Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP

In the complex and ever-evolving world of federal taxation, few areas demand more specialized expertise than the taxation of insurance companies and their products. For entities navigating this intricate landscape in Washington, D.C., Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP stands as a distinguished and highly focused legal resource. Since its founding in 1961 by Fred C. Scribner (a former Undersecretary of the Treasury) and Leonard W. Hall (a former Congressman), the firm has evolved to become one of the country's preeminent boutique firms specializing exclusively in insurance tax law. They are often characterized as the paradigm of a "boutique" law firm, uniquely structured and equipped to handle the most challenging insurance tax matters. Their clientele primarily comprises large corporate groups, both domestic and foreign, chiefly within the insurance and financial services industries, as well as state insurance departments. Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP provides comprehensive services encompassing tax planning, tax controversies, litigation, and consulting, with a consistent goal of delivering accurate, cost-effective, and responsive service. As one satisfied client noted, while their services may not be "cheap," the money spent is undeniably "worth it" due to the precise, candid, and effective guidance provided.

Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP is centrally located at 1030 15th St NW STE 700, Washington, DC 20005, USA. This address places the firm in a prime and highly accessible part of downtown Washington, D.C., making it convenient for clients throughout the District and the wider metropolitan area. 15th Street NW is a significant thoroughfare in the city, known for its concentration of professional services, corporate offices, and proximity to federal agencies.

The firm's location boasts excellent public transportation connectivity. It is within a short walking distance of several Metro stations, including McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines) and Farragut North (Red Line), both offering extensive reach across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines) is also a reasonable walk away, providing even more options for seamless travel. Numerous Metrobus routes also serve the 15th Street corridor, further enhancing accessibility. For those who prefer to drive, while downtown D.C. parking can sometimes be competitive, there are various public parking garages available in the surrounding blocks, offering convenient options for clients. This strategic and well-connected location ensures that Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP is readily available to its specialized clientele, facilitating direct communication and in-person meetings when necessary.

Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP maintains a highly specialized tax practice with a deep focus on the federal taxation of insurance companies and their products. Their comprehensive services cater to the unique needs of this industry:

• Federal Taxation of Insurance Companies and Products: Expertise in the complex federal income tax issues affecting life, property/casualty, and health insurance companies, as well as their customers and financial products.
• Tax Planning and Consulting: Providing strategic tax advice to insurance companies, their affiliates, and clients on issues involving insurance and financial products, corporate transactions, and reinsurance.
• Tax Controversies and Litigation: Representing clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including administrative resolutions and litigation, often on industry-wide issues. This includes challenging or securing regulations and rulings from the Treasury Department and the National Office of the IRS.
• Representation of State Insurance Departments: Advising state insurance departments on various tax matters, including insolvencies, demutualizations, and non-profit conversions.
• Reinsurance and Corporate Transactions: Providing counsel on the federal tax implications of reinsurance agreements and other corporate transactions specific to the insurance industry.
• Tax Accounting and Reserves: Addressing complex tax accounting rules applicable to insurers, including issues related to tax contingency reserves and the treatment of various types of reserves (e.g., mortality and morbidity tables).
• Foreign Tax Matters: Advising on the federal tax implications for foreign insurance entities operating in the U.S. or U.S. entities with foreign operations.
• Insolvencies of Insurance Companies: Providing specialized tax counsel during the insolvency proceedings of insurance companies.
• Issuance of Tax Opinions: Providing expert tax opinions on various complex insurance tax matters.
• Expert Testimony: Offering expert testimony in litigation or administrative proceedings related to insurance tax issues.
• Technical Litigation Support: Collaborating with accounting firms and other law firms to provide specialized insurance tax expertise and technical litigation support.
• Independent Second Look: Offering an independent review of tax advice provided by in-house tax personnel, public accounting firms, or other law firm consultants.

Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP distinguishes itself through a series of significant features and highlights that underscore its leadership and expertise in the highly specialized field of insurance tax law:

• Deep Specialization: Since 1965, the firm has exclusively focused on insurance tax, making them one of the few boutique legal firms in the country with such a concentrated and profound understanding of this niche area. This specialization is their core strength, ensuring unparalleled expertise.
• Former Government Attorneys: A defining characteristic is that every partner at the firm has previously been employed in at least one federal agency responsible for tax matters. This includes the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Tax Legislative Counsel, the Chief Counsel's Office of the IRS, the Staff of Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation, and the Tax Division of the Department of Justice. This insider perspective provides invaluable insight into how tax agencies operate and fosters strong working relationships with government personnel.
• Long-Standing Reputation and Client Trust: The firm was founded by highly respected individuals, and has represented the insurance industry for over 50 years. They have served as lead tax counsel on many significant industry tax projects and litigation, earning a reputation for integrity and effectiveness.
• Recognized Thought Leaders: Their attorneys are nationally recognized for their tax expertise, particularly relating to insurance companies and their products. They frequently speak and write on tax topics, and have served by appointment on high-level advisory groups such as the IRS Commissioner's Advisory Group.
• Comprehensive Expertise Across Tax Disciplines: Their practice encompasses litigation, tax controversies, tax planning and consulting, and the issuance of tax opinions, demonstrating a holistic approach to insurance tax law.
• Efficient and Responsive Service: Clients praise the firm for providing "accurate, cost-effective and responsive service." As one review highlights, their senior attorneys, like Conor Dirks, are "concise, candid and accurate" and maintain excellent communication.
• Proprietary Tax Issues Monitoring Service: The firm offers a unique subscription service providing up-to-date information on federal income tax developments affecting life insurance companies, and separately for property/casualty and health insurance companies. This includes quarterly conference calls/meetings and reports, offering a proactive approach to client awareness.
• Expert Collaborators: They frequently collaborate with accounting firms and other law firms, providing technical litigation support, insurance tax expertise, or expert testimony, and offer independent "second looks" at tax advice.

Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP, as a highly specialized and elite boutique law firm, does not publicly advertise traditional "promotions" or widespread "special offers" in the sense of discounted rates for all new clients. Their value proposition is rooted in their deep expertise and the high quality of their specialized services, which clients deem "worth it."

However, the firm does offer a unique and valuable service that could be considered a form of specialized offering for its niche clientele:

• Tax Issues Monitoring Service: The firm provides a specialized subscription service for an annual fee. This service offers clients up-to-date information on federal income tax developments relevant to insurance companies. Clients can choose to receive updates tailored for life insurance companies or for property/casualty and health insurance companies, or both. This service includes quarterly conference calls/meetings and quarterly reports summarizing developments on selected issues. They also offer monitoring of specific, client-requested federal income tax issues outside the general service. This proactive monitoring service helps clients stay ahead of regulatory changes, which is invaluable in a highly regulated industry.

One client also specifically noted, "There were no surprises on billing," which, while not a discount, signifies transparency and predictability in their fee structure, a significant benefit for corporate clients managing legal budgets. Prospective clients are encouraged to contact the firm directly to discuss their specific tax needs and to inquire about their engagement process and fee arrangements.

For insurance companies, financial services groups, and state insurance departments in Washington, D.C., seeking unparalleled expertise in federal insurance tax law, Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP is ready to provide strategic counsel.

• Address: 1030 15th St NW STE 700, Washington, DC 20005, USA
• Phone: (202) 331-8585
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-331-8585

You can reach out to Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP via phone during business hours to discuss your specific insurance tax matters. Their prestigious downtown D.C. location provides a convenient option for in-person meetings, ensuring direct and efficient communication with their highly specialized legal team.

For organizations and professionals in the District of Columbia deeply involved in the insurance and financial services industries, Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal partner. Its strategic location on 15th Street NW offers premier accessibility in the heart of D.C.'s business and legal district, making it convenient for in-house counsel, executives, and other stakeholders to access their specialized services.

What truly sets this firm apart for D.C. locals, particularly those navigating the complex world of insurance taxation, is its unparalleled specialization and the deep governmental experience of its attorneys. In a city that serves as the nexus of federal tax policy and regulation, having a firm where every partner has worked in a federal tax agency provides an invaluable insider's perspective. This expertise, combined with their decades of experience as lead tax counsel for major insurance industry projects, ensures that D.C. clients receive the most accurate, candid, and effective legal strategies. As one client attested, despite the cost, the service is "worth every penny" due to the clear outcomes and constant communication. For any D.C.-based insurance company, financial services firm, or state insurance department facing intricate federal tax issues, Scribner Hall & Thompson LLP offers a rare combination of specialized knowledge, governmental insight, and proven reliability, making them an indispensable resource in the nation's capital.