Gary M. Slavett is a principal of Holtz, Slavett & Drabkin, A Professional Law Corporation. Gary’s practice focuses on tax controversy matters including audit representation, administrative appeals, tax litigation, and criminal tax defense.  Gary frequently represents his clients before the United States Tax Court, Internal Revenue Service, California Franchise Tax Board, State Board of Equalization, and the Employment Development Department.

Gary was a Senior Trial Attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel.  As an IRS attorney, Gary represented the IRS in U.S. Tax Court and provided legal advice to IRS personnel.  Gary was assigned to, and advised, two groups of Criminal Special Agents with respect to the development and referral of criminal tax cases.  Gary was designated the IRS Chief Counsel liaison to the Los Angeles Office of the Taxpayer Advocate where it was his responsibility to provide legal advice to the Los Angeles Taxpayer Advocate.  Gary was also designated Acting Associate Area Counsel to act as the direct supervisor to trial attorneys and paralegals.  Gary’s litigation practice at the IRS included assignments to high profile cases and covered numerous substantive areas of tax law including income taxes of individuals, partnerships, and corporations, estate tax, interest abatement, innocent spouse, employee classification, and collection due process.

After leaving the IRS, Gary joined Deloitte & Touche’s Tax Controversy Group in Los Angeles.  At Deloitte, Gary represented Deloitte’s clients before the IRS and state taxing authorities.  Clients included Fortune 500 companies from the banking, healthcare, and toy industries, a professional sports team, a popular television personality, and regional real estate and construction firms.

Gary received an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, a J.D. from the University of San Diego School Law, and a B.S. in Business Administration, cum laude, with a major in accounting from the University of Arizona (Tucson). Gary has been an adjunct professor of tax law at Golden Gate University School of Tax where he taught Advanced Federal Income Tax and Tax Research.  Gary currently teaches continuing education courses to California registered tax preparers.