Sullivan & Worcester Tax Litigation Partner Richard Jones Named 2022 "Litigator of the Year" Finalist by The American Lawyer
Boston, MA - The American Lawyer has honored Richard Jones, leader of Sullivan & Worcester’s Tax Group, a "Litigator of the Year" finalist for 2022. The highly-competitive national award recognizes his impressive legal victories and the impact they have had, changing the legal landscape regarding economically important corporate tax issues. The finalists were recognized at The American Lawyer Industry Awards gala held on November 10 in New York City.
"It’s an overwhelming honor to be included among the seven named The American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Year," Jones said. "As a tax controversy litigator, I may not have been the most obvious choice so it’s incredibly gratifying to have my work acknowledged in this special way. The other finalists are all tremendously talented, nationally-recognized lawyers which makes this award even more meaningful. I want to offer my heartiest congratulations to Allison Brown, of Skadden, who was named the grand prize winner at this evening’s ceremony." History Makers and Innovators: The American Lawyer Industry Awards Winners Announced.
Jones, whose practice focuses on State and Local Tax controversies, has litigated matters that have national implications and ripple effects, effectively clarifying and altering taxation law across the country and changing how or whether state tax authorities may assess taxpayers, particularly those in the technology sphere.
"We’ve long recognized Rich’s remarkable leadership as a tax litigator," said David Nagle, co-managing partner at Sullivan. "His being named a finalist for The American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Year is a well-deserved honor. We are beyond proud of all that he contributes to the legal community, our firm, and our clients."
Jones’ recent legal wins include
- A precedent-setting case before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in which Jones prevailed on behalf of his clients in Oracle USA Inc. et al. v. Commissioner of Revenue. The matter raised important issues concerning the scope of the Commissioner’s authority. In May, 2021, the Court issued a strongly worded opinion in favor of Oracle, making headlines and impacting tax policy across the country.
- A win in Akamai Technologies v. Commissioner of Revenue expanded the ability of technology providers to qualify as manufacturing corporations and offered important guidance on the distinction between software and non-software transactions.
- In May, 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court based its decision in VAS Holdings & Investments LLC v. Commissioner of Revenue on issues first raised in an amicus brief drafted and filed by Jones on behalf of the American College of Tax Counsel.
In the past year, Jones has also been lauded as Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Lawyer of the Year 2021, Law360’s 2021 Tax MVP and Boston Magazine 2021 Top Lawyers, Tax.
About Sullivan
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a leading AmLaw 200 law firm with over 200 attorneys in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, DC. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s strategic vision, comfort with complexity and intense focus on results. As a global law firm, Sullivan’s reach extends beyond the United States. Sullivan has represented clients around the world and has a deep bench for working on a variety of matters and issues affecting clients globally.