Meet The Team
Michael H. Israel, MA, JD, LLM
Mr. Israel, a partner, chairs both the Firm’s State and Local Taxation Controversy Group and its Commercial Litigation Group. Prior to joining the firm, Michael was a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for three years, where he represented the Illinois Department of Revenue in the circuit courts of Illinois and federal court. Michael dealt with complex state and local, income tax, and sales tax, litigation matters including those related to nexus, apportionment, responsible officer liability, residency, and the defense of the constitutionality of state property tax exemption statutes; as well as matters related to federal income taxation.
Prior to his employment with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, Michael practiced in federal and state courts in the areas of commercial litigation and tax litigation. In addition to handling complex tax matters, Michael has represented clients in actions involving: claims under the Illinois false claims act, breach of contract, non-compete agreements, limited liability disputes among members, an action seeking removal of a trustee, declaratory judgment actions, “white collar” fraud investigations conducted by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service, and asserted and defended claims for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. Michael has experience in conducting arbitrations as well as trial experience.
Michael was an adjunct professor at the John Marshall Law School and taught Advanced Federal Income Taxation in the school’s Master of Law in Taxation program from 2013 through 2019.
Education:
Northwestern University School of Law, Master of Laws in Taxation
Northwestern University School of Law, Juris Doctor
Northwestern University, Master of Arts
Northwestern University, Bachelor of Arts
Law License:
Illinois (1999)
Court Admission:
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, member of the General Bar and the Trial Bar
Bar Associations:
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Publications
Open House
Due to unforeseen circumstances, DBTA Open House for WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH has been Postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your interest and understanding.
Alert: Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds
Summary As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), a new community and economic development program was enacted under Section 1400Z-1 & 1400Z-2 that garnered little attention at the time of passage, but which now appears to be causing high net worth investors and the investment community at large to take […]
IRS TO ALLOW MOST TAXPAYERS TO DEFER PAYING 2019 TAXES ON APRIL 15, 2020 DUE TO COVID-19
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking at a coronavirus news conference today, announced that individuals who owe taxes to the IRS can defer up to $1 million, and corporations can defer up to $10 million in payments, for a period of 90 days from the April 15th deadline. At this point, the deferral applies to the income taxes owed, and there does not appear […]
DB Alert: 2019 Payment and Filing Deadlines
As we previously alerted our clients and friends, the Internal Revenue Service has postponed the tax payment deadlines for calendar year taxpayers until July 15, 2020 provided that the amounts owed did not exceed certain levels (prior alert); however, the tax filing deadline itself was not automatically extended under this prior guidance Recent guidance just […]
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act: Forgiveness Relief
Last week Congress passed H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PFA), significantly amending certain provisions in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relating to a borrower’s loan forgiveness relief requirements. The President subsequently signed the PFA legislation into law which provides PPP borrowers with the following favorable modifications that should enable more, […]
Significant Estate, Gift, and Income Tax Changes Proposed Under The “Build Back Better Act”
On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee released a proposed tax bill (House proposal) as part of the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better Act.” The segments of the proposed bill discussed below highlight important changes to the way trusts, estates, and individuals could be taxed. However, it is important to note that […]
For the 99.5% Act
In late March, the “For the 99.5% Act” (the “Act”) was introduced to Congress. The Act contains several additions, removals, and amendments to the Internal Revenue Code that would significantly alter estate and business planning practices. The changes, if enacted, that would be most relevant to comprehensive planning for the private client are summarized below. […]