Practice Areas:

Tax Controversy (Audits and Collection Matters)

Tax Controversy (Criminal Tax)

Tax Litigation (state and federal courts)

Probate and Estate Planning

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Middle Tennessee State University (2000)

Doctor of Jurisprudence, The University of Memphis School of Law (2004). 

Master of Laws in Taxation, The University of Florida School of Law (2007).   

Professional Achievements:

MidSouth Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (2012 - 2016) in the fields of taxation, white collar criminal defense, and estate planning/probate.

“Top Attorney” in the areas of Tax and Income Tax Resolution, as reported by CityView Magazine©.

Three-year appointment (2013 through 2015) to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (), assigned to represent citizens of the State of Tennessee on the Tax Forms & Publications Project Committee.

Training:

Mr. Butler has attended numerous courses throughout the United States to keep up to date on the latest tax enforcement initiatives and priorities: 

ALI / ABA How to Handle a Tax Controversy at the IRS and In Court (June 2010)

IRS Nationwide Tax Forum, Atlanta, Georgia (June 2011)

ABA International Tax Enforcement Conference, New York, New York (November 2012)

U.S. Sentencing Commission, Annual National Seminar On The Federal Sentencing Guidelines, New Orleans, Louisiana (June 2012)

ABA 30th Annual National Institute on Criminal Tax Fraud and the Third Annual National Institute on Tax Controversy, Las Vegas, Nevada (December 2013)

New York University School of Continuing & Professional Studies, 6th Annual Tax Controversy Forum, New York, New York (June 2014 - 2017)

Memberships: 

Mr. Butler has been admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Tennessee, the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Knoxville Bar Association

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

American Bar Association (Tax Section)

Knoxville Estate Planning Council

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (Vice Chair, Tax Forms and Publications Committee)

Recent Presentations:

Mr. Butler is a frequent speaker to various businesses and organizations on estate planning and tax controversy matters:

University of Tennessee, Singleton B. Wolfe Memorial Tax Conference, Asserting Privilege When Representing Taxpayers – Distinct Roles of Attorney & Accountant (2012)

Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Appalachian Chapter, Tax Controversy and Procedure Updates (August 2012)

Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Appalachian Chapter, Introduction to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (August 2013)

Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Appalachian Chapter, The Eggshell Audit: Handling an IRS Audit with Fraud Potential (August 2014)