Former IRS Official Sam Maruca Rejoins Covington’s Tax Practice

Former IRS Official Sam Maruca Rejoins Covington’s Tax Practice

8/4/2014

WASHINGTON, DC, August 4, 2014 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that Sam Maruca, most recently the Director of Transfer Pricing Operations for the Large Business and International Division at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, has returned to the firm as a partner. Mr. Maruca will be resident in the firm’s Washington D.C. office, and will advise clients on all facets of federal income tax controversy and risk assessment, including transfer pricing matters.

“We are delighted to welcome Sam back to the firm,” said Timothy Hester, chair of the firm’s management committee. “Sam has been at the heart of U.S. transfer pricing policy and enforcement over the last three years. He adds another dimension to our regulatory and risk management strategy, and a timely one given the growing importance of transfer pricing to multinational corporations and governments.”

Mr. Maruca has practiced in the field of federal income tax for more than 30 years. He has represented clients in numerous business sectors, including information technology, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, communications, specialty materials and retail.

“Sam is a top-flight international tax lawyer, whose exceptional experience in transfer pricing and transfer pricing controversies will again enhance our existing practice,” said Dan Luchsinger and Reeves Westbrook, co-chairs of the firm’s tax practice.

During his tenure at the IRS, Mr. Maruca instituted changes that resulted in a more sophisticated and comprehensive approach to transfer pricing audits and resolutions; new internal processes to leverage the IRS knowledge base; and improvements in the dialogue and relationships between the U.S. and its key trading partners throughout the world.

“I am delighted to return to Covington,” said Mr. Maruca, who spent three years in the firm’s tax group before being selected by the IRS to run its newly-formed transfer pricing unit. “Given the firm’s justified reputation as one of the top litigation and dispute resolution firms in the country, and the deep substantive strength of its existing tax practice, I cannot imagine a better place to grow a premier controversy practice. I believe I can help the firm position itself as a global trouble-shooter and risk manager for multinational enterprises, wherever they may be headquartered or doing business.”

Mr. Maruca earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his law degree from Georgetown University.