Locke Lord Deepens Tax Controversy Capabilities and ‎Continues Expansion of Dallas Office With Addition of David Gair ‎as Partner

(DALLAS) February 20, 2023 – David Gair has joined Locke Lord as a Partner in the Firm’s Dallas office and will serve as Chair of its Tax Controversy Practice Group. His versatile experience will further enhance Locke Lord’s ability to advise on elaborate tax matters and adds depth to the Firm’s tax controversy team.

Gair, who joins Locke Lord from Gray Reed, where he served as leader of its tax controversy practice group, is Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow with the American College of Tax Counsel. He focuses his ‎practice on guiding businesses, high-net-worth individuals and tax professionals through all types of complex civil and criminal tax controversies, including audits, litigation, investigations and collection matters. In civil matters, Gair explores options available to prevent unanticipated tax ‎liabilities, either by resolving the controversy during the IRS audit process or in ‎litigation before the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims or federal ‎district and bankruptcy courts. In addition, Gair has experience in resolving administrative ‎controversies before state and local tax authorities, including disputes over income ‎tax, sales and use tax and franchise tax.‎

“David’s robust background in tax controversy work, particularly his experience at the local, state and federal levels, complements our existing services and benefits the increasing demand of our client base,” said Ed Razim, Chair of Locke Lord’s Tax Department. “We believe David will be an excellent fit for our innovative and collaborative culture and a great addition to our already strong business tax practice.”

“David’s addition reflects our continued focus on strategically growing our Dallas office with talented lawyers across key practice groups, and follows the recent additions of Drew Slone, Steve Bolden, and Jani Lotz,” added Locke Lord Dallas Office Managing Partner Elizabeth Mack. “His impressive tax practice will be a valuable asset to our Dallas office and the entire Firm, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Locke Lord.”

Gair spends substantial time giving back to the community and teaching the ‎next generation of lawyers. He has served as a Council member of the State Bar Tax Section and on the Board of the Dallas Bar Association Tax Section where he served as Chair. He currently teaches as an Adjunct ‎Professor at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law where he teaches the ‎intricacies of federal and state tax controversy.‎

“Locke Lord not only offers the optimal platform for my practice in order to best serve my clients, but it’s also a widely respected firm with deep roots throughout the state of Texas,” said Gair. “I am looking forward to working alongside this first-rate team that shares my vision of stellar client service and spirit of excellence.”

Locke Lord’s tax lawyers lead clients in all types of industries through the ever-changing maze of tax issues to help them efficiently manage their tax responsibilities and handle their global tax liabilities. The Firm’s lawyers offer advice on U.S. federal, ‎international, state and local tax matters, handling tax controversies at all levels and counseling ‎tax-exempt organizations. The team is knowledgeable and skilled on any tax issue clients face, ‎including structuring and negotiating corporate spin-off transactions or other tax-free or taxable ‎‎reorganizations.

###

About Locke Lord LLP
Locke Lord is a full-service law firm with global reach and 20 offices designed to meet clients’ needs in the United States and around the world. The Firm has a history that spans more than 135 years and is a leader in the middle market arena. Locke Lord focuses on providing the highest levels of commitment, quality and service to clients across its five Key Sectors: Energy and Infrastructure; Finance and Financial Services; Insurance and Reinsurance; Pharmaceutical; and Private Equity. In addition, the Firm advises clients across a broad spectrum of other industries, including fund formation, venture capital, health care, public finance, real estate, technology, cybersecurity and white collar, while providing a wealth of experience through its complex litigation, intellectual property, tax, regulatory and transactional teams.