Susan Seabrook - Winston & Strawn LLP

In the intricate landscape of federal tax law, businesses and corporations in Washington, D.C., frequently encounter complex challenges ranging from routine audits to high-stakes litigation. Navigating these highly technical and often contentious matters requires not only profound legal knowledge but also a strategic understanding of government processes and enforcement priorities. For companies, particularly those in regulated industries, seeking expert guidance to resolve intricate tax disputes, Susan Seabrook, a distinguished partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, stands out as a preeminent legal resource.

Susan Seabrook is widely recognized as a go-to tax controversy counsel, specializing in representing clients in all phases of administrative tax controversy and tax litigation. Her expertise is particularly sought after for complex procedural, technical, and industry-specific tax issues. What sets Ms. Seabrook apart is her invaluable background: prior to entering private practice, she served as a senior trial attorney for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel and as IRS Industry Counsel for the life insurance industry. This direct experience within the IRS provides her with a unique insider's perspective, allowing her to anticipate government strategies and craft highly effective resolution plans for her clients.

Ms. Seabrook also provides forward-thinking advice on risk-assessment, best practices, and critical privilege issues in the context of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional tax controversy matters. Her knowledgeable and thorough approach facilitates the effective resolution of disputes while meticulously considering business, regulatory, and reputational priorities. For businesses in Washington, D.C., dealing with significant tax challenges, Susan Seabrook offers strategic advice and helps craft global solutions that may even implicate parallel non-tax business disputes or regulatory investigations.

This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Susan Seabrook's practice within Winston & Strawn LLP, specifically highlighting why her expertise is invaluable for businesses in the District of Columbia. We will delve into her specialized services, the strategic advantages of her location within a leading global law firm in D.C., and the significant features that make her a trusted advisor for complex tax challenges.

Location and Accessibility

Susan Seabrook practices at the Washington, D.C. office of Winston & Strawn LLP, located at 1901 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. This prominent address places her within a highly accessible and central section of Washington D.C.'s business and legal district. Being part of a globally recognized firm like Winston & Strawn, in such a strategic location, provides clients with the benefits of a well-resourced legal team and a sophisticated professional environment that aligns with the high-stakes nature of tax controversy.

The office's location on L Street NW offers excellent accessibility for clients throughout the District of Columbia and the broader metropolitan area. It is conveniently situated within a short walking distance of several key Metro stations, including Farragut North (Red Line) and Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines). This robust public transportation network allows clients to easily reach the office from various parts of D.C., as well as from suburban communities in Maryland and Virginia that are connected by the Metro system. Numerous Metrobus routes also serve the L Street corridor, providing additional convenient transit options. For those who prefer to drive, while on-street parking can be challenging in downtown D.C., there are multiple commercial parking garages available in the immediate vicinity of 1901 L Street NW, offering secure solutions. The modern facilities of Winston & Strawn LLP ensure a professional and confidential setting for client meetings and consultations, reflecting the high standards of a major international law firm and fostering an environment conducive to resolving sensitive tax matters.

Services Offered

Susan Seabrook's practice at Winston & Strawn LLP is deeply specialized in tax controversy and litigation, providing comprehensive services to companies in regulated industries. Her expertise covers the full spectrum of tax disputes, from administrative phases to federal court litigation. Her key service areas include:

• Administrative Tax Controversy: Representing clients in all phases of administrative tax disputes with the IRS, including audits, appeals, and negotiation of settlements. This encompasses complex procedural and technical tax issues.
• Tax Litigation: Litigating tax controversy disputes in various federal litigation forums, including the United States Tax Court, federal district courts (collaborating with the Department of Justice on refund litigation), and appellate matters.
• Complex Procedural & Technical Tax Issues: Advising on highly intricate tax issues that often involve specific industry regulations or unique transactional structures.
• Cross-Border and Multi-Jurisdictional Tax Controversy: Counseling clients on tax disputes that span international borders, including issues related to information sharing practices and treaty interpretation. She has hands-on experience with simultaneous audits conducted with foreign tax administrations (e.g., Japanese National Tax Administration).
• Risk Assessment & Best Practices: Guiding clients on proactive measures to assess tax risks, implement best practices, and manage privilege issues related to tax matters.
• Industry-Specific Tax Issues: Specializing in the unique tax challenges faced by companies in the healthcare, energy & infrastructure, and technology industries, with a particular focus on multinational insurance and reinsurance businesses.
• White Collar & Government Investigations (Tax-Related): Providing counsel on sensitive governmental investigations involving tax and financial matters, including those that may run parallel to non-tax business disputes or regulatory inquiries.
• Tax Aspects of Mergers & Acquisitions: Advising on the tax implications of corporate transactions, particularly within the insurance industry.

Features / Highlights

Susan Seabrook's professional profile is distinguished by several key features and highlights that underscore her exceptional expertise and suitability for clients facing complex tax challenges in Washington, D.C.:

• IRS Insider Experience: A paramount advantage is her significant prior experience as a senior trial attorney for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and IRS Industry Counsel for the life insurance industry. This direct, hands-on government experience provides her with invaluable insight into IRS procedures, strategies, and priorities, enabling her to offer highly effective and practical guidance to her clients. She received multiple IRS Special Act Awards and Performance Awards for her work.
• Consistently Top-Ranked: Ms. Seabrook is consistently recognized by leading legal directories such as The Best Lawyers in America® (in Tax Law and Insurance Law for multiple years), Legal 500 US (for US taxes: contentious), and Lawdragon's "500 Leading Global Tax Lawyers" and "500 Leading Global Litigators" (for International Arbitration & Litigation, esp. Tax). These accolades reflect consistent praise from peers and clients for her deep expertise and effectiveness.
• Focus on Regulated Industries: Her particular emphasis on advising companies in highly regulated sectors like insurance, healthcare, energy & infrastructure, and technology, demonstrates a nuanced understanding of their unique tax landscapes.
• Strategic Problem Solver: Clients benefit from her ability to provide "strategic advice and helps craft global solutions to complex tax challenges that may implicate parallel non-tax business disputes or regulatory investigations." This holistic approach is crucial for large corporations.
• Frequent Speaker and Author: Ms. Seabrook is a frequent speaker on IRS practice, controversy, and tax litigation matters, and is the author of "Insurance Tax Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions," a part of the Corporate Tax Practice Series. She also serves as an adjunct professor teaching Taxation of Financial Institutions at Georgetown University Law Center, highlighting her thought leadership and commitment to the field.
• Leadership in Professional Organizations: Her roles as immediate past president of the Insurance Tax Conference and former chair of the American Bar Association Tax Section's Insurance Companies Committee underscore her standing and influence within the tax legal community.
• Admissions: She is admitted to practice in both the District of Columbia and Arizona, enhancing her local relevance.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly specialized attorney practicing within a major international law firm like Winston & Strawn LLP, Susan Seabrook's services, like those of most top-tier legal professionals, do not typically involve traditional consumer-style "promotions" or "special offers." Her value proposition is rooted in her deep expertise, extensive experience, and proven ability to navigate highly complex and critical tax controversy and litigation challenges. Clients engage her for her specialized knowledge, strategic counsel, and track record of successful outcomes in high-stakes tax matters.

Prospective clients, particularly corporations and entities in regulated industries, seeking her specialized guidance are encouraged to contact Winston & Strawn LLP directly. During an initial consultation, the scope of legal work, fee structures, and engagement terms will be discussed in detail. The firm's commitment to delivering superior client service and effective solutions, backed by Ms. Seabrook's distinguished background, serves as the primary "offer" to discerning clients.

Contact Information

For businesses and legal departments in Washington, D.C., or those with complex tax controversy, litigation, or compliance needs, Susan Seabrook at Winston & Strawn LLP can be reached at the following contact details:

Address: 1901 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA

Phone: (202) 282-5220

Mobile Phone: +1 202-282-5220

Reaching out to the office by phone is the most direct way to discuss your specific tax controversy needs, inquire about scheduling a consultation, and learn how Ms. Seabrook and the comprehensive resources of Winston & Strawn LLP can provide the strategic guidance your organization requires. All inquiries are handled with the utmost professionalism and strict confidentiality.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For corporations, financial institutions, and other businesses within the District of Columbia facing significant and complex tax controversies, IRS audits, or tax litigation, Susan Seabrook at Winston & Strawn LLP is an exceptionally suitable and highly valuable legal resource. Her physical presence at 1901 L St NW places her directly in Washington D.C.'s core business and legal district, offering unparalleled accessibility via the city's extensive public transportation system for local clients. This strategic location ensures that specialized legal counsel is readily available for D.C.-based entities navigating the often-intimidating federal tax landscape.

What truly makes Ms. Seabrook ideal for locals is her unparalleled "insider" knowledge, stemming from her significant tenure as a trial attorney and industry counsel for the IRS. For a city that is a primary hub for federal tax policy and enforcement, having a lawyer with direct experience from within the IRS provides an immense strategic advantage. Whether a D.C. company needs to navigate a multi-billion dollar IRS proposed adjustment, resolve a complex cross-border tax dispute, or simply ensure proactive compliance, Ms. Seabrook offers the precise, strategic, and deeply informed guidance required. Her ability to deliver effective resolution while being mindful of business, regulatory, and reputational concerns, combined with the comprehensive resources of a global law firm, makes her and Winston & Strawn LLP an indispensable partner for the D.C. business community facing tax challenges.