Ivins Phillips & Barker Inc

In the intricate world of federal taxation, employee benefits, and estate planning, the legal landscape in Washington, D.C., is particularly complex and dynamic. For businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and tax-exempt organizations within the District of Columbia, navigating the ever-evolving Internal Revenue Code and Department of Labor regulations requires highly specialized and deeply experienced legal counsel. While many firms offer a broad range of legal services, the nuanced nature of federal tax law often demands a dedicated focus to ensure compliance, optimize financial strategies, and resolve complex controversies effectively.

The advantage of engaging a local D.C. firm that exclusively specializes in these areas cannot be overstated. Such a firm possesses an unparalleled understanding of the federal agencies involved, the legislative processes that shape tax law, and the specific judicial precedents that apply in the nation's capital. This deep, localized expertise translates into more precise advice, innovative planning strategies, and robust representation in audits or litigation. Moreover, a D.C.-based firm offers the convenience of direct communication and a stronger attorney-client relationship, which is vital when dealing with sensitive financial and legal matters that impact significant assets or corporate structures.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive and informative overview of Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc., a distinguished law firm with a long-standing presence in Washington, D.C. We will explore their highly specialized practice areas, detail the accessibility of their central D.C. office, and highlight the distinctive features that set them apart in the field of federal tax law. By understanding the unique capabilities of Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc., D.C. businesses, individuals, and organizations can determine if this esteemed firm is the right partner for their most challenging and sophisticated tax, benefits, and estate planning needs.

Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. is prominently located at 1717 K St NW #600, Washington, DC 20006, USA. This address places the firm within the core of Washington, D.C.'s central business district, a prime and highly recognizable hub for legal, financial, and professional services. K Street NW is renowned for its concentration of law firms and businesses, making it a strategic and convenient location for clients.

The firm's location offers exceptional accessibility through Washington's extensive public transportation network. It is within very close walking distance of several key WMATA Metro stations. Both the Farragut North station (Red Line) and the Farragut West station (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines) are just a few blocks away, providing seamless connections from various parts of D.C., as well as from the surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, numerous WMATA Metrobus routes operate along K Street and adjacent avenues, offering broad bus service accessibility for clients.

For clients who prefer to drive, while street parking in a bustling downtown area can sometimes be challenging, there are typically multiple commercial parking garages available within a short walk of 1717 K Street NW. It is advisable for visitors to factor in potential parking time when planning their visit or to consider utilizing ridesharing services to mitigate any parking challenges. The highly central and well-connected location of Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. underscores their commitment to being easily reachable for their sophisticated clientele throughout the D.C. metropolitan area and beyond.

Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. distinguishes itself by focusing exclusively on federal tax, benefits and compensation, and estate and gift tax law. Their deep specialization allows them to provide comprehensive and nuanced counsel in these highly complex areas. Their services include:

• Federal Tax Law: This is a cornerstone of their practice, encompassing a wide array of services related to federal income tax for corporations, partnerships, and individuals. Specific areas include:
  • Structuring and negotiating U.S. tax aspects of domestic and cross-border business transactions (e.g., mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, financings, corporate restructurings).
  • Income tax accounting, including issues related to inventories, dollar-value LIFO, and uniform capitalization methods.
  • Federal tax policy and legislative matters.
  • Consolidated return matters.
  • Obtaining advance IRS rulings on complex transactions.
  • Serving as expert witnesses in commercial disputes focused on corporate tax issues.
• Tax Controversy and Litigation: The firm represents clients at all stages of tax disputes with governmental bodies, including:
  • Examinations and audits by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • Proceedings before the IRS Office of Appeals.
  • Tax litigation at all levels of the federal judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • They have particular success in controversies involving the application of administrative law to tax issues and the research tax credit.
• Employee Benefits (ERISA) and Executive Compensation Law: They provide extensive advice on all aspects of employee benefits, qualified retirement plans, and executive compensation, including:
  • Plan design, administration, and compliance issues (e.g., Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code).
  • Fringe benefits and employment tax matters (e.g., FICA, Section 274 deduction rules, Golden Parachute provisions under Section 280G).
  • Fiduciary issues.
  • Vendor negotiations for benefit plans.
  • Plan terminations and bankruptcy.
  • Health and welfare plans.
  • Benefits rulings and audit defense.
  • Assisting clients with federal and state tax implications of mobile workforces and cross-border employment tax issues.
• Estate and Gift Tax Law / Trusts and Estates: For high-net-worth individuals and families, the firm offers comprehensive estate planning services designed to:
  • Preserve assets and provide income for future generations.
  • Reduce unnecessary tax exposure.
  • Fund philanthropic causes.
  • Developing comprehensive individual and family estate plans, addressing domestic and international issues.
• Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law: They advise closely held companies and family businesses on various legal and tax matters specific to their unique structures and needs.

Their integrated approach ensures that clients receive thorough and forward-thinking advice across these interconnected legal disciplines.

Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. boasts a distinguished reputation and unique features that set them apart in the legal profession:

• Exclusive Specialization: The firm's exclusive focus on federal tax, benefits and compensation, and estate and gift tax law is a major highlight. This singular dedication allows their attorneys to achieve a depth of knowledge and proficiency unmatched by more generalist firms. They don't "pretend to be jacks-of-all-trades."
• Historical Foundation: Founded in 1935 by two of the original judges on the United States Tax Court, the firm has a rich history and deep roots in federal tax law, providing over eight decades of experience.
• Nationally Recognized Expertise: Their lawyers are consistently recognized as among the best and brightest in the country, with many bringing years of government service (e.g., from Treasury Department, Congressional committee staff) and corporate experience. They are frequently ranked by prestigious legal directories like Best Law Firms, Chambers USA, and Best Lawyers in America®.
• High-Profile Clientele: The firm's client roster includes numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and high-net-worth individuals, signifying their capacity to handle highly complex and significant matters.
• Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Despite their high-caliber expertise, Ivins, Phillips & Barker emphasizes extreme efficiency and practicality, aiming to keep client costs to a minimum. They do not use "unnecessarily large teams to solve simple problems."
• Client-Centric Partnership Model: The firm operates on a unique partnership model where partners do not compete for clients. All clients are considered clients of the firm as a whole, ensuring that clients are always directed to the best attorney for their specific issue, regardless of internal territoriality. This fosters a truly collaborative environment.
• Proactive and Forward-Thinking Advice: Beyond reactive problem-solving, the firm is committed to being forward-thinking and proactively bringing beneficial tax planning ideas to their clients' attention, whether for multinational corporations or individual taxpayers.
• Impeccable Client Service: Clients consistently praise the firm for its individualized attention, responsiveness, and dedication to understanding each client's business holistically to provide tailored and "spot-on" advice.

These features collectively underscore Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc.'s position as a premier and highly trusted legal advisor in its specialized fields.

Publicly available information regarding Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. does not specify any ongoing promotions or special offers in the traditional sense. As a highly specialized firm catering to sophisticated tax, benefits, and estate planning needs, particularly for large corporations, high-net-worth individuals, and tax-exempt organizations, their services are typically provided on a standard professional fee basis, often involving hourly rates or project-based agreements, reflecting the complexity and value of their counsel.

However, it is customary for firms of this caliber to offer initial consultations. While the terms (e.g., complimentary, reduced rate, or standard billing) are not explicitly stated, prospective clients are always encouraged to contact the firm directly to discuss their specific needs. This initial engagement provides an invaluable opportunity to:

• Outline the intricacies of your tax, benefits, or estate planning challenge.
• Assess the firm's deep expertise and confirm their alignment with your requirements.
• Gain preliminary insights into potential strategies and the firm's approach to your matter.
• Discuss their fee structure and billing practices to ensure complete transparency from the outset.

Their client testimonials highlight their "cost-conscious" approach and "extreme efficiency," suggesting a commitment to value even without explicit promotions. Engaging in a direct conversation is the best way to understand how their services can be tailored to your specific financial and legal objectives.

To inquire about legal services or to schedule a consultation with Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc., you can reach them through the following contact details:

• Address: 1717 K St NW #600, Washington, DC 20006, USA
• Phone: (202) 393-7600
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-393-7600

When contacting the office, it is advisable to have a clear, concise summary of your federal tax, employee benefits, or estate planning inquiry ready. This will help their highly specialized team understand the nature of your complex legal needs and ensure that your initial discussion is as productive and efficient as possible, connecting you with the attorney best suited to your specific issue.

For businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and high-net-worth individuals within Washington, D.C., facing complex federal tax, employee benefits, or estate and gift tax challenges, Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. is an exceptionally suitable and highly advantageous legal partner. Its prestigious location on K Street NW in the central business district offers unparalleled accessibility, making it convenient for D.C. locals to engage with a firm that is at the forefront of these specialized legal disciplines.

What truly sets Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. apart for the D.C. community is their exclusive and deep-rooted specialization. In a city that is a focal point for federal legislation and financial policy, having a legal team that concentrates solely on the intricacies of the Internal Revenue Code and Department of Labor regulations is critical. Their historical foundation, dating back to 1935 with judges from the U.S. Tax Court, underscores decades of focused expertise. This unparalleled knowledge allows them to offer not just reactive problem-solving but also proactive, forward-thinking advice that can significantly impact financial outcomes and ensure compliance.

The firm's reputation, built on national recognition, a prestigious clientele, and a commitment to efficiency and cost-effectiveness, means that D.C. residents and businesses can rely on top-tier legal talent without the inefficiencies often associated with larger, more generalized firms. Their unique "firm-as-a-whole" client approach ensures that clients always work with the most qualified attorney for their specific issue, fostering trust and delivering highly tailored solutions. For anyone in the District of Columbia navigating the daunting complexities of federal tax, compensation, or estate planning, Ivins, Phillips & Barker Inc. provides a profoundly capable, experienced, and trustworthy local resource.