Pittsburgh – February 1, 2018 – Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce nationally recognized tax attorney James W. Forsyth has joined its highly regarded tax practice. Forsyth comes to the firm from Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC — the 30th attorney from that firm to join Cozen O’Connor in Pennsylvania in the past nine months — and will concentrate his practice on federal, state, and local corporate tax matters, including the taxation of pass-through entities.
Forsyth joins the firm as senior counsel and will anchor its federal, state, and local tax practice in Pittsburgh — the 20th attorney to join that office since its launch in May 2017. Further, he rounds out Cozen O’Connor’s all-star state tax team in Pennsylvania, joining Dan Schulder in the firm’s Harrisburg office, and Cheryl A. Upham, and Joseph C. Bright in Philadelphia.
Representing both publicly and privately held enterprises in federal tax planning and controversy matters, Forsyth will work with Cozen O'Connor's national as well as western Pennsylvania clients to analyze the federal, state and local income tax consequences of corporate transactions, including reorganizations, divisions, debt restructurings, and joint ventures. A substantial percentage of his practice will also involve resolving taxpayer disputes with the IRS and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Cozen O’Connor launched its full-service Pittsburgh office in May 2017 with three former Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC leaders, including corporate attorney Jeremy Garvey, who is now managing partner of the office. Earlier this month former Buchanan taxation and business planning attorney Gregg M. Kander joined the office. With the addition of Forsyth, the firm continues its expansion, both in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania overall.
“Western Pennsylvania businesses and corporate enterprises are growing at an unprecedented rate and many clients are facing complex federal and state tax issues that must be analyzed and resolved,” says Jeffrey A. Leonard, chair of the firm’s Business Law Section. “That’s Jim’s forte. He works closely with corporate entities to not only analyze but ultimately reduce their transaction-related tax exposures — thereby ensuring their continued growth."
Forsyth's recent track record includes helping a Fortune 1000 energy company reorganize its business into two public companies that are now listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). He has also assisted a Fortune 500 energy company with its reorganization, leading to an IPO and corporate listing on the NYSE. Jim has helped defeat a range of tax assessments asserted by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue against the developers of downtown Pittsburgh office building in foreclosure settings and against an international electronics manufacturer, also traded on the NYSE.
In addition to being named a “Top Rated Lawyer in Taxation,” Forsyth has earned an AV® Preeminent distinction, the highest available mark for professional excellence from Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings. In addition, he’s been recognized in Pittsburgh's Top- Rated Lawyers (2012-2017 editions) for Business, Corporate and Taxation law by The Legal Intelligencer; and has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in 2017 and 2018.
Forsyth has also authored BNA Tax Management Portfolio 765-4th "Stock Rights and Stock Dividends - Sections 305 and 306." BNA Tax Management Portfolios are often cited in federal tax cases as containing the most persuasive thinking on cutting-edge topics.
A native of Wheeling, W.Va., Forsyth earned his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida; his J.D. from West Virginia University; and his B.S. from West Liberty State College.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has more than 825 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor services its clients’ needs through 27 offices across two continents.
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