Steve Kranz is a member of Sutherland’s Tax Practice Group, where he focuses on state tax controversy and tax policy matters. In December 2011, Steve was recognized by State Tax Notes as one of the Top 10 Tax Lawyers and as one of the Top 10 Individuals who influenced Tax Policy and Practice for 2011. State Tax Notes had previously identified Steve as one of the publication’s “People to Watch,” which highlights individuals who have already played an important role in state tax but will likely dominate the field in the next 10 years. Steve was described as “a leading representative of business interests in court as well as before the legislatures.”

Steve engages in all forms of taxpayer advocacy including audit defense and litigation, legislative monitoring, and the formation and leadership of taxpayer coalitions. He defends clients in tax audits through the appeal and litigation cycles, and is experienced in handling audits by the Multistate Tax Commission. In addition to traditional tax controversy matters, Steve represents clients before state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Governors Association, Multistate Tax Commission, and the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board.

Before joining the firm, Steve served as General Counsel to the Council On State Taxation (COST), a trade association based in Washington, D.C., which represents the interests of more than 600 of the nation’s largest taxpayers on issues of state and local taxation. He began his legal career as a trial lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he spent six years litigating tax cases in U.S. District Court. Steve then served as Chief Counsel for the District of Columbia’s Office of Tax and Revenue, where he represented the city on tax policy and administrative matters.