William M. Paul

William Paul is a member of the Tax Group and is resident in the firm's Washington, DC office.  His practice focuses on federal income tax matters, including specialties in the taxation of financial products, financial transactions, and investment funds.  He regularly advises clients on the tax treatment of innovative financial products.  He also represents taxpayers and industry groups before the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and Congress.  

Mr. Paul is currently Chair of the American Bar Association Tax Section.

Representative Matters

• Representation of coalition of US options and stock exchanges on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the tax treatment of options.
• Outside tax counsel to the Investment Company Institute, the national trade association of the mutual fund industry.
• Advisor to various mutual funds and other investment vehicles on tax issues, including the tax treatment of complex securities.
• Advisor to major multi-national corporations on taxation of derivatives and other financial products.

Previous Experience

• United States Treasury Department, Office of Tax Policy, Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel (1988-1989)

Honors and Rankings

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America for more than 10 years
• Listed in Chambers USA's Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers (2006-2011)
• Listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law, and The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers
• Named "The Leading Lawyer in Tax" in Washington, DC by Legal Times (2005)

Memberships and Affiliations

• American Bar Association Section of Taxation
  • Chair (2011-2012)
  • Vice Chair (Government Relations) (2005-2007)
  • Chair, Tax Shelter Task Force (2002-2005)
• D.C. Bar Tax Section
  • Chair, Financial Products Committee (2003-2005)
• American College of Tax Counsel
  • Fellow
• American Law Institute
  • Member

Publications and Speeches

• "Proposed Regulations under Section 871(m): Equity-Linked Instruments," Financial Transactions Committee, ABA Tax Section (5/11/2012)
• "Grandfathered Tax Strategy Patents," 3 Colum. J. Tax L. Tax Matters 7 (2012), Author
• "NPCs and Section 1256 Contracts: What’s In and What’s Out Under the Proposed Regulations," Financial Products Committee, DC Bar Tax Section (11/16/2011)