Leading Tax Attorney Richard Husseini Joins Kirkland

Kirkland & Ellis is pleased to announce that Richard Husseini, one of the nation’s most prominent tax controversy and planning attorneys, has joined the Firm as a tax partner in the Houston office.

“We are laser-focused on delivering to our clients the best talent in our areas of practice, and that’s exactly who Richard is — a top tax lawyer with an outstanding reputation earned over 30 years of practice at the highest levels,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We’re excited to add him to our premier tax team, and we will continue investing in key areas like this to meet the increasing demand of our client base.”

In his tax controversy practice, Mr. Husseini represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service in examination, mediation and appeals proceedings, before arbitrators in private party tax disputes, and before courts and regulatory bodies, including those before the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Courts and public utility commissions. He also has an active federal transactional tax practice, with specific experience in tax issues affecting the energy, oil and gas, and electric and gas utility industries.

“With the complexity of today’s world and regulatory framework, we are seeing a rise in tax disputes, and Richard is one of the best lawyers in the country practicing in this area. He’s the perfect partner to lead and grow the controversy side of our practice,” said Todd Maynes, a tax partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office.

Mr. Husseini has been recognized for many years as a leading tax attorney by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 U.S. and Best Lawyers in America, and as a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters. 

“We have one of the leading energy and infrastructure practices in the world with more than 315 lawyers across the U.S. and we see significant runway for future growth. Adding lawyers of Richard’s caliber will help us realize that vision,” said Andrew Calder, a corporate partner in Kirkland’s Houston office and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. 

Kirkland has ranked No. 1 for deal volume in Texas since 2017, according to mergermarket. Over the past 12 months, Kirkland’s Texas attorneys have handled over 100 M&A transactions valued at over $80 billion.

“Kirkland’s tax department has long been known as one of the finest in the world, and its energy and infrastructure practice is a juggernaut,” said Mr. Husseini. “I could not be more excited to become part of this phenomenal team and to grow the tax controversy practice at Kirkland. This represents an incredible opportunity as I start the next chapter of my career.”  

As a thought leader on tax disputes and energy tax issues, Mr. Husseini speaks frequently before the Tax Executives Institute, the American Petroleum Institute and the Parker C. Fielder Oil and Gas Tax Conference. He is also active in the community, serving on the board of directors of Houston Grand Opera and as a former director of Genesys Works and the St. Thomas More Society of Galveston-Houston.

Mr. Husseini holds degrees from the University of Chicago Law School and the University of Dallas, where he serves as chair of the board of trustees. He also served as law clerk to the Honorable Richard A. Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upon law school graduation. Mr. Husseini was formerly a partner at Baker Botts LLP, where he was chair of their tax department and a member of their executive committee.

With 150 attorneys around the globe, Kirkland’s tax practice has an international reputation for sophisticated counseling on multinational tax issues and transactions, as well as successful representation of clients in complex tax disputes. Ranging from the largest public company to the full spectrum of private equity and sponsor-initiated transactions, Kirkland’s tax attorneys are involved in the broadest scope of transactional matters in the marketplace. The Firm was named 2021 Tax Law Firm of the Year by U.S. News - Best Lawyers.