. It is a great opportunity to network with potential employers and the substance of the program is top-notch.

The Washington State Bar Association is offering three "John Price Scholarships" to three students enrolled in the UW Graduate Program in Taxation. These scholarships, named after Professor John Price, a former Dean of the School of Law and a world-renowned estate planner, offer complimentary admission to the conference together with a complimentary set of course materials for the entire program. Lunch is not included with these scholarships.

If you would like to be considered for one of the John Price Scholarships, please send Ilse an email (ra7 (at) uw.edu) as soon as possible. If more than three students indicate interest prior to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, there will be a lottery to award the scholarships. Winners of any such lottery will be notified on Thursday, October 18. 

WSBA Tax Section Meet and Greet: October 18

Lane Powell and the WSBA Tax Section are hosting a meet and greet on Thursday, October 18 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is an excellent networking opportunity as well as an opportunity to learn about pro bono opportunities in the area.

DOR Tax Policy Specialist 2 Position

See Symplicity or careers.wa.gov for more information.

Application Window:
October 2 - October 11

Description:

The Department of Revenue has a career opportunity for a full-time, permanent Tax Policy Specialist 2 in the Appeals Division, located in Olympia, WA.

This position is primarily responsible for conducting independent administrative hearings on the record for the review of the Department’s initial orders to deny, revoke, or refuse to reinstate reseller permits, and review of initial orders revoking certificates of registration, and for entering final orders in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

As an attorney trained in interpreting and applying tax law and policy, this position is responsible for reviewing, hearing, and resolving taxpayers’ appeals of Department actions and responding to taxpayers’ petitions in writing. The appeal process provides taxpayers with a review of departmental actions, and produces decision articulating the department’s position, as mandated by statute. 

Hiring Criteria:

Admission to practice law in the state of Washington; or
Graduation from an accredited school of law and current admission to practice before the highest court of a state.
AND
One year as a Tax Policy Specialist 1; or
Two years experience as hearings examiner in a governmental agency, assistant attorney general, or practice as an attorney.
An LL.M. or Master’s degree in taxation or closely allied field will substitute for one year of experience

Required Qualifications
Communicate clearly and effectively in writing, using standard rules of language regarding spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, sentence structure, and composition and accurately reference supporting documents and controlling authority.
Use effective techniques for communicating and asking questions in ways that enhance clarity, information flow, and reliability of the information and those dealing with conducting orderly and meaningful hearings and interviews or other methods of gathering information.
Effectively interact one-on-one or in a group with other state employees and the public.
Express ideas and information effectively through the spoken word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.
Effectively perform legal research, identify issues in a case, and identify areas for further analysis and investigation.
Effectively work with others to understand interests and actively strive to settle cases or resolve differences in a timely manner.

Effectively use technologies that are necessary to conducting the business of the organization including word processing and electronic communication software packages and specialized legal software including Westlaw, Lexis, or similar software for legal research. 

How to apply:
To be considered for this opportunity, you MUST provide a complete online application with the materials listed below.

If you are viewing this announcement online, click on the Apply button above and follow #7 & #8 below.
1. Go to www.careers.wa.gov.
2. Click the “Look For Jobs” button.
3. Check the “Dept. of Revenue” box in the Department section.
4. Click the “Apply Search” button.
5. Click "Tax Policy Specialist 2-Olympia (09838)". 6. Click the “Apply” button.
7. Follow the online application instructions to complete the online application and include these materials: ---Cover letter, summarizing how you qualify, in the Additional Information section
---Resume in the Resume/Text Resume section
8. Complete the supplemental questionnaire. 

ABA Tax Challenge - Rule Change

For those of you participating in the ABA Tax Challenge, please note that the rules have been modified to provide that the client letter must not exceed 5 pages.

Resume Workshop

This is just a reminder that Holly Bennet from the CPLD will be conducting a resume workshop for LL.M. students tomorrow, October 2, at 12:30 p.m. in room 127.  I strongly encourage you to attend!

Master's Degree Request for Autumn Graduates

If you will be graduating at the end of Autumn 2012 (December of this year), make sure to submit a Master's Degree Request by December 7 at 11:59 pm. You will need your UW NetID and password to access the form.