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  1. Home
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  3. Sean M. Akins
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Sean M. Akins

Partner
Sean Akins
Washington +1 202 662 5062 sakins@cov.com Download V-card
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For over a decade, Sean Akins has advised corporations, partnerships, international organizations and tax-exempt entities on Federal tax litigation and controversy matters. Mr. Akins has extensive experience litigating before the U.S. Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. District and Appellate Courts.

Mr. Akins is co-author of Kafka, Cavanagh, & Akins, Litigation of Federal Civil Tax Controversies, 2d ed., the leading two-volume treatise on the litigation of tax cases in the United States.

  • Counsel to National Hockey League team in in successful trial before the U.S. Tax Court involving limitations as to the deductibility of certain business expenses. Jacobs v. Commissioner, 148 T. C. NO. 24 (2017).
  • Counsel to national online retailer/marketplace leader in novel state sales tax litigation currently pending before an administrative law court.
  • Counsel to national homebuilding company in successful trial involving the application of the completed contract method of accounting. Successfully defended against Government’s appeal before the Ninth Circuit. Shea Homes, Inc. v. Commissioner, 142 T.C. NO. 3 (2014), aff’d 834 F.3d 1061 (9th Cir. 2016).
  • Counsel to construction industry company in litigation before the U.S. Tax Court involving worthlessness deduction of a partnership interest. Although Government had proposed a tax deficiency, ultimately secured concession from Government prior to trial resulting in a refund to taxpayer. JELD-WEN v. Commissioner, U.S. Tax Court No. 003055-14.
  • Lead counsel to owners of homebuilding corporation in pending tax litigation before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims involving the application of the statute of limitations to various refund claims filed with the IRS. Shea, et al v. U.S., Court of Federal Claims No. 1:15-cv-00438-TCW.   
  • Lead counsel to a TEFRA partnership in litigation before the U.S. Tax Court involving income recognition based on partnership adjusted basis. Secured concession from Government prior to trial. SFHB I, LLC v. Commissioner, U.S. Tax Court No. 03594-13.
  • Counsel to major pharmaceutical company in litigation before the U.S. Tax Court involving the deductibility of a merger termination fee. Secured favorable settlement from Government. Inamed Corporation and Subsidiaries v. Commissioner, U.S. Tax Court No. 021850-12.
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Memberships and Affiliations

  • Nolan Fellow (2014-2015), ABA Section of Taxation
  • J. Edgar Murdock American Inns of Court (U.S. Tax Court), Associate Member
  • ABA Section of Taxation, Court Practice and Procedures Committee, Ethics Subcommittee Chair (2014-2015); Insurance Companies Committee, Co-Vice Chair (2010-2011)
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  • Law360, Tax "Rising Star" (2020)
  • Legal 500 US, Tax - US Taxes - Contentious (2017)

Practices

Cornell Law School, J.D., 2007

  • magna cum laude
  • Order of the Coif
  • Cornell Law Review, Admissions Editor

The George Washington University, B.A., 2003

  • cum laude
  • special honors
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Tax Court