Kathleen M Pakenham

Kathy is Co-Head of the firm’s Tax Controversy Practice. She is one of the nation’s most sought-after tax controversy lawyers. She has represented clients in major tax controversies relating to a full range of tax issues, with particular emphasis on partnership tax, transfer pricing, valuation, and tax procedure. Kathy has extensive experience advising clients at the pre-litigation phase, in particular examinations and administrative appeals under the centralized partnership audit regime under the Bipartisan Budget Act. She also represents clients involved in internal and governmental investigations, in addition to state and federal trial and appellate matters. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies and large partnerships in diverse sectors such as banking, energy, private equity, technology, and pharma.

Kathy has been recognized consistently as a leader in the tax litigation and controversy practice area by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 U.S. One client notes “She is incredibly knowledgeable” (Chambers USA 2025). Additionally, she was appointed to the prestigious United States Attorney General’s Honor Program immediately after her graduation of law school. Kathy also clerked for the Honorable Steven M. Gold of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York after graduating from law school.