Speaker details

Biography

Chris is a partner at Aird & Berlis LLP in Toronto, Ontario. He has extensive experience advising on complex domestic and international tax controversy and litigation matters, and has successfully represented a wide range of clients, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, pension funds and ultra high net worth individuals. Chris’ strategic approach allows him to position his clients for effective negotiation with the tax authorities, with the objective of obtaining favourable results efficiently and avoiding litigation when possible. He has an exceptional track record, having successfully resolved most of his cases by consent judgment or at the administrative level. In addition to resolving tax disputes, his practice includes navigating the audit process, voluntary disclosures, requesting interest and penalty relief and other discretionary remedies, challenging collection and other administrative action taken by tax authorities, and applications for rectification of transactions that resulted in unintended tax consequences. Chris has been recognized in International Tax Review’s World Tax Guide for his expertise in Tax Controversy, and by The Legal 500. He has authored articles on a variety of tax issues in professional legal journals and presents at conferences and other events for tax executives and tax practitioners. Early in his legal career, Chris completed a judicial clerkship at the Tax Court of Canada. Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Chris was a senior partner at a national law firm affiliated with one of the Big 4 accounting firms, where he co-led the affiliated firm’s tax litigation practice in Toronto.