Atlanta Boutique Merges with New York-based Law Firm to Build a Groundbreaking Tax Practice
The Atlanta-based tax controversy boutique, Welty PC, has joined forces with New York-based Kostelanetz LLP to form a robust, 40-lawyer national tax controversy practice. This new association signifies a major milestone in the legal industry, combining the best of both firms to deliver unprecedented tax and white-collar defense services.
A Powerhouse Combination
The combination aims to form a “powerhouse national tax controversy practice” that includes former Big Law tax attorneys and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigators. Welty PC has added 10 lawyers, including former top lawyers of the Am Law 100 firm, Todd Welty and Andy Steigleder, to Kostelanetz’s 30-attorney firm. The merger is timed around the “current and future IRS enforcement environment,” bearing testament to the progressive vision of both parties.
The Merger’s Context
Kostelanetz LLP, founded in the late 1940s in New York, is a firm that specializes in tax and white-collar defense. The merger is not a strategic move initiated due to external pressure or market conditions. Instead, it stemmed from a natural, organic discussion on collaborative success. As Todd Welty, one of the firm leaders, states, “We weren’t shopping the firm, we weren’t hunting for a merger. This was just a natural, organic discussion about how well we worked together,” emphasizing the amicability of the move.
The merger will take the expertise and resources of both firms to the next level by leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise. This alignment is expected to enhance the quality of their services, offering clients unparalleled assistance and guidance in tax controversy and financial crises.
The Implications
The combination paves the way for present and future tax controversies to be navigated with experienced former IRS investigators and Big Law tax attorneys. In light of an evolving IRS enforcement environment, this development signals heightened preparedness and strategic thinking in tax practice. The blend of industry-leading tax expertise combined with broad national reach assures a new era of tax representation.
The Future of The New ‘Powerhouse’
The inception of the new 40-lawyer firm signifies an exciting growth trajectory for both Welty PC and Kostelanetz. By uniting their strengths, the combined entity will strive to offer comprehensive tax solutions, drive innovation within the sector, and establish an exceptional standard of expertise and dedication within the rapidly changing landscape of the tax world.
This powerhouse combination is expected to be an industry game-changer, ushering in a new era of tax practice while setting a high bar for their contemporaries. The future holds great promise as the newly merged entity, equipped with stellar resources and top-grade tax attorneys, is poised to redefine and excel in tax practice.
