Overview

For 80 years, Kostelanetz LLP has built a global reputation as a law firm of choice for clients facing high-stakes controversies, negotiations with government agencies, and complex domestic and international tax planning decisions. Our attorneys have extensive experience in tax controversy, tax fraud defense, white-collar criminal defense, trust and estate planning, transactional tax planning, and government investigations. We are regularly called upon to handle the most challenging and sensitive matters and internal investigations. Important parts of the firm’s practice also include commercial litigation and government procurement and contracting.

Kostelanetz attorneys are highly skilled and approach each matter strategically based on decades of administrative and litigation experience and as advisors on domestic and international tax compliance issues. Many of our attorneys have served as former senior officials within the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal and state prosecutors’ offices. Several of the firm’s attorneys have served as federal judicial law clerks and/or have master’s degrees in taxation.

The firm and its attorneys have been honored and recognized by major, independent national and international legal rankings agencies, including Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.

Kostelanetz LLP attorneys are thought leaders who frequently write articles for The CPA Journal, Tax Notes, The Journal of Tax Practice & Procedure, Law360, and other respected publications on the latest topics and trends in tax law, civil and criminal tax enforcement, transactional tax planning, estate and trust planning, commercial litigation, and white-collar criminal defense & government investigations, including recent developments in IRS audits, IRS criminal investigations, state and local enforcement actions against alleged tax evasion, and enforcement measures taken by the Justice Department, the SEC, FinCEN, and various government regulatory agencies.

Several of our partners teach at top law schools (such as NYU and Georgetown), present CLE/CPE courses on tax-related and legal ethics topics, and are often hired as expert witnesses or consultants in tax controversy litigation.

Our individual and institutional clients have immediate access to the firm’s partners and most senior attorneys. The firm focuses on providing value to its clients and is sensitive to the balance between cost and benefit inherent in every legal assignment. As a result, we have the depth and flexibility to add attorney strength as the needs of the client or matter demand.

Size:
42
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Practice Areas:
12
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Best Lawyers Recognized:
16

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2026 "Law Firm of the Year"
Litigation and Controversy - Tax

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
National Ranking
Tax Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trusts and Estates

Regional

New York City

Tier
1
New York City
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
New York City
Tax Law
Tier
2
New York City
Trusts and Estates

Washington, D.C.

Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2026 "Law Firm of the Year"
Litigation and Controversy - Tax

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
National Ranking
Tax Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trusts and Estates

Regional

New York City

Tier
1
New York City
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
New York City
Tax Law
Tier
2
New York City
Trusts and Estates

Washington, D.C.

Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Tax Law

Practice Areas

Kostelanetz LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 5 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Government Contracts
  • Litigation – Appeals & U.S. Tax Court
  • Litigation – IRS Audits
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Securities - Litigation
  • Securities Regulation
  • Tax Fraud
  • Tax Law
  • Tax-Exempt Organizations
  • Trusts and Estates

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Kostelanetz LLP proudly has 16 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Offices & Contacts

New York, NY
Seven World Trade Center, 34th Floor
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
United States
Washington, DC
601 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Suite 260
Washington, DC 20001
United States
Atlanta, GA
309 E. Paces Ferry Road, NE
4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30305
United States
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